Taking a closer look at Heel Spur Syndrome at this Brandon Podiatry Clinic
Late last year, the Gentle Foot Care Clinic, which has offices both in Brandon Florida and Zephyrhills Florida, gave you some information about Plantar Faciitis. Dr. Rajnish Manohar wanted you to know about a related condition called Heel Spur Syndrome. Both conditions are painful and might be just the reason to stop by for an office visit. Read about the symptoms and signs, the causes, and the treatment for it.
Signs and symptoms of heel spur syndrome frequently consist of discomfort early in the morning or after just waking up from a good night of sleep when you first begin to walk. It might also include severe pain after standing or walking long distances, particularly on hard surfaces. Pain is usually greater for those who wear flat soled shoes. A higher heel might alleviate the discomfort because the foot is arched. The type of pain is usually a sharp pain, but it can also be a dull ache and it could be just be at the bottom of the heel, or might also travel along the arch of the foot.
Heel discomfort may be caused by other types of conditions such as tendonitis, Haglund’s Deformity, Stress Fracture, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, or low back issues. In children , there is a condition known as Sever’s Disease, which has similar symptoms. Dr. Manohar will determine whether or not you suffer from Heel Spur Syndrome by asking about your symptoms accompanied by x-ray exams.
The structure of your foot is the leading cause of Heel Spur Syndrome, which could be a genetic trait in your family. Other aspects such as a dramatic increase in your weight, injury, inappropriate shoes, or various activities may alter the way your foot operates also. If one leg is longer or shorter than the other, this may make your foot function improperly and be the reason for the heel spur syndrome. Inappropriate shoes might be ones that are new or ones that are worn and do not offer excellent support. The higher priced shoes do not indicate it’s a much better shoe. Pronation is a term used to describe a foot which allows the arch to fall more than regular and permits the fascia along all-time low of the foot to put a tighter pull or a various angle of pull on the heel bone. In time, the constant pull of the tight fascia can cause the bone to enlarge and form a spur. It is not the heel spur that triggers the pain directly. The spur might cause pressure against a nearby nerve causing a neuritis, or a bursa causing a bursitis.
One way to treat heel spur syndrome is by keeping the fascia extended by working out your foot, so Dr. Manohar might also recommend physical therapy. One of the first things he will recommend will most likely be some different, more supportive footwear or an insert for your current shoes. In extreme cases, where regular inserts won’t work, he can create a custom orthotic for you, especially for cases where extreme pronation is present. A heel lift may be made use of if you have a leg length inconsistency. Medications might include anti-inflammatory oral medications or an injection of medication and local anesthetic to minimize the swelling and lower discomfort. If your condition cannot be treated with any of these measures, Dr. Manohar might also refer you to a surgeon to fix the structural problem of your foot.
Surgery to correct for heel spur syndrome is a common procedure which separates the plantar fascia partially from its attachment to the calcaneous (heel bone). This part of the surgical treatment is called a plantar fasciotomy due to the fact the fascia is cut. This is frequently done through an open treatment as any heel spur or bursa can be removed at the same time. If the spur is not removed throughout the surgery, it will most likely be just as successful, as the huge spur is not the true issue.
As mentioned previously, prevention may be as simple as finding more supporting shoes. It is recommended to never ever go barefoot or wear a flat soled shoe. There are many over the counter arch supports that give increased support for your feet. Typically when there is extreme pronation the Achilles Tendon could become smaller from a lack of use. The shortened Achilles Tendon is called an equinus defect. By keeping this tendon stretched it may reduce some of the stress in the foot. When you wake in the morning and before you stand up, extend your Achilles and the plantar fascia. Extending the the fascia can be accomplished with simple exercises like spelling the alphabet with your foot or by rolling an object on the floor. Ice may work well when you are in severe pain. If you have pain more frequently and for longer periods, heat therapy may improve the condition.
If you are suffering from heel pain, please contact Dr. Rajnish Manohar at his Brandon office (813) 502-5904 or in Zephyrhills (813) 782-3233. Alternately, you can submit a request by clicking the button below to schedule an appointment.
