Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques

Morning Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis—a condition that is sometimes also called heel spur syndrome when a spur is present. Heel pain may also be due to other causes, such as a stress fracture,tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation,or, rarely, a cyst. Because there are several potential causes, it is important to have heel pain properly diagnosed.A podiatric foot and ankle surgeon is best trained to distinguish between all the possibilities and determine the underlying source of your heel pain.

Treatment of plantar fasciitis begins with first-line strategies, which you can begin at home:

• Stretching exercises. Exercises thatstretch out the calf muscles help ease pain and assist with recovery.
• Avoid going barefoot. When you walk without shoes, you put undue strain and stress on your plantar fascia.
• Ice. Putting an ice pack on your heel for 10 minutes several times a day helps reduce inflammation.
• Limit activities. Cut down on extended physical activities to give your heel a rest.
• Shoe modifications. Wearing supportive shoes that have good arch support and a slightly raised heel reduces stress on the plantar fascia. Your shoes should provide a comfortable environment for the foot.
• Medications. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),such as ibuprofen, may help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Lose weight. Extra pounds put extra stress on your plantar fascia.If you still have pain after several weeks, see your podiatric surgeon,who may add one or more of these approaches:
• Padding and strapping. Placing pads in the shoe softens the impact of walking. Strapping helps support the foot and reduce strain on the fascia.
• Orthotic devices. Custom orthotic devices that fit into your shoe help correct the underlying structural abnormalities causing the plantar fasciitis.
• Injection therapy. In some cases, corticosteroid injections are used to help reduce the inflammation and relieve pain.
• Removable walking cast. A removable walking cast may be used to keep your foot immobile for a few weeks to allow it to rest and heal.
• Night splint. Wearing a night splint allows you to maintain an extended stretch of the plantar fascia while sleeping. This may help reduce the morning pain experienced by some patients.
• Physical therapy. Exercises and other physical therapy measures may be used to help provide relief.

Although most patients with plantar fasciitis respond to non-surgical treatment, a small percentage of patients may require surgery. If,after several months of non-surgical treatment, you continue to have heel pain, surgery will be considered.Your podiatric foot and ankle surgeon will discuss the surgical options with you and determine which approach would be most beneficial for you.