Heel pain is often associated with Plantar Fasciitis condition. It is also called –

• Heel spurs
• Policeman’s heel
• Heels spur syndrome
• Plantar heel bursitis

These are terms used broadly to describe the heel pain intensity beneath the foot sole. It can be caused due to several reasons. Dr. Sima is the best foot and ankle specialist Orange County, who can help you diagnose the root cause. 

What is heel pain or Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fascia is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes. When the fascia tissue tightens it induces pain. Putting weight on your foot or walking is painful because due to loss of elasticity the tissue cannot stretch. 

Plantar Fasciitis causes

Some of the common heel pain causes are –

• Faulty foot structure like high-arched or overly flat feet.
• Wearing non-supportive footwear can increase pressure on the foot heel, which strains the plantar fascia tissue.
• Some occupations need people to stay on their feet for a long time like athletes, construction workers, sales reps, and more.
• Obese and overweight people are prone to plantar fascia because more pressure can weaken the plantar fascia tissue. 
• People between 40 to 60 years are at risk of developing heel pain.
• Having a tight Achilles tendon increases the risk of plantar fasciitis. 

The latest research has reported that the Plantar Fasciitis condition hardly occurs in isolation. It can be in conjunction with bone bruising, tendinosis, and bursitis. Heel stress fractures also cause similar symptoms. So, it is wise to have the root cause of heel pain diagnosed by a local podiatrist. 

How will a podiatrist treat Plantar Fasciitis?

Under the program called Wound Care Orange County, the podiatrist will examine the foot and study your medical history. The process helps the podiatrist rule out every possible cause of heel pain besides plantar fasciitis. The podiatrist can recommend diagnostic imaging tests to differentiate the heel pain type. Sometimes the heel spurs are not sourced by Plantar Fasciitis and if they are then the condition is established as heel spur syndrome or Plantar Fasciitis. 

First stage 

• The first stage is to offload forces causing injury to plantar fascia tissue. Low-dye tapping is a temporary method to offload the force while walking or running. The tape is used for 2 – 3 days simultaneously before replacing. This elastic taping helps to reduce swelling and pain. 
• Patients can even rest for some days like no running or jogging but use non-weight bearing workouts to keep fit. Wear jogging shoes with a little heel to balance the sole height difference. Wear footwear with cushioned soles. There may be a need to wear customized foot orthotics because it can help to reduce the pressure on the plantar fascia when foot function is initiated. 
• Stretching the Achilles tendon and Plantar Fascia is crucial across the day to offload pressure on plantar fascia tissues. Include hamstring and calf muscle stretches. Use a cooled rolling device beneath the plantar fascia 3 times a day for stretching it until pain decreases. Night splints available in the form of socks will help to place a little stretch on the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. The socks reduce the hassle of wearing the device in bed. 

Second stage

• Gradually, you will have to get back to desired activity level allowing the plantar fascia to handle the load when you run or walk for a long time. 
• Continue to wear the orthotic shoes and the workouts of stretching the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia to decrease the associated overloading risk factor. 
• Standing for long hours on the feet for 8+ hours daily can reduce the ankle joint dorsiflexion. Besides, feet that pronate beyond the point also need to be controlled with foot orthotics.
• Podiatrists make sure that at this stage, the patient’s core stability musculature is addressed and the changed pelvic position can handle the load placed on the heel area.

Final stage

The Orange County Wound Care Program is designed to treat Plantar Fasciitis naturally with a biological reconstructive approach to correct the damaged tissue. If pain is unbearable then non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines are prescribed. 

Chronic pain when you stand can be treated with non-surgical techniques.

• Extra Corporeal Shock Wave therapy – A special probe delivers pressure waves that travel beneath the skin, reach damaged tissue, and stimulate the natural healing process. New blood vessels are formed and the supply of blood and oxygen is increased, which causes healthy cell regeneration and a decrease in pain. It takes 3 to 4 visits to notice the results. 
• Platelet-rich plasma injections – PRP stimulates the natural regeneration process of the tissue via enhancing growth factors in damaged tissue. Blood flow is increased towards the injured tissue. Ultrasound imaging is used to guide the accuracy of inoculating PRP injection. 
• Ultrasonic tissue repair – A tiny needle is inserted for breaking and the damaged tissue is suctioned out. The process is performed under ultrasound guidance.
• Micro-mobile compression – Diabetic patients benefit from advanced foot compression. The footwear includes a micro-mobile compression pump, which claims to enhance plantar sensation, balance, low extremity skin perfusion, and low extremity edema. 

The surgical method is the last resort. The aim of the surgery will be to elongate the plantar fascia and relieve the pressure. The plantar fascia is cut close to heels. Scar tissue will fill the gap from the cut. Recovery time takes more than a month depending on the severity of the surgery.