Plantar fasciitis or “heel spur syndrome” which we feel as pain in the arch and bottom of the heel is the result of multiple factors.  These factors may have to do with increased activity, the type of shoes worn, body weight, a short Achilles tendon to name a few.  The onset of pain typically occurs for no apparent reason, which the patient can remember.  Most people wait several months prior to seeking treatment so the condition has become chronic by the time you come to see us.  You can think of this condition as a sprain in the arch of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the connective tissue that runs form the base of the toes, across the ach of the foot, to wear it inserts to the heel bone.  As you know, treatments for a sprain is to rest the area long enough to allow it to heal.  This is challenging because we keep walking right on the area of injury. (The average person walks 4 miles a day or about 115,000 miles in a lifetime.)

X-rays are usually taken when a patient presents with this condition. A heel spur may be seen on the x-ray, yet it is not the cause of the pain. Inflammation of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles around the heel is the source of the pain. This inflammation causes the formation of a heel spur, not vice versa.

Successful treatment for relief of arch and heel pain is directed towards decreasing the inflammation and strain of the plantar fascia. The following list is our current recommendations for treatment: