Treating Foot Pain

Treating foot pain has become a fairly common routine at our clinic. But the most important thing is that the results are excellent. Patients with typical plantar fasciitis usually respond with no more pain. Several individuals with nearly half-inch long heel spurs can now walk without pain, when before they could barely take a step or stand because of the pain.

When the ligaments of the foot become stressed and inflammed, they cause terrific pain. Sometimes constant or chronic irritation can generate calcium deposits that result in spurs on the bottom or back of the heel. Understanding the complex biomechanical function of the many bones of the foot and how that relates to the pain and inflammation is important to treating your condition.

Dr. Wilson is an expert at managing foot pain problems. If you are experiencing pain at the bottoms of your feet when you stand, or heel pain when walking or climbing steps then give us a call. We may be able to help!

On the bottom of your foot there is a broad, thin ligament called the plantar fascia, that extends from the bottom of your heel, across your arch to the base of your toes. This ligament helps suport the structure and arch of your foot. But when this ligament becomes inflammed and irritated, it can create a tremendous amount of pain that is typically felt on the bottom or arch of the foot. This is commonly referred to as plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar ligament).

Symptoms range from sharp pain to burning on the bottom (plantar surface) or in the arch of the foot and is normally experienced while standing, especially on hard surfaces or for prolonged periods.

Some providers may suggest supports such as splints or orthotics. While orthotics are very effective when properly prescribed, as we provide, the most successful results come from first restoring proper joint function and stabalized alignment of the foot and then having our orthotics cast. This is how we can prescribe your orthotics more accurately. Otherwise, the supports haven't corrected anything and may be less or sometimes not effective.

Ultimately the leading cause of irritation and inflammation of the soft tissues of the foot is faulty joint function leading to improper nerve signalling and increased tension. Get your feet restored properly so they are able to heal and function without pain!

Heel spurs are actually a calcification of the plantar fascia, a ligament which extends from the heel toward the front of the foot. On X-ray, a heel spur (on the bottom of the heel) looks like a spike that points from the heel toward the front of the foot. But acutally, the spur is simply an accumulation of calcium within the ligament. In otherwords, it is actually grown into the ligament and thus not something that can easily be removed or "excised" from the foot.

The heel bone (calcaneus) is the largest bone in the foot, and projects backward beyond the leg bones to provide an attachment site for the muscles of the calf. The heel bone bears all of the body's weight with each step. The stress on it and its associated structures is tremendous. Painful heels and heel spur syndrome are usually secondary to biomechanical faults. Biomechanical faults from injuries, or conditions such as pronated or flat feet, other arch deformities and tight Achilles tendon cause a great amount of stress on the plantar fascia. Other causes of stress on the heel and plantar fascia include recent gain in weight, high impact athletic activities, and prolonged standing or walking.

In some cases, micro-traumatic or ‘stress’ fracture of the heel may be a contributing factor in the development of a heel spur as a result of an injury.

Once again, regardless of the cause, restoring optimal biomechanical joint function of the foot is necessary for releif of tension and normalizing nerve function which will help to reduce pain and inflammation of the affected tissues.

This is exactly what we treat, so give us a call and see when we can provide better relief from your foot or heel pain!