Transcript

Voice- The Bodyshop with Jennifer Black and Dr. Steve is brought to you by Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy.

Jennifer Black -Good evening, welcome to The Body Shop, Our topic is Heel Spurs! This sounds painful.

Dr. Steve - It is painful, which is why the name heel spurs has caught on. Plantar Fasciitis is the medical term. Plantar means on the bottom of the foot, and Fasciitis means inflamed fascia. Fascia is specialized ligament.

Plantar Fasciitis presents with pain as soon as you put your foot on the floor in the morning, usually get better after walking for awhile, then get bad again after resting and towards the end the day. The triggers for this pain are usually training errors in runners, A change of shoes Or walking on the beach barefoot can can all precipitate Plantar Fasciitis or Heel Spurs

Most people are concerned about the heel spur which is present in some cases. Bone grows in response to stress, so when the fascia pulls the bone grows into the fascia giving you a spur. But the spur is not what is responsible for the pain, it is the plantar fascia.

Jennifer Black - So what can we do to make the plantar fascia better?

Dr. Steve - Once you have it don't wait to get treatment, the sooner you can get this under control the better.

1. Walk only in good shoes with a good heel counter, no bare feet not even to the bathroom at night
2. Stretch the calf muscles (before you get out of bed)
3. Stretch the fascia ( before you get out of bed)
4. Massage the fascia, use a can of pop
5. Shoe modification, based on the foot type, this is for the Physical Therapist
6. This may require orthotics
7. Ice massage
8. Ultrasound, and topical drugs can be used.
9. Night splints