Bottom of Heel
By far, the most common ‘bottom of heel’ problem is hot, stabbing pain caused by Plantar Fasciitis. (And the second-most common ‘bottom of heel’ problem is heel-bone fracture).
Plantar Fasciitis heel pain can strike with each step– or even when a person just stands up. The pain might ‘come and go’. It is not felt when sitting down. In some people, the heel pain is accompanied with arch pain.
Little calcium deposits sometimes form on the edge of the heel-bone of someone with untreated Plantar Fasciitis. These little deposits are called ‘heel spurs‘. The spurs are not the source of the pain– they don’t hurt or cause problems. Nonetheless, some people call their heel pain problem ‘heel spurs‘ instead of it’s correct name– Plantar Fasciitis.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
The condition is created when the sole of the foot gets overly-stretched due to things like working all day on one’s feet, exercises, unsupportive footwear, going barefoot, having fallen arches or high arches, etc. Flexing the foot too much causes the plantar fascia ligament to become injured and inflamed where it connects to the heel-bone (‘calcaneus‘).
Since this ligament travels across the bottom of the foot and along the arch, it ‘stretches out’ with each and every step. Once the ligament gets injured, every step taken aggravates it more and more.
What Can Be Done About This Kind of Heel Pain?
The only way to let this ligament heal is to prevent it from stretching out so far, or being otherwise aggravated. That can mean staying off one’s feet for several weeks. This is too impractical for most people, so another method has developed over the years that quickly helps most people who try it:
- Use specialized shoe-inserts inside of the shoes to curb the plantar fascia ligament (and cushion the heel in the right places).
- Wear supportive footwear which flexes behind the toes but not in the arch. (Sneakers are ideal).
- Control swelling within the heel and arch by using ice-packs for a few days or until the pain totally stops. NSAID capsules like Ibuprofen also help with this. Always consult a doctor before taking medications for any condition.
A brief treatment guide has helpful details for getting the right footwear and specialized shoe-inserts, as well as some tips to help persons who have to work on their feet.
See the ‘Bottom Of the Heel’ – Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Information Guide.
Even with strong heel pain, most people do not need invasive treatments like surgery or steroid injections.
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Content herein is presented for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified health practitioner. As with all health conditions, people with ‘bottom of heel’ pain are advised to consult their doctor.