Solving children’s foot pain

Posted on: 13 March 2015

Heel pain can be caused by the thickening of a band of tissue that runs along the sole of your foot. This tissue, known as the plantar fascia, acts as a shock absorber, but can become inflamed if it gets damaged or torn. Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that can impact your quality of life, but it can be treated. Here's an overview of the symptoms, causes and treatment options:

Causes

Plantar fasciitis doesn't always have an identifiable cause and can develop suddenly or gradually. When the tissue is put under extreme strain or you frequently put pressure on your feet, it's possible to tear the plantar fascia. Here are a few known causes:

• Spending several hours on your feet each day
• Poor running technique that causes your feet to land unevenly
• Wearing shoes with inadequate support
• Tight Achilles tendon, which can be caused by poor exercise technique or having naturally high-arched feet

Symptoms

The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain, which may feel more intense when you walk up stairs. You'll likely feel pain when you walk even short distances, touch your heel or put pressure on it after a period of rest. In severe cases, you may develop a limp as you try to avoid putting weight on your heel.

Plantar fasciitis is diagnosed by a podiatrist after a thorough examination of your foot. They may also order an ultrasound scan to establish the degree of swelling and thickening of the plantar fascia tissue.

Treatment

Here's an overview of four common treatment options:

Orthotic Insoles - Your podiatrist will measure you for orthotic insoles, which reduce the pressure on your heel by altering the distribution of weight across your foot. This allows the inflammation to go down over time.

Gentle Exercises - If you have a tight Achilles tendon, your podiatrist will show you how to loosen it off with gentle exercises. You'll have to do the exercises daily for several weeks, but they are effective.

Steroid Injections - A course of steroid injections may be advised if you have significant swelling. The injections will reduce inflammation and promote healing, but they do come with risks and side effects, such as gastrointestinal upset and insomnia, so take time to consider the pros and cons before choosing this treatment option.

Surgery - This is generally considered a last resort treatment for plantar fasciitis. It is used in rare circumstances when more conservative treatment has been unsuccessful. Surgery involves severing the plantar fascia tissue from your heel bone. The procedure relieves the pressure and discomfort around your heel, but there is a risk of surgical complications, such as nerve damage, and these should be fully discussed with your surgeon.

If you're experiencing heel pain, don't be tempted to self-diagnose. Schedule an appointment with your podiatrist for a thorough examination and personalised treatment plan. For more information, contact a business such as Galleria Podiatry.