Options For Heel Pain Treatment San Francisco Residents May Wish To Know

By Serena Price


The commonest cause of heel pain is a condition known as planter fascitis. The condition not only causes considerable discomfort but may limit functionality to a great extent. There are a number of important things on heel pain treatment San Francisco residents may wish to know if struggling with the condition. The main goal of therapy is to eliminate the pain (or at least reduce it) and to restore normal function of the foot. The pain of planter fascitis typically starts in the morning and abates as the day progresses.

It has been established through research that planter fascitis has the highest incidence among athletes. As they compete or exercise, athletes subject the plantar fascia to undue strain. The plantar fascia is a sheet of tissue extending from the toes to the heel. It is designed to stabilize the foot. When subjected to excessive strain, the fascia becomes inflamed and this causes excessive pain and limits functionality. The same may also occur if when you wear improper shoes.

As the symptoms set in, there are a number of things that can be undertaken. Taking of adequate rest is one of the things that should be done as soon as the condition is diagnosed. Take a break from strenuous physical activities that are likely to stretch the planter fascia. This will give time to the inflamed fascia to heal. Walking on concrete surfaces also tends to aggravate the injury and should be avoided.

As many as 9 patients out of 10 that are affected respond to conservative therapies. Most of them actually heal completely within a year. The only condition that has to be fulfilled is adherence to the prescribed therapy. There may or may not be a need to combine several therapies. This is determined by the effectiveness of the individual therapies and the severity of the condition.

The most commonly used drugs belong to the NSAID group. These are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Aspirin, naproxen, diclofenac and ibuprofen are all examples of drugs that belong to this group. You need to remember that these drugs will only provide short term relief and the symptoms will recur after a short period of time. Remember that they may lead to some serious side effects such as renal failure and peptic ulcer disease.

Putting on improperly designed shoes or those that are non-fitting is a common predisposing factor. If the shoes are causing discomfort, then they need to be replaced. Ideal shoes are those that have shock absorption and arch support mechanism. To achieve better cushioning, orthotics may have to be added. Cushioning helps to reduce the strain that is exerted to the planter fascia and minimizes injury.

When done on a regular basis, physical exercise is very helpful. Some of the routines that can be practised include calf and toe stretches and towel stretching. The best time for such routines is early in the morning. The exercises help in increasing ligament flexibility and improve arch support.

If they fail to respond to conservative heel pain treatment San Francisco residents may consider surgical options. The important thing to remember is that outcomes are widely variable. Whereas some patients tend to respond quite well in a short period of time, others have to wait much longer. Going for regular check-ups will help determine your progress.




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