| As we discussed in the previous article the most | | | | offer to tape your feet, temporarily lifting the arch and |
| important component in eliminating heel pain I believe is | | | | assisting that rubber band. This works great but |
| stretching. Take a belt, a towel, or that ugly tie Aunt | | | | unfortunately, unless your doctor is your spouse, only |
| Sallie gave you for your birthday and stretch your feet | | | | lasts a few days because the tape falls off. |
| everyday BEFORE getting out of bed. Put the towel | | | | Night splints are somewhat expensive but they also |
| at the ball of the foot and pull both sides toward you | | | | work wonders. Maintaining the stretch on the plantar |
| like a horse bridle while keeping your knee straight. You | | | | fascia during the night while you sleep certainly assists |
| should feel a pulling sensation behind your knee and | | | | with pain control and condition remedy, but they can be |
| down your leg. Hold this position for 30 seconds and | | | | awkward and some people may not be able to |
| repeat five times with 30 seconds rest between each | | | | tolerate them. Your doctor may elect to have you |
| stretch. Oh, and make sure you stretch the unaffected | | | | wear a removable walking cast or boot that can be |
| side as well. I've seen it go away on one foot only to | | | | used to keep your foot immobile for a few weeks to |
| return on the other. | | | | let it rest up and heal (pun intended). Another item that |
| Another trick is to freeze a regular ole' bottle of water. | | | | can provide very long lasting relief is custom orthotics. |
| Every night as your sitting in front of your television | | | | They are expensive but ask anyone who has a pair, |
| watching the news, roll that bottle with your foot for | | | | they are definitely worth it. These address the |
| about ten minutes on each foot. This ices the bottom | | | | underlying structural abnormalities that may be |
| of the foot and stretches the fascia at the same time. | | | | contributing to your heel pain. |
| Non steroidal anti-inflammatories, or NSAIDs for short, | | | | Injections seem to be the mainstay of our treatment |
| are also a great option for some. Advil, aleve, celebrex, | | | | regimen because they provide quick relief. They can |
| naprosyn, ibuprofen, motrin, etc. are over the counter | | | | be somewhat painful when administered, but offer long |
| and readily accessible for all patients. Your doctor may | | | | lasting relief when they take affect. They are usually |
| prescribe a more potent NSAID but they all help to | | | | composed of a short acting local anesthetic as well as |
| reduce inflammation and swelling associated with this | | | | a longer acting corticosteroid, which serves to reduce |
| condition. | | | | the inflammatory response. |
| I can't encourage you enough to wear shoes at all | | | | You may also look into shockwave therapy which has |
| times, not just at work or play. Many houses have tile | | | | been shown to have excellent results. As a last resort, |
| or wooden floors which will not offer any cushion to | | | | surgery is an enticing option for some. More than 90% |
| that painful heel of yours. Wear supportive sandals or | | | | of patients routinely achieve lasting relief without |
| thick flip flops around the house. I try to discourage | | | | surgery. You should try at least six months of |
| house slippers because they are really not helpful. I | | | | conservative measures before entertaining the idea of |
| prefer that my patients wear Crocs because they feel | | | | surgery. Your foot and ankle surgeon will discuss the |
| wonderful and offer just enough support to be worn | | | | most beneficial approach for you. |
| around the house. Along that same line, I can't over | | | | No matter what treatment you undergo or receive for |
| emphasize the importance of quality shoe gear. A | | | | this sometimes very painful condition, remember that |
| good supportive shoe will do wonders. You cannot | | | | the underling causes of this condition often remain. |
| believe the type of shoes out there and I often find | | | | Therefore, you should proceed with preventative |
| myself asking "you paid HOW MUCH for those?" | | | | measures to reduce the chance for recurrence. For all |
| Moving into the doctor's office, we have a variety of | | | | patients, wearing supportive shoes and using your |
| more in depth treatment options. Any good doctor | | | | custom molded orthotic devices will provide long term |
| worth his weight will give you a crash course on the | | | | treatment. |
| conservative treatment options above. He may also | | | | |