What is Plantar Fasciitis, and why would it be stopping a NFL quarterback from playing football?
Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation of a ligamentous structure located on the bottom of the foot. It consists of a ligament extending from the heel to the toes and shares an insertion with the achilles tendon. When walking, this structure remains under stress and can become pulled or torn in individuals with a tight achilles tendon. When it hurts, it causes severe heel pain that will interfere with walking and running.
At initial presentation, pain will often not cause limitations while participating in sports, but will cause significant pain the following day. As it progresses, it hurts all the time and will limit ability to function. My recommendation for anyone suffering from heel pain (especially plantar fasciitis) is to treat it early so it doesn't keep you out of the activities you enjoy. It is treatable and should stop you from doing anything you want to do.
Dr Brandt R Gibson
Mountain West Foot & Ankle Institute
36 North 1100 East, Suite B
American Fork, UT 84003
801-756-0765
http://www.utahfootdoc.com/
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Heel Pain Common, But Not Normal
I have always stated that Pain is Never Normal. With this understanding, however, Americans suffer from foot pain on a regular basis. Of the causes of pain, including bunions, curly toes, corns and dry, cracked skin and even injuries like sprains or fractures, one particular ailment -- heel pain -- has been show in a new survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) to be a leading cause of pain.
The recent poll questioned close to 420 Americans aged 18 and older. The results included 39 percent of adults that experienced heel pain more than any other foot ailment within the last 12 months. Additionally, nearly 60 percent of respondents believed they suffered heel pain due to wearing ill-fitting shoes. In fact, many found that this pain was interfering in activities that they liked to participate in. So they have all seen a doctor right? No, about 64 percent of respondents said they had not yet visited a medical professional -- such as a podiatrist -- to diagnose and treat their heel pain, even though the pain has not subsided.
"Heel pain is a detrimental foot ailment that affects millions of Americans every day, and foot pain of any kind is not normal," said Ronald D. Jensen, DPM, president of the APMA. "If detected early, most types of heel pain -- including the most common, plantar fasciitis -- can be treated with non-invasive treatment options. However, the longer one waits to have their heel pain evaluated, the more difficult it is to successfully treat."
Are you among the sixteen percent of Americans that regularly experience heel pain? Heel pain can be avoided by wearing shoes that fit well, wearing the proper shoes for each activity, not wearing shoes with excessive or uneven worn heels or soles, and stretching foot and ankle muscles properly before and after exercising. Visiting a podiatric physician, also known as a podiatrist, as soon as foot pain is experienced drastically improves the chance of finding a solution for heel pain, and can help you return to regular activities without limitation of heel pain. Remember Pain is Never Normal!
To view a full summary of the results from the APMA's 2009 foot ailments survey with a focus on heel pain, please visit www.apma.org/heelpain.
Dr Brandt R Gibson
Mountain West Foot & Ankle Institute
36 North 1100 East, Suite B
American Fork, UT 84003
801-756-0765
www.UtahFootDoc.com
The recent poll questioned close to 420 Americans aged 18 and older. The results included 39 percent of adults that experienced heel pain more than any other foot ailment within the last 12 months. Additionally, nearly 60 percent of respondents believed they suffered heel pain due to wearing ill-fitting shoes. In fact, many found that this pain was interfering in activities that they liked to participate in. So they have all seen a doctor right? No, about 64 percent of respondents said they had not yet visited a medical professional -- such as a podiatrist -- to diagnose and treat their heel pain, even though the pain has not subsided.
"Heel pain is a detrimental foot ailment that affects millions of Americans every day, and foot pain of any kind is not normal," said Ronald D. Jensen, DPM, president of the APMA. "If detected early, most types of heel pain -- including the most common, plantar fasciitis -- can be treated with non-invasive treatment options. However, the longer one waits to have their heel pain evaluated, the more difficult it is to successfully treat."
Are you among the sixteen percent of Americans that regularly experience heel pain? Heel pain can be avoided by wearing shoes that fit well, wearing the proper shoes for each activity, not wearing shoes with excessive or uneven worn heels or soles, and stretching foot and ankle muscles properly before and after exercising. Visiting a podiatric physician, also known as a podiatrist, as soon as foot pain is experienced drastically improves the chance of finding a solution for heel pain, and can help you return to regular activities without limitation of heel pain. Remember Pain is Never Normal!
To view a full summary of the results from the APMA's 2009 foot ailments survey with a focus on heel pain, please visit www.apma.org/heelpain.
Dr Brandt R Gibson
Mountain West Foot & Ankle Institute
36 North 1100 East, Suite B
American Fork, UT 84003
801-756-0765
www.UtahFootDoc.com
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