Foot, Ankle, and Heel Pain Treatment
in Harford County, MD

The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis.  Many patients with plantar fasciitis have a heel spur on the front and bottom of their heel, but heel spurs do not cause pain.  The common name is "heel spur" because it's easier to say and spell than "plantar fasciitis" and doctors are able to point to the spur on an x-ray.  Causes of heel pain include inadequate flexibility in the calf muscles, lack of arch support, being overweight, suddenly increasing activity, and spending too much time on the feet. 

If you suffer from heel pain, or your foot pain is keeping you from living the life you want to live, call Dr. Lee 443-512-0025 today!

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Plantar fasciitis (pronounced PLAN-tar fashee-EYE-tiss) is an inflammation of the plantar fascia. "Plantar" means the bottom of the foot, "fascia" is a type of connective tissue, and "itis" means "inflammation".  Heel spurs are soft, bendable deposits of calcium that are the result of tension and inflammation in the plantar fascia attachment to the heel.  Heel spurs do not cause pain.  They are only evidence (not proof) that a patient may have plantar fasciitis.  The plantar fascia encapsulates muscles in the sole of the foot. It supports the arch of the foot by acting as a bowstring to connect the ball of the foot to the heel. When walking and at the moment the heel of the trailing leg begins to lift off the ground, the plantar fascia endures tension that is approximately two times body weight.   This moment of maximum tension is increased and "sharpened" (it increases suddenly) if there is lack of flexibility in the calf muscles. A percentage increase in body weight causes the same percentage increase in tension in the fascia. Due to the repetitive nature of walking, plantar fasciitis may be a repetitive stress disorder (RSD) similar to tennis elbow. Both conditions benefit greatly from rest, ice, and stretching. Surgery is a last resort and may result in more harm than good in up to 50% of the patients.


Here are the treatments that I think are the most important:

1. Stretching the calf muscles several times a day, especially in the morning and after prolonged sitting.  
2. Ice after activity. Plain ice is good, but customers love the
3. Tape when applied correctly (especially for severe cases)
4. Rest.
5. Custom foot orthotics (arch supports) prescribed by a chiropractor (me).
6. Losing weight if possible, especially in women. Overweight women are 6 times more likely than overweight men to get plantar fasciitis.
7. Chiropractic care to include adjustments to the foot, leg and spine, along with physical therapy and rehab.

RANDY, 25