Many people who experience heel pain assume that it's nothing to worry about and will go away with rest and less activity. Nevertheless, in some cases the heel pain is a warning signal from the body that it is injured. Foot malformations such as over-pronation or flat feet can lead to more serious conditions such as plantar fasciitis. This often debilitating pain in the heel area of the foot can be treated in a sterile back office as an outpatient.

Low Arches Can Be a Biomechanical Issue

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), plantar fasciitis can be caused by abnormal gait or foot anatomy. These issues can include over-pronation and low foot arches, for example. In cases when the lower body biomechanics are out of step with the rest of the body, excessive stress and pressure are put on bones and ligaments of the feet that are not meant to bear those pressures. For instance, jumping or even being heavier than recommended can all be contributing factors for heel pain.

Solutions and Plantar Fasciitis Therapy

A procedure known as Instep Plantar Fasciotomy is one plantar fasciitis therapy that is performed while the patient's foot and ankle are anesthetized. The plantar fascia is a ligament of tissue to blame for the excruciating discomfort caused by this condition. The surgeon opens the heel through a small incision made above the affected area of the heel. The fluid-filled area and damaged tissue is extracted from the inflamed heel tissues. Once the wound is stitched up, a walking boot is required for about four to six weeks, depending upon the healing time for the patient.

Over-pronation and Low Arches Also Result in a Non-Surgical Low Arches

Low level sound frequencies are also being used today to treat certain foot problems. Denominated ESWT (extracorporeal shock wave therapy), this solution aims to use small levels of sound waves to destruct the affected tissues. It sounds illogical, but it isn't. The partial destruction of these tissues in low amounts actually evokes the body's healing response and cures the body of the painful issue. In a study done in the early part of this decade, it took 800 study participants about 8 weeks to heal completely with about eighty-five percent success.

Plantar Fasciitis Therapy with Less Down Time

Finally, endoscopic plantar fascia removals are becoming more commonly used because of their short healing duration. In this procedure, the foot is anesthetized while the patient is awake. Given that some surgeons may prefer to have the patient unconscious, that is also a valid way to conduct the operation with less stress to the patient. Quarter-inch incisions are made in the left and right sides of the heel to access the affected areas. A small camera is used to aid the surgeon to locate the plantar fascia ligament. The surgeon sews the incision closed once the problem tissues have been identified and fixed.

Over-pronation and Low Arches Can be Treated Before it Turns Into Plantar Fasciitis

Although surgical intervention is only necessary in under 10% of plantar fasciitis cases, it's recommended to be alert about the procedures that doctors are using today. Occupational and physical therapies are the best things people can do after undergoing any of these procedures. Massages, exercises, and whirlpool therapy are just some of the many tools in the physical therapist's toolbox that can make a difference. For people with walking gait abnormalities and biomechanics problems such as overpronation or low foot arches, supportive orthotics insoles are one of the best ways to stop recurrence of plantar fasciitis.