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.

The prevalence of planter fascitis has been shown to be very high among professional athletes. In the course of their activities, the athletes tend to strain the planter fascia. The planter fascia is a sheet of thin muscle that stretches between the heel and the toe. Its function is to provide stability to the foot. When stretched excessively, it undergoes inflammatory changes and this is what causes the extreme pain that is experienced. The wearing of improper shoes is another predisposing factor.

The early stages of the condition are treated mainly by conservative therapies. As the symptoms set in, adequate rest is very helpful. Ensure that you desist from engaging in activities that are likely to aggravate your condition. This allows the planter fascia to heal in the areas that have been affected by inflammatory changes. Concrete surfaces are known to be especially harmful and should be avoided.

It has been shown that 9 in 10 affected persons respond positively to conservative therapies. This is as long as there is adherence to the prescribed therapy. A majority of these respond within one year. On many occasions, several modalities of management are combined in an attempt to better on the outcomes. The decision is determined by the severity of the condition and the effectiveness of individual therapies.

Drugs belonging to the group of NSAIDS are the most commonly used for relief. Some of the drugs classified under this group include aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen. It should be emphasized that these drugs only provide short term relief and the symptoms tend to recur. Drugs belonging to the NSAID group are known to cause some serious side effects such as peptic ulcer disease and should be used sparingly.

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.

Physical exercise plays a very important role in management. There are a number of exercises that have been shown to be helpful in providing symptomatic relief. They include among others, calf stretching, toe stretching and towel stretches. These should preferably be done every morning on a regular basis.

If they do not show improvement with conservative heel pain treatment San Francisco residents may need to start considering the surgical options available. For any form of treatment chosen, it should be remembered that success rates are widely variable. Some people respond almost immediately while others take a much longer period of time.




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