One of the most common complaints I see in my podiatry clinic week in and week out is heel pain — better known as plantar fasciitis. As my patients bring out their fall footwear, their heel pain tends to increase, and often high heels, pumps and closed-toe flat dress shoes with little to no cushioning are the culprits.
How do I know if I have plantar fasciitis?
Your heel pain will come on gradually.
You’ll feel pain closer to the front of your heel
Your pain will be more prevalent in the morning when you get up from sleeping, or when you stand up after sitting for a long time
When my patients complain of these symptoms, I do a routine examination and can usually diagnose the condition quite quickly. I assess the amount of time the patient spends sitting and standing, what types of physical activity the patient does, and I look at the types of footwear the patient typically uses.
Treatments plans will vary depending on the severity of the plantar fasciitis. I will suggest pain killers — typically NSAIDS — and lots of rest that includes applying cold ice packs to the affected heel. If needed, I will prescribe custom orthotics to help correct foot faults and add cushioning to the heel, or show the patient how to apply athletic taping to stabilize and support the foot. There are a number of stretches that can help heal plantar fasciitis, and I will recommend more appropriate footwear that will prevent plantar fasciitis from flaring up again once healed.
If you suspect you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, don’t wait — contact my podiatry clinic at Yonge and King today and we’ll give you help for your heels!
