{"id":370,"date":"2018-12-20T05:42:03","date_gmt":"2018-12-20T13:42:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heelthatpain.com\/?page_id=370"},"modified":"2021-01-28T07:53:25","modified_gmt":"2021-01-28T15:53:25","slug":"injury","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/heelthatpain.com\/injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Foot, Heel, and Arch Injuries: An Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” transparent_background=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Foot, Heel, and Arch Injuries: An Overview” content_max_width=”none” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”3.16″ background_color=”rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” module_id=”injury-content” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ text_line_height=”2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Take a moment to consider just how many hours you spend standing or walking every day \u2014 not to mention the periodic stress of running, playing sports, or exercising!<\/p>\n

Most of the time, our marvelous feet, heels, and arches perform these tasks flawlessly. However, the combination of daily wear, impact, aging, and unexpected obstacles make the human foot vulnerable to a wide variety of injuries.<\/p>\n

Learning about the most common kinds of foot, arch, and heel injuries can help you quickly identify the problem, seek proper treatment, and avoid long-term damage.<\/p>\n

Plantar Fascia Injuries<\/h2>\n

Dealing with pain along the arch of your foot or on the bottom of your heel? You may have injured the main ligament in your foot \u2013 the plantar fascia. This strong, elastic ligament spans the bottom of your foot from the heel bone to the ball. It\u2019s designed to allow you to flex your feet and it supports the spring in your step as you walk.<\/p>\n

Plantar Fasciitis<\/h3>\n

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot injuries, affecting more than one in ten people over the course of a lifetime!<\/p>\n

Why is it so common? The arch of the foot or plantar fascia is a little like a rubber band, stretching and flexing with every step we take to bear and distribute weight and impact. With overuse, strain, and injury, this flexible band of tissue can sustain small tears and begin to deteriorate, get weaker, or wear out. Plantar fasciitis can be caused by sudden weight gain, an uneven gait that puts extra strain on your arch, high-impact sports, the normal aging process that decreases elasticity of your ligaments, or just poorly fitting shoes.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include redness and swelling, heel pain (particularly morning heel pain) and pain that improves somewhat with walking or other moderate activity. Most cases of Plantar Fasciitis can be resolved with conservative treatments like rest, icing, heel stretches, and Fascia-Bar orthotic treatments.<\/a>\u00a0It’s also important to note that plantar fasciitis is also extremely common in individuals without<\/em> any sort of trauma or injury to the foot<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Plantar Fascia Rupture<\/h3>\n

Unlike plantar fasciitis, which typically develops more gradually (over a few days, weeks, months, or even years) a rupture in the plantar fascia ligament is generally more dramatic and intensely painful. A rupture of the plantar fascia involves a large tear and partial destruction of the plantar fascia ligament.<\/p>\n

Athletes who participate in high-impact sports are especially prone to this injury and often report hearing a \u201cpopping\u201d sound at the time of injury. If you feel sudden, extreme pain in the heel and arch of your foot, stop what you\u2019re doing, and seek medical attention immediately; you may have sustained a plantar rupture. may indicate a rupture. The healing process from this type of plantar fascia injury typically revolves around rest, the use of a walking boot, and support with crutches. In some cases, surgery may be needed. Future ruptures can be prevented through the appropriate use of orthotic shoe inserts, such a Heel Seats, wearing properly fitting shoes, and stretching properly before exercise and throughout the week to strengthen the plantar fascia.<\/p>\n

Heel Injuries<\/h2>\n

Heel injuries can develop when the fatty pad protecting the heel bone begins to wear out, become thinner, or flatten and erode. Wearing improper footwear is one of the most notorious causes of common heel injuries like these:<\/p>\n

Heel Spurs<\/h3>\n

Heel spurs<\/a> are abnormal calcium deposits on the heel bone that often develop alongside plantar fasciitis as the heels\u2019 protective fatty pad wears down through overuse and strain. And while some heel spurs may grow undetected for some time, others begin to prod at the tender tissue cushioning the heel bone, causing extreme pain.<\/p>\n

Some podiatrists believe that these bony growths are your body\u2019s attempt to support the plantar fascia ligament that has injured. Wearing orthotic inserts that lift, properly support, and realign the plantar fascia can take painful pressure off heel spurs, and encourage the fatty pad of the heel to regenerate. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove large or very painful heel spurs, but the vast majority (90%) can be resolved at home with orthotics, rest, and supportive footwear.<\/p>\n

Sever\u2019s Disease:<\/h3>\n

Sever\u2019s disease<\/a>, or calcaneal apophysitis, is a common heel injury in physically active children ages 9-15. Often dismissed as \u201cgrowing pains,\u201d this serious condition happens when the growth of a child\u2019s heel bones are slower than the other ligaments in the leg. Children\u2019s heel bones reach maturity before the rest of their bodies and can be more prone to injury while the rest of the body plays catch-up.<\/p>\n

Sever\u2019s disease is more common in children who play sports on hard surfaces (like a basketball court), stand for long periods of time, or wear unsupportive shoes. Symptoms include pain in the heels, limping, and changes in gait. If your child is complaining of heel pain, see a doctor! He or she will likely recommend rest, icing, orthotic inserts to support the developing heel, and in some cases a walking boot.<\/p>\n

Haglund\u2019s Deformity (Pump Bump)<\/h3>\n

Pump bump, or Haglund\u2019s Deformity, is a bony protrusion that develops at the back of the heel in response to rubbing and irritation (usually from ill-fitting shoes). The condition is especially common in women who wear high heels or \u201cpumps,\u201d although rigid men\u2019s dress shoes can be a culprit too!<\/p>\n

Symptoms include a hard bump at the back of the heel, redness, and swelling, and irritation or pain. Over time, if left untreated, Haglund\u2019s Deformity can get progressively larger, leading to gait changes and inflammation of the bursa or fluid-filled sac at the heel joint. Treatment usually involves switching to more supportive, less rigid footwear, icing, and wearing orthotic inserts that gently lift and support the heel and arch.<\/p>\n

Bursitis<\/h3>\n

The retrocalcaneal bursa, or the fluid-filled sac that cushions and protects the tissues connecting your heel and ankle joint, can become irritated and inflamed through overuse, rubbing, and repeated impact.<\/p>\n

Bursitis shows up as swelling and inflammation at the back of the heel, redness, and tenderness to the touch, and difficulty standing on tiptoe. The condition is often mistaken for Achilles tendonitis since the symptoms are localized where the Achilles’ tendon meets the heel bone. Treatments typically include rest, icing, stretching, and orthotic inserts to relieve pressure on the arch and heel.<\/p>\n

Foot Injuries<\/h2>\n

The many ligaments, muscles, and bones of the foot are vulnerable to injury during exercise, sports, or everyday use particularly in the absence of proper footwear and support. The following are some of the most common foot injuries:<\/p>\n

Sprains and Fractures<\/h3>\n

A stumble, a blow to the foot, an uneven surface that causes the foot to slip or slide, or even just repeated strain and overuse can lead to injuries of the bones, ligaments, and muscles in the foot and ankle.<\/p>\n

Sprains and fractures are two of the most common foot injuries. A sprain involves the stretching or tearing of ligaments in the foot, and is usually treated with plenty of rest, icing, compression with an ace bandage, and sometimes crutches depending on the severity of the strain. While the pain from a sprain may be sudden and sharp, it\u2019s usually possible to place some weight on the hurt foot, which typically improves within one to three days. A fracture, on the other hand, typically causes sharp and shooting pain in the bone when weight is placed on the foot.<\/p>\n

If you believe you may have fractured your foot or ankle, it\u2019s important to see a doctor to determine treatment and get your foot examined. Your doctor may recommend a cast or walking boot depending on the location of your fracture.<\/p>\n

Ligament Traumas<\/h3>\n

While a sprain is usually the result of twisting or rotating the ligament, a blow or a sudden injury from stepping on an uneven surface or hard object can result in trauma or a bruise. If you cut the sole of the foot open deeply and are bleeding, seek medical attention, and pay special attention to possible infection. For more minor bruises or cuts, keep the area compressed, clean, and dry while the area heals.<\/p>\n

Achilles Tendonitis or Achilles Rupture<\/h3>\n

Achilles tendonitis<\/a> is similar to plantar fasciitis and results from tears to the Achilles tendon, which is located where the calf meets the heel. Achilles tendonitis can come on suddenly or over time, with symptoms of pain, swelling, and tenderness at the back of the heel. You may find it more difficult than usual to stand on tiptoe or point your toes.<\/p>\n

Achilles tendonitis is usually the result of an overly tight Achilles tendon and can be improved with stretching, icing, rest, and proper warm-up before and after physical activity. It\u2019s extremely important to address Achilles tendonitis since the condition can lead to Achilles rupture if not addressed. In a rupture, the Achilles tendon tears, leading to severe pain and trauma to the ligament. In many cases, surgery may be required to treat a rupture.<\/p>\n

Metatarsalgia<\/h3>\n

Metatarsalgia<\/a> is the result of inflammation in the metatarsal area, or ball of the foot, where the toes connect to the foot. This condition is typically the result of too much pressure on the forefoot, which is often the result of wearing high-heeled shoes or playing sports that involve a lot of impact with the toes like soccer. Symptoms include pain in the ball of the foot that onsets gradually over time and swelling and redness in the ball of the foot. Treatments usually involve wearing more supportive footwear and resting from the activities causing the pressure on the forefoot.<\/p>\n

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome:<\/h3>\n

Tarsal tunnel syndrome<\/a> develops when the tibial nerve \u2014 a nerve at the base of the ankle \u2014 gets pinched or constricted, creating inflammation, tingling numbness, and soreness. It\u2019s similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, which happens in the wrist as a result of nerve compression.<\/p>\n

The tibial nerve can be compressed and irritated through overuse, shoes that press on the base of the ankle, or different movements in sports or exercise. Like most other foot injuries, conservative treatments include rest, switching to more supportive footwear, icing, and NSAIDs that calm inflammation and swelling.<\/p>\n

Preventing Foot, Heel, and Arch Injuries<\/h2>\n

When it comes to foot, heel, and arch injuries, prevention is the name of the game. Keep your feet healthy by using the following best practices to avoid injuries altogether:<\/p>\n