Help Whats Causing My Heel Pain | Advanced Podiatry

Do you experience pain and stiffness in one or both heels when you first wake up in the morning? Although heel pain can have a variety of causes, the most common cause of heel pain and stiffness when you first step out of bed in the morning is plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the ligament that runs from the heel bone, also known as the calcaneus, to the base of the toes. Unlike heel pain caused by sudden injury, plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury, one brought on by repetitive use, such as repeatedly pounding your feet against the pavement. Not surprisingly, this condition is common in runners, although it can affect anyone.

Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing plantar fasciitis. If you suffer from flat feet or high arches or have tight hamstring muscles, you may be at greater risk. Being overweight or obese also places added stress on the ligaments in your feet and thereby increase the risk. Athletic activities, like running or jumping, especially if you do too much too quickly or do these activities on a hard surface or while wearing inappropriate shoes, can lead to a lingering case of plantar fasciitis.

You might wonder how these activities lead to plantar fasciitis? When the long ligament that runs through the bottom of your foot is repeatedly stressed, it can develop micro-tears, tiny tears in the connective tissue that makes up the ligament. Although you sometimes hear inflammation is the underlying cause of plantar fasciitis, many experts believe that thickening and degeneration of the connective tissue due to trauma are the more likely cause.

Without treatment and lifestyle changes, plantar fasciitis can become a chronic problem that stays around for weeks or even months. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help you conquer this frustrating and all too common problem. If you're having heel pain, talk to a podiatrist .