The heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis or by a heel spur can be hell to live with. If you've experienced heel pain like this then you'll know just how debilitating it can be. But - as with all things medical - understanding the cause of heel pain can go along way to providing relief and reassurance.

So what are the causes of heel pain and why is it sometimes called plantar fasciitis?

The plantar surface is the name given to the sole of the foot. Fascia means gristle and the suffix (-itis) is used in medicine for inflammation conditions. Think of the meaning of tonsillitis, dermatitis and conjunctivitis if you want examples.

Plantar Fasciitis, then, simply means "inflammation of the gristle on the sole of the foot."

Plantar fasciitis heel pain is felt at the front of the heel and the pain then often spreads along the sole of the foot towards the big toe. The heel pain is agony when walking - especially first thing in the morning. Putting your foot to the ground on getting out of bed is usually something you learn to dread because the gristle of the foot (the fascia) tightens up overnight as a result of the inflammation. The tight area is stretched as you put your weight onto the foot - causing a searing pain along from the heel to the base of the big toe.

Sometimes the inflammation around the heel encourages calcium or new bone to grow along the line of the gristle on the sole of the foot. This creates a spurred effect when the heel is seen on x-ray. Doctors call this a heel spur. You can see a heel spur x-ray on my website by following the link at the bottom of this article.

What Causes Heel Spur?

There are many possible triggers for heel spur and its related heel pain. The commonest ones include: poor footwear and a long walk (Wellington boots in winter), tight calf muscles or achilles tendon tissues and flat feet or other changes in the shape of the arch of the foot.

The heel pain of heel spur or plantar fasciitis can happen at any age but is seen most often in the elderly and in those who are overweight.

Heel Pain Treatment

The heel pain from plantar fasciitis or the pain of a heel spur eventually settles without treatment in about 80% of cases but it may take many months before it does so.

Treatment options for plantar fasciitis heel pain include:

Physical therapy including stretches and massage (this works but it can take a while)

Injection of the tender area with steroid and local anesthetic (effective but can be painful if done by an inexperienced doctor)

Anti-inflammatory medication (not usually very effective and may have side effects)

And orthotic insoles or heel cushions (effective but can be uncomfortable in your shoes).

I find it is often better to invest in a pair of good quality running shoes with a deep cushion sole. This solution is often very effective - but not entirely fashionable if you're more than 35yrs old!

If you are unlucky enough to suffer from this kind of heel pain then the best advice I can give is to STAY POSITIVE - the heel pain of plantar fasciitis will eventually go away even without treatment.

You'll find a lot more information about the treatment of heel pain on my website at http://www.cameronmedical.com