Foot Health Tips & Care » stress fractures

Types of heel Pain

jk — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:15:13 +0000

Heel pain is a nightmare to most of the people nowadays. Especially to those who walk a lot and all. The case is similar as fever, many types of heel pain are present around us. Different types of heel pain and also they will be having entirely with different treatment. Thorough understanding the of the type and treating appropriately is really important for effective cure. Most of us ignore the initial symptoms and keep on working. This can be trouble at a later stage. It’s best to get medical help as soon as possible.

Lets take a quick glance over the types.

They are Heel Spur, Plantar Fasciitis, Stress Fractures, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Posterior Heel Pain…
Types Of Heel Pain

Heel Spur – Found most commonly in patients who have Plantar Fasciitis since long. We can say that Heel Spur or Heel Spur Syndrome is an extended form of Plantar Fasciitis itself.

Plantar Fasciitis – The most common condition which causes pain to your heels. Caused by common irritation and inflammation of arch of the foot. This tends to occur in people with diabetes, those who are having obesity, pregnant women, athletes, volleyball players, tennis players and people who participate in step aerobics or stair climbing. It can be also triggered by pushing a large appliance or piece of furniture or by wearing worn out or poorly constructed shoes. Long distance runners are most likely for becoming victims of this condition. People with flat feet have a higher risk of developing plantar fasciitis.

Stress Fractures – This one is an uncommon kind of heel pain. Should be considered especially in athletes such as long distance runners who have heel pain from beginning.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome – This causes a large nerve in the back of the foot to become entrapped, or pinched.

Posterior Heel Pain – This type causes symptoms behind the foot not underneath. The causes include Achilles tendonitis and retro calcaneal bursitis.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Stress Fractures

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:03:54 +0000

Dr Lee Cohen explains the diagnosis and treatment of stress fractures in this useful video.

Stress Fracture Treatment

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 02:33:24 +0000

Treatment will depend on the location of the stress fracture. Most stress fractures will heal if you reduce your level of activity and wear protective footwear for two to four weeks. Non impact aerobic activity such as swimming, rowing, cross-country skiing, walking or bicycling to maintain cardiovascular fitness. Though the pain may subside after the second week of treatment, returning to a normal exercise routine can delay healing and can cause permanent damage. Your doctor may apply a cast to your foot or recommend that you use crutches until the bone heals. In some patients, surgery may be needed to ensure proper healing. In some cases, you may need surgery so that the orthopaedist can insert a screw in the bone to ensure proper healing.

Stress fractures that don’t heal properly can develop into complete breaks of the bone and can become a chronic problem; therefore, it is better to prevent them in the first place. Here’s what you can do:

* Slowly increase any new sports activity. Gradually increase time, speed and distance; a 10 percent increase per week is fine.
* Maintain a healthful diet. Eat calcium and vitamin D-rich foods to help build bone strength.
* Alternate your activities. For example, you can alternate jogging with swimming or cycling.
* If pain or swelling returns, stop the activity. Rest for a few days. If pain continues, see an orthopaedist.
* Strength training can help prevent early muscle fatigue and prevent the loss of bone density that comes with aging.