Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)

Dolor en el talón (Heel Pain Spanish)

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that occurs when the thick, fibrous tissue in the bottom portion of your foot (called the ''plantar fascia''), becomes inflamed and painful. This tissue runs from the ball of your foot back to the heel.

Heel pain is often the result of small rips and tears in the plantar fascia. This tissue acts like a bow string and-when you stand on your foot with your full body weight-it can rip and tear near the heel. When it becomes inflamed, you are said to have plantar fasciitis, and a heel spur may develop. This is a calcium buildup where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel.

To better explain this pain, it may be helpful to examine your own feet and to get an idea about the structure of the foot. Bend your knee in order to get your foot in closer view. Bend your big toe back and feel the tight band on the bottom of your foot. You will feel the tight band run from the ball of your foot, just behind the large toe joint, to the heel. In fact, if you press the area on the bottom of your heel where the heel pain is, you will find that the band comes from the ball of the foot and extends to the painful heel area.

Plantar fasciitis and heel pain tend to occur most often in athletes-especially runners, in middle-aged people, and in people who are overweight. They may be caused by inward rolling of the foot during walking, poor arch support, worn-out shoes, tight calf muscles, or by running downhill or on uneven surfaces.

People referred for the treatment of heel pain at Kaiser Santa Clara are triaged to the Heel Pain Class. This involves a 30 minute audio-visual presentation on the causes and treatment of heel pain. Following this session, there will be an opportunity to be seen and treated individually by a doctor. Patients appear to find the information presented helpful and the experience well worth their time. Often patients obtain relief of their problem without the need for further visits. Heel Pain Class is held ever other Wednesday at 6 PM.