Bone spurs is a term familiar to the general public, and it is also a phenomenon of natural aging. There are also some reports that heel pain is a result of bone spurs growing in the heel, so many people come to the doctor and ask, “Do I have bone spurs in my heel?” And in fact, only 5% of all patients with heel pain are growing bone spurs, while more than 90% of patients are suffering from metatarsal fasciitis.
Master Wang’s heel has been a little pain, but he did not take it seriously, at first walking activities are no problem, just a little pain when walking, but the days are long, he found that the pain began to intensify, especially in the morning when he got up, just walking down the pain is particularly strong. It was really unbearable, so he asked his young daughter to accompany him to the doctor. After a detailed examination, he was a typical heel pain patient.
Myth 1: Heel pain is a bone spur in the heel.
Bone spurs is a word familiar to the people, it is also a phenomenon of natural aging, there are also some reports that heel pain is a bone spur in the heel, so many people come to the doctor will ask the doctor: “Do I have a bone spur in my heel?” In fact, only 5% of all patients with heel pain have bone spurs, while more than 90% of patients have metatarsal fasciitis, and another part of patients have problems with the posterior branch of the tibial nerve heel.
Myth 2: Looking only for localized causes in the heel
Heel pain is caused by a variety of chronic conditions. Heel pain is pain on the metatarsal side of the heel (i.e., the plantar side of the foot), and the most common causes include metatarsal tendonitis, heel fat pad inflammation and heel spurs, and heel bursitis. In addition, soft tissue strain of the lower back and hip, knee joint, “infrapatellar fat pad inflammation”, “ankle tunnel syndrome”” and some other diseases can also cause pain in the heel. Only by finding out the cause of heel pain and treating it symptomatically can we achieve ideal results.
Metatarsal fasciitis is the most common form of heel pain
What is metatarsal fasciitis?
Metatarsal fasciitis is a painful inflammatory condition of the plantar aspect of the foot, located on the heel of the foot. It is one of the more common forms of “heel pain”.
The plantar fascia is a broad, thick bundle of soft tissue that extends from the heel to the front of the plantar foot. Sometimes a tear located near the beginning of the heel bone can cause inflammation and pain.
The most significant symptoms of metatarsal fasciitis: pain on the bottom of the heel when walking; significant pressure points on the bottom of the foot. Severe patients experience pain even when standing or even at rest. Typical pain often occurs in the early morning when walking on the ground after first waking up. The pain is sometimes more intense because the plantar fascia is shortened and relaxed as you naturally relax your feet while you sleep, while walking immediately after waking up causes significant stretching of the plantar fascia and causes pain. When you are asleep, you usually do not feel discomfort on the bottom of your feet. When you wake up, you usually take a few more steps and the pain will improve after you move around. But sometimes, when you sit down and do not move, rest for a while and then walk, it will arise again. On the bottom of the foot near the heel, you can usually press on a distinct painful spot. Sometimes the pressure pain is more intense and persistent.
What are the causes of metatarsal fasciitis?
1. Age
As we age, the bones and joints of the body degenerate, and naturally the heel degenerates as well. The anatomical structure of some people’s feet is special, so they are more likely to suffer from metatarsal fasciitis.
2, with unsuitable shoes
Sometimes wearing shoes that are too thick, too thin or too hard can cause harm to the foot, such shoes are equal to not wearing, and walking barefoot on the ground, the same damage. Generally speaking the thickness of the shoes required in 2-3 centimeters, while the hardness should be the same as the normal hardness of leather. It is best to match the right insole, the better insole is and the shape of the foot is more fitting, can reduce the pressure on the dispersed foot.
In addition, you often wear high heels for a long time, including Western boots, then the metatarsal fascia can also be contracted as a result. When you move around, the pain is caused by pulling on this already shortened fascia. This painful pull often occurs especially in the morning when you wake up and walk on the ground with bare feet.
3. Weight gain
When you gain weight, you are likely to develop plantar fasciitis. Normally, there is a layer of fatty tissue underneath your heel bone. When you gain weight, too much weight can increase the pressure on this layer of tissue during standing weight-bearing activities, which can damage it and cause heel pain. Therefore, reducing weight is also an important measure to prevent plantar fasciitis.
4, excessive exercise
People who like to run and exercise are also susceptible to metatarsal fasciitis. This often happens when you change your practice and increase the distance and frequency of running. In particular, running on uneven surfaces is very likely to cause metatarsal fasciitis.
Therefore, people are asked not to not exercise, but to exercise properly.
What should I do if I suffer from metatarsal fasciitis?
The first thing you can do with metatarsal fasciitis is to inject an anti-inflammatory and analgesic solution. The inflammation that occurs at the metatarsal point of the heel bone and fascia can be reduced by injecting an anti-inflammatory and analgesic solution so that the pain disappears and the inflammation is reduced. After the local inflammation subsides, some patients will be completely cured, but some other stubborn patients may need further treatment, including needle knife fascial release therapy, physical therapy, including arch pads. Finally, there are 5-10% of patients who cannot be cured by the above treatments, so they need to be treated by surgery.
How long does it take to return to normal life and sports after treatment?
The chance of recovery from trauma varies from person to person. The return to normal life and sports depends on the actual recovery of the injury, not on how many days or weeks it has occurred. Generally speaking, the longer the symptoms have been present before treatment begins, the longer it will take to recover. Rehab can help you return to normal exercise as quickly and safely as possible. But remember, speed is not enough. You can determine if you can return to normal life and movement based on the following listed below.
1. The range of motion of the affected foot is the same as that of the normal foot.
2. The strength of the affected foot is the same as that of the normal foot.
3. No more painful walking in a straight line and no limp.
Achilles tendon periarthritis
Achilles tendon periarthritis is a disease caused by inflammation, with pain in the Achilles tendon and surrounding tissues as the main symptom. Clinical manifestations: Achilles tendon pain, coarseness, pressure pain, rubbing sensation when flexing and extending the ankle joint, and increased pain when dorsiflexing the ankle joint.
Toe Canal Syndrome
Toe canal syndrome is a general term for the syndrome that occurs when the posterior tibial nerve is compressed due to the relative narrowing of the toe canal. Clinical manifestations: pain and numbness in the medial heel or sole of the foot, aggravated by exertion and relieved by rest; burning pain in the sole of the foot over time, especially at night or after walking.