Surgical and Non-Surgical Pain Treatments in Edmonton
Heel pain is one of the most common and persistent foot problems affecting men and women of all ages. It originates deep within the foot, directly on the heel bone or within the foot’s connective tissue – the fascia. Pain occurs when the tissues become irritated or inflamed resulting in growth of small spurs on the heel bone.
Plantar fasciitis, the type of heel pain caused by chronic inflammation of the connective tissue extending from the heel bone to the toes, occurs most frequently in adults. Being overweight and wearing inappropriate footwear are common contributing factors. The pain is most noticeable after getting out of bed in the morning and it tends to decrease after a few minutes and returns during the day as time on the feet increases.
Not all heel pain, however, is caused by plantar fasciitis. It can occur from inflammation of the Achilles tendon, bursitis, arthritis, gout, stress fractures, bone or soft tissue tumors, or irritation of one of the nerves in the region. Call the Associated Foot Clinic at 780-452-1444 to book an appointment with one of our highly trained foot specialists to have your foot pain properly and thoroughly assessed.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Initial treatment options for heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis include anti-inflammatory medications, padding and injections of corticosteroids. Stretches make up an important part of the treatment regimen as well as limiting the frequency of physical activities. The Doctors at the Associated Foot Clinic have been utilizing Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) as an effective means to treat plantar fasciitis for many years. This is a fast and gentle non-surgical method of reducing heel pain. Using a device to deliver pneumatically-generated high-pressure shock waves that travel through the skin, inflamed soft tissue and bone calcifications receive high energy pulses. These high energy pulsations stimulate the body’s natural self-healing process. Most patients require three treatment sessions, each one taking approximately 5-15 minutes.
Surgical Treatment
When non-surgical treatment fails to remedy heel pain, surgical options may be considered. For those with persistent heel pain, foot and ankle surgeons are the experts to consult for determining the most appropriate treatments. The surgical treatment options for plantar fasciitis are generally focused on the release of the tight and chronically inflamed plantar fascia bands. This can be performed through a small incision on the inside of the arch. Contact the Associated Foot Clinic to schedule your appointment to determine if you would be a candidate for surgery.
Call us today to schedule an appointment and address your heel pain.
