TANNER FOOT & ANKLE CLINICS (801) 773-4865 GARY N. OAKS DPM
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  • Patient Information
    • Medical Records Release Info
    • Office Visit Handouts
    • Patient Forms and Policies >
      • New Patient History Form
      • Surgery Instructions and Post Operative Information >
        • Pre Operative Instructions
        • Post Operative Visit Instructions >
          • Ankle stabilization
          • Endoscopic gastrocnemius recession
          • First metatarsophalangeal joint fusion or big toe joint fusion
          • Minimally invasive achiiles tendon repair protocol
        • Assistive Devices
      • Determining Covered Services
      • Disability Form Processing Policy
      • Pain Medications and Controlled Substances
    • Shoe & Orthotic Guide >
      • Shoe Fitting
      • Shoe Stores
      • Lacing techniques
      • Orthotic Break In
    • Rehab and PT after surgery/injury
    • Medical Supplies at Amazon
    • Gait Videos
    • Tanner Clinic Patient Portal
    • Insurances Accepted
    • Patient Survey
    • Terms of use
  • Treatments Provided
    • Common Problems A-J >
      • Ankle Instability
      • Ankle Sprain
      • Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
      • Blood Clots of the Foot or Leg (DVT)
      • Bone Infections/Osteomylitis
      • Bunion
      • bursitis
      • Callus or Corn
      • Cracked Heels
      • Flat foot
      • Foot Odor
      • Fractured Bones
      • Frostbite
      • Ganglion Cyst
      • Gout
      • Hammertoe
      • Heel Pain
      • Ingrown Toenail
      • Intractable plantar keratosis
      • Joint Pain
    • Common Problems K-Z >
      • Mole/Melanoma
      • Nail Fungus
      • Neuroma
      • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
      • Plantar Wart
      • Puncture Wound
      • Restless Legs
      • Rheumatoid Arthritis
      • Skin Cancer
      • Smelly Feet
      • Stress Fractures
      • Sweaty Feet
      • Swollen Ankle (Edema)
      • Thick Nails
      • Tingling Feet (Neuropathy or Sciatica)
      • Tired Feet
      • Ulcers
    • Diabetic Feet >
      • Amputation Prevention
      • Foot Care
      • Peripheral Neuropathy
      • Diabetic Shoegear
      • Wound Care
    • Kids Feet >
      • Flatfeet
      • Heel Pain in Kids
      • Ingrown Toenails in Kids
      • In toeing, Pigeon toe or Genu Valgum
      • Waddling walk, Duck Walk or Genu Valgum
      • Orthotics
    • Sports Medicine >
      • Achilles Tendonitis
      • Ankle Sprain
      • Athletes Foot
      • Biomechanics
      • Joint Pain
      • Orthotics/Arch Supports
      • Running Injuries
      • Shin Slints
  • About Us
  • Location

Heel Pain

Picture
Heel pain is a common condition in today's society.  Most commonly this is caused by a condition called plantar fascitis but other causes of heel pain are routinely seen.  These causes would include inferior calcaneal heel spur syndrome, neuritis, stress fracture, tendonitis, bursitis, strain, sprain, arthritis, Reiter syndrome etc. 
 
Because there are several potential causes of heel pain it is important that you see your foot and ankle doctor to address specific problem that you may be having. 
 
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fascitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia/plantar aponeurosis) that extends from the heel to the toes. In this condition, the fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel pain.  This is commonly associated with pain during the first steps in the morning or after rest with improvement with activity. 
 
Because the foot is an arch (greatest medially ) the fascia works to help support this arch against gravity and ground reactive forces .    When this band of tissue becomes overworked or excessively strained inflammation occurs causing redness swelling and pain.  Because walking is essential to most activity the plantar fascia is not given adequate time to recover from repetitive trauma.  In addition most surfaces now days are flat and hard, people are noticing an increased workload, and obesity is prevalent. 
 
As stated before it is important to see your foot and ankle doctor as other symptoms may mimic this presentation.  A thorough workup with possibly x-rays or ultrasound may be performed depending on the severity.
 
Nonsurgical treatment for plantar fascitis would include stretching exercises, icing, elevation, anti-inflammatories, supportive inserts/orthotics, shoegear modification, and limitation of activities. 
 
A strapping of the foot can be performed by your Doctor to see if orthotics would be appropriate for you depending on your condition.    If your condition is chronic, other modalities such as orthotics, anesthetic/steroid injections, removable casting , and physical therapy may be appropriate.  Over 90% of patients improve with conservative therapy and surgery is not usually needed.  The more chronic the condition the more likely surgery is though.
 
Again it is important that a thorough examination is performed by a doctor familiar with biomechanics so that causes of plantar fascitis will not be overlooked thereby significantly reducing chances of progression/reoccurrence.   Below is the plantar fascia at the insertion of the calcaneus with the distal portion cut away (Left).  On the right is an x-ray with calcaneal (heel) bone spur indicative of chronic plantar fascitis.

Tanner Foot & Ankle Clinics

Tanner Clinic-Roy
3443 W. 5600 S. Suite #110
Roy, Utah. 84067
(801)773 4865  Appointment 
​
(801) 525-8757 Fax
DISCLAIMER OF Gary N. Oaks DPM
Gary N. Oaks DPM expressly disclaims all warranties and responsibilities of any kind, whether express or implied, for the accuracy or reliability of the content of any information contained in this Web Site, and for the suitability, results, effectiveness, or fitness for any particular purpose of the services, procedures, advice or treatments referred to herein, such content and suitability, etc., being the sole responsibility of parties other than Gary N. Oaks DPM, and the reliance upon or use of same by you is at your own independent discretion and risk.  For further details see "Terms of Use".
Photo used under Creative Commons from TheGirlsNY
  • Home
  • Make an Appointment
  • Patient Information
    • Medical Records Release Info
    • Office Visit Handouts
    • Patient Forms and Policies >
      • New Patient History Form
      • Surgery Instructions and Post Operative Information >
        • Pre Operative Instructions
        • Post Operative Visit Instructions >
          • Ankle stabilization
          • Endoscopic gastrocnemius recession
          • First metatarsophalangeal joint fusion or big toe joint fusion
          • Minimally invasive achiiles tendon repair protocol
        • Assistive Devices
      • Determining Covered Services
      • Disability Form Processing Policy
      • Pain Medications and Controlled Substances
    • Shoe & Orthotic Guide >
      • Shoe Fitting
      • Shoe Stores
      • Lacing techniques
      • Orthotic Break In
    • Rehab and PT after surgery/injury
    • Medical Supplies at Amazon
    • Gait Videos
    • Tanner Clinic Patient Portal
    • Insurances Accepted
    • Patient Survey
    • Terms of use
  • Treatments Provided
    • Common Problems A-J >
      • Ankle Instability
      • Ankle Sprain
      • Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
      • Blood Clots of the Foot or Leg (DVT)
      • Bone Infections/Osteomylitis
      • Bunion
      • bursitis
      • Callus or Corn
      • Cracked Heels
      • Flat foot
      • Foot Odor
      • Fractured Bones
      • Frostbite
      • Ganglion Cyst
      • Gout
      • Hammertoe
      • Heel Pain
      • Ingrown Toenail
      • Intractable plantar keratosis
      • Joint Pain
    • Common Problems K-Z >
      • Mole/Melanoma
      • Nail Fungus
      • Neuroma
      • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
      • Plantar Wart
      • Puncture Wound
      • Restless Legs
      • Rheumatoid Arthritis
      • Skin Cancer
      • Smelly Feet
      • Stress Fractures
      • Sweaty Feet
      • Swollen Ankle (Edema)
      • Thick Nails
      • Tingling Feet (Neuropathy or Sciatica)
      • Tired Feet
      • Ulcers
    • Diabetic Feet >
      • Amputation Prevention
      • Foot Care
      • Peripheral Neuropathy
      • Diabetic Shoegear
      • Wound Care
    • Kids Feet >
      • Flatfeet
      • Heel Pain in Kids
      • Ingrown Toenails in Kids
      • In toeing, Pigeon toe or Genu Valgum
      • Waddling walk, Duck Walk or Genu Valgum
      • Orthotics
    • Sports Medicine >
      • Achilles Tendonitis
      • Ankle Sprain
      • Athletes Foot
      • Biomechanics
      • Joint Pain
      • Orthotics/Arch Supports
      • Running Injuries
      • Shin Slints
  • About Us
  • Location