Plantar heel pain

Plantar heel pain is characterized mainly by heel pain caused by trauma, strain or certain heel disorders; it is an aseptic inflammation caused by injury to the calcaneal periosteum and surrounding fibrous tissue. It is a common chronic traumatic disease that mainly affects middle-aged and elderly people over 40. Heel pain is an orthopedic disease in which the muscles and ligaments attached to the plantar surface of the calcaneus pull unevenly on the periosteum; modern medicine calls it calcaneal osteomyelitis, also called calcaneal spur. Treatment is mainly non-surgical with good results, and surgery is needed only when non-surgical treatment fails.

Common Symptoms

Heel spur; heel pain

Causes

Disease factors. With aging, body tissues undergo degenerative changes, and long-term strain causes pathological changes in the heel tissues, such as heel fibrofatty pad inflammation, plantar fasciitis, heel bursitis, peritendinitis of the Achilles tendon, calcaneal high-pressure syndrome and calcaneal spur. These disorders of different tissues around the calcaneus are important causes of plantar heel pain. Traditional Chinese medicine considers it a bi syndrome, mostly due to liver-kidney deficiency in old age with loss of nourishment of the tendons and bones, plus wind-cold-damp or chronic injury damaging the tendons and bones, leading to qi-blood stasis and phlegm-blood obstruction; the course is lingering, and long illness injures the kidney and enters the collaterals and bones.

Treatment

Traditional Chinese medicine, supportive treatment

Prevention

Patients with plantar fasciitis should rest appropriately during the acute phase, reduce weight bearing and limit strenuous exercise. After symptoms ease, gradually do plantar muscle contraction exercises to strengthen plantar muscle strength. Keep the local area warm and avoid cold stimulation. Soak the feet in warm water daily, maintain foot hygiene and good circulation, and wear loose shoes.

Recommended Department

It is recommended to visit the orthopedic surgery department; before the visit you may first book an appointment and connect with experts through this platform.

Warm reminder: The above information is provided for health education reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek care at a regular hospital in time.