Heel Spurs and Arch Pain (Plantar Fasciitis): Perhaps the most common foot problem diagnosed by physicians, and the most common foot problem researched by patients over the internet. My heel pain came on quickly, without any obvious trauma. Like most of my patients I hoped it would just go away, but that hope was soon gone as I began to limp and had to stop all unnecessary walking or standing. My efforts to treat my own condition included the use of medication, cortisone injections, arch pads, tape dressings, and even two pair of custom orthotics made from two different orthotic labs. All I wanted was to walk without pain!. Brent A Jarrett DPM   

Symptoms: Pain in the arch and/or heel region of the foot with standing, walking, and running. Pain often first presents after a period of excessive activity on your feet. Disabling pain is characteristically most obvious first thing in the morning when you first get out of bed. Over time the pain becomes more frequent and may occur immediately as you stand up after sitting. (Post-Static Dysesthesia )

Diagnosis: Chronic progressive history of pain usually described as being inside the bottom of the foot where the heel meets the arch. Less common variations present with pain in the retro-calcaneal area (back), medial (inside), or lateral (outside) of the heel. Physical exam reveals pain with deep palpation of these same areas. X-rays, and relief following use of a temporary arch support (tape test) are important diagnostics. MRI and CT scans can be used to rule out other osseous and soft tissue pathology, but are usually not required to make the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome. . 

Theta Orthotics Treat the cause of your pain.

“All I want is to stand ,walk or maybe even run, without the pain.”

Cause: Excessive long-term pull on the plantar fascia (faschia). Breakdown of the foot stretches this ligament that spans the long arch and functions as a strut . Forces created within this strong ligament, as the arches collapse and elongate, produce partial rupture and/or chronic inflammation. When the inflammation is excessive, calcium is deposited and a calcaneal bone spur develops where the plantar fascia at

Treatment: Many will get relief just by decreasing walking activity, temporary anti-inflammatories, and a new better supportive pair of shoes. Others suffer for years, before they finally walk and stand so infrequently that inactivity finally decreases the causative forces.

Physicians use crutches, stretching, night splints, physical therapy, dietary supplements (Calcium, Glucosamine, Chondroiten), anti-inflammatories, athletic tape, pads, arch supports, custom orthotics, injections, shock wave, cold laser, and surgery, all will either minimal or temrorary benefit, to relieve symptoms and help the patient walk.

“I suffered with heel spur syndrome / plantar fasciitis for almost two years. I tried not to limp in front of my patients while I treated myself with high and almost toxic dosages of anti-inflammatories and cortisone injections. I used custom prescription orthotics full time during all weight-bearing activity for almost six months. I realized that if I could not get more help than I was getting from injections, medication, and prescription orthotics, I would need surgery. If I tried to go without my orthotics, which often felt like they were providing little to no help, even for a couple of hours, things got terribly worse. I did not want surgery and I was not at all sure what I was going to do!