Page 39 - The Local Eye - Issue 126 - April 2016

39
Take care of your feet...
Policeman’s Heel
There are many causes of heel pain. The most
common is policeman’s heel (plantar fasciitis),
a very painful condition felt on the lower inner
border of the heel. Patients complain that it is
very painful when first getting out of bed in the
morning. What has happened is that the structure
that supports the arch of the foot (plantar fascia)
has stretched and is injured where it is connected
to the heel bone. It will heal itself over around 9
months without treatment but during this time it
can make walking very difficult.

Most sufferers want to know the cause and how
they can avoid it happening again. Common
factors are an increase in weight, taking up a new
activity such as sport or dancing, perhaps standing
on a ladder for long periods whilst decorating or maybe just age, generally middle age
onwards. Some people are predisposed to the condition as they have low arched feet
often walking with a ‘10 to 2’ gait.

Now there are a multitude of arch supports and spongy heel pads which can help but
can be hit and miss. The condition needs to be assessed by a podiatrist who will have
the knowledge to prescribe orthotics (insoles) that should correct the position of the
feet, taking the strain off of the painful parts of the feet. Wearing trainers can help and
there are shops that specialise in trainers made to accommodate various foot problems.
Strapping up the foot so that the arch is supported can give instant relief. Another simple
treatment is the roller exercise. Put a tin or jar in the fridge then when you are sat down
watching the television roll the affected arch over the jar/tin for ten minutes. Some GPs
will give a cortisone injection which can be a quick fix.

We have been using low level laser treatment, which makes the condition less painful.
Although laser treatment may not speed up the healing it certainly makes it more
bearable.

A H PARFITT
STATE REGISTERED CHIROPODIST / PODIATRIST
HPC REGISTERED 533-535 WIMBORNE ROAD
Tel: 01202 528942 WINTON BH9 2AP

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