Do you feel a sharp pain in your heel as soon as you put your foot on the ground in the morning or after a prolonged walk?
This discomfort, sometimes compared to a stinging sensation or a bruise under the heel, can greatly disrupt your daily activities.
These symptoms are often indicative of two common conditions: plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the plantar fascia under the foot, or heel spurs, a bony calcification in the heel.
So, how do you differentiate between these two causes and effectively relieve your pain?
Common causes of heel pain
Heel pain can occur for a variety of reasons, often related to lifestyle habits or recent changes in your routine.
Here are the main causes to consider:
- Sudden weight gain : Weight gain, whether it is related to pregnancy, a period of stress, or rapid bulking, puts additional pressure on the feet. This can lead to overloading of the plantar fascia, which causes inflammation and pain.
- Wearing unsuitable shoes : Flat shoes, unsupportive sandals or ill-fitting shoes can compromise the natural alignment of the foot. Without proper arch support, the pressure on the heel increases, which promotes chronic injuries.
- Increased physical activity : Transitioning from a sedentary lifestyle to a hard workout, running on hard surfaces, or playing demanding sports like tennis or basketball can quickly overwork the plantar fascia and cause strain injuries.
- Prolonged standing work : Occupations that require standing for several hours, such as in retail or catering, strain the soft tissues of the foot, increasing the risk of chronic inflammation.
- Sports injuries : Repeated impacts or false movements, common in sports activities, can cause microcracks or lesions that affect the heel.
These situations exert excessive pressure on the plantar fascia or promote bone calcifications, as in the case of heel spurs.
Early attention and habit adjustment can prevent these pains from getting worse.
Heel spurs or plantar fasciitis: what are the differences?
✔️ The Heel Spur
- What is it?
The heel spur is a bony calcification that develops in the heel, usually under the calcaneal bone.
It forms as a result of repeated microtrauma or excessive pressure on this sensitive area, often caused by prolonged posture, overweight or intense physical exertion.
This bone growth can remain painless in some cases, but becomes problematic when combined with an injury to nearby tissues, such as the plantar fascia.
- Symptoms
The main sign of heel spurs is calcification visible on x-ray. When there is no associated pain, treatment does not necessarily need to be initiated. In the presence of localized and acute pain in the heel, particularly felt after a prolonged period of rest, such as when waking up or after sitting for a long time, it is called plantar fasciitis.
This pain is often described as a stinging or burning sensation, which gradually subsides as the day progresses with activity.
- Diagnosis
An accurate diagnosis requires an X-ray, which allows the bone growth to be directly visualized.
This examination is rapid, non-invasive and carried out on site at Médecine podiatrique du Plateau, guaranteeing a clear and immediate evaluation.
- In-clinic treatment
Depending on the severity, treatments such as foot orthotics, cortisone injections, or shoe modifications are offered to relieve the pain.
✔️ Plantar fasciitis
- What is it?
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick, fibrous tissue that extends from the heel to the base of the toes.
This fabric plays a key role in supporting the arch of the foot and absorbing shock when walking or running.
When subjected to excessive tension or repeated microtrauma, it becomes inflamed, causing sometimes debilitating pain under the foot.
- Symptoms
People with plantar fasciitis usually experience sharp, throbbing pain underfoot, often concentrated near the heel.
This pain is particularly intense when you get up, after a night’s rest, and tends to diminish with activity, before reappearing after a prolonged day or physical exertion.
In some cases, it can be diffuse, extending to the entire arch of the foot.
- Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on an ultrasound, which makes it possible to visualize the inflammation and assess the condition of the plantar fascia.
This rapid and non-invasive examination is carried out directly on site at Médecine podiatrique du Plateau, ensuring a precise and personalized diagnosis.
- In-clinic treatment
Solutions include specific exercises, tapings to support fascia, custom-made foot orthotics, injections, physical therapies like therapeutic laser, and shoe adjustments to limit tension.
3 treatments to try at home while waiting for your consultation
While waiting to see a podiatrist to relieve your heel pain, a few simple things you can do at home can provide real relief.
These methods help reduce inflammation, relax the tissues underfoot, and reduce pain.
1. Apply ice
Ice is a great way to calm inflammation and relieve pain.
Take a bottle of ice water, put it under your foot and roll it gently for 10 minutes, three times a day.
This movement not only soothes the pain, but also massages the plantar fascia, reducing the accumulated tension.
2. Wear suitable shoes
Absolutely avoid walking barefoot or in flat shoes that offer no support.
Opt for shoes designed to support the arch of the foot, with a slightly raised heel and a rigid sole that doesn’t bend easily.
Avoid flat sandals, flip-flops or shoes that are too soft.
A good shoe helps distribute pressure evenly on the foot and prevent pain from getting worse.
You should wear these shoes from the moment you get out of bed.
3. Use a tennis ball
To relax the plantar fascia and reduce pain, gently roll a tennis ball under your foot for a few minutes.
This exercise helps improve blood circulation, reduce muscle tension, and stimulate sore tissue.
These simple treatments, combined with adapted habits, can greatly improve your comfort while waiting for a consultation with our podiatrists.
Why choose Médecine podiatrique du Plateau?
When you suffer from heel pain, an accurate diagnosis and the right treatments make all the difference.
At Médecine podiatrique du Plateau, we provide you with experienced podiatrists and modern equipment to offer you personalized and effective care.
Fast and accurate diagnosis
With our advanced tools such as X-ray and on-site ultrasound, we quickly identify the origin of your pain, whether it’s plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or another problem.
This precise diagnosis allows you to set up a treatment plan that is perfectly adapted to your situation.
Tailor-made treatments to relieve your pain
- Foot orthotics: Designed specifically for your feet, they provide optimal support, reduce pressure on the heel and correct biomechanical imbalances.
- Therapeutic laser: This treatment helps to progress the wound through the healing stages more quickly by stimulating the supply of oxygen and increasing the speed of chemical reactions in the cells.
- Therapeutic exercises: Our podiatrists teach you simple and effective movements to strengthen the foot muscles, stretch the plantar fascia and reduce inflammation.
- Bandages and tapings: These techniques help limit tension on the plantar fascia and promote healing while immediately reducing pain.
- Cortisone injections: In cases of severe inflammation, our podiatrists can administer targeted injections to quickly reduce pain and inflammation.
- Advice on suitable shoes: We help you choose shoes that offer adequate support and minimize the risk of recurrence, taking into account your lifestyle and daily activities.
Human and professional support
At Médecine podiatrique du Plateau, we understand how much heel pain can disrupt your daily life.
That’s why our team is committed to offering you personalized follow-up and practical advice to help you regain your comfort and mobility.
Make an appointment today to benefit from adapted care and rediscover the pleasure of walking without pain.
