Would Adult Stem Cells Help Plantar Fasciitis?

Adult stem cells in recent years have shown a bright future in the medical world. Examples of how adult stem cells have made a difference include restoring vision to a blind man, growing a human liver, and the potential to regrow fingers and toes.
Embryonic stem cells have a controversial past due to the nature of their procurement via the destruction of a fertilized human embryo. There has been successful research with somatic stem cells, also known as adult stem cells. The difference between embryonic and adult stem cells is that embryonic cells can transform into any type of cell, while adult cells can transform into a limited group of cells.
New plantar fasciitis research has used adult stem cells taken from bone marrow, fat, or amniotic material. the benefit of this treatment is that it not only soothes pain, but can regenerate damaged tissue. The procedure is considered outpatient and has no risks.
Besides plantar fasciitis, adult stem cells have been used to treat arthritis, tennis elbow, rotator cuff symptoms, Achilles tendonitis, and other conditions.
For those who suffer long periods of time with plantar fasciitis, or have recurring bouts, this may be a viable option for their condition. We'll watch and see what the future brings for this treatment option.
Reference: Inquistr
If you have heel pain, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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New Orleans Saints' Jimmy Graham Playing With Torn Plantar Fascia

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham has a partially torn plantar fascia and is continuing to play despite the injury.
Graham played last week against the Buffalo Bills, scoring two touchdowns.
"He told me it's a pain issue and is heading over to test it early. Felt better Friday, but still a very painful issue. If he can play Saints will put him on pitch count," tweeted Jay Glazer.
Graham was injured in the fourth quarter in the October 13th game against the New England Patriots. He was limping and went to the sidelines to be taped. Graham played a few more snaps before leaving for the locker room.
The Saints had a bye week October 20th, but his injury continued throughout the week. Graham returned to practice that Friday, where he ran routes and practiced in a limited capacity.
Graham had been listed as questionable to play against the Bills and ended up being a game-time decision

after coaches watched him run and cut on the foot in a pregame workout. Graham caught three passes for 37 yards and two touchdowns in under 20 snaps.
"It's gonna hurt. But football hurts. That's just how it is," Graham said after the game. "It's just, 'How much pain can you endure?' And you know, I'm pretty good at that."
Graham and Saints coach Sean Payton say there is no serious risk of further injuring his foot if he continues to play. For Graham it will be a matter of pain management. As we've blogged about before, it is often better for the plantar fascia to tear completely, rather than it be a partial tear, as the pain is worse with a partial than a complete. Graham has not specified if his is completely torn.
"I mean, that's an oxymoron, right?," Graham said. "I've heard a couple different things by a couple different doctors. I've talked to a lot of people, and I'm not sure. I guess we'll see.
"You know me, it doesn't matter how I feel. I'm very competitive, and I want as many opportunities as I can get to help this team. But I'm gonna do what (Payton) asks me to do and what my body allows me to do, and I'm just gonna take it day by day."
In Graham's second touchdown, he had to make an adjustment to his trademark touchdown dance- dunking the ball over the goalpost. But Graham didn't let a silly injury stop him.
"I still dunked it. But I dunked off my right foot because I can do both," Graham said. "So this time I just jumped off the right foot and dunked with the left. There will never be a moment I won't dunk it."
Good for you, Jimmy Graham. Good for you.
References: ESPN
If you have heel pain, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Marcus Camby To Have Surgery

Hartford native Marcus Camby was waived by the Houston Rockets Monday afternoon and will have

surgery this week on his torn plantar fascia.
Camby's agent, Rick Kaplan, said the center may return in a coaching or scouting capacity while he is recuperating from the left foot plantar fascia surgery, which will sideline him for up to three months.
The injury has been bothering him since last season with the New York Knicks, and Camby regrets not taking care of the injury sooner. Kaplan said Camby, 39, hopes to continue his NBA career after the surgery. Camby is the second oldest player in the NBA, behind Lakers point guard Steve Nash.
"He definitely has a thirst to play," Kaplan said.
"I understand the situation," Camby told KRIV-TV in Houston. "They need healthy guys. Once I get healthy, you can expect to see me again."
Camby, a former Defensive Player of the Year in 2006-07, has been in the NBA for 18 years and was signed to the Houston Rockets in the offseason to provide depth and insurance for a team that has Dwight Howard and Omer Asik. The team may check in with Camby later in the season before they have to finalize playoff eligibility on March 1st.
Camby has a guaranteed contract worth $1.4 million and does not plan on retiring any time soon.
"You'll still see me around the organization," Camby said. "I have a great deal of respect for the organization and Coach [Kevin] McHale.
"It's tough. I'm going to try hard to get back out there on the basketball court as quickly as possible. They have been great down here in Houston, and you haven't seen the last of me being down here."
Camby averaged 1.8 points and 3.3 rebounds last season for the Knicks. During his career, he averaged 9.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
References: CBS Sports, ESPN, and Yahoo Sports
If you have heel pain, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Tennis Champ Shahar Peer Out With Injury

Israeli tennis star Shahar Peer had just returned to the top 100 after struggling for months with form and

confidence. She will now be out the rest of the season with a foot injury.
Peer had a partial tear of the plantar fascia.
Peer had an MRI in Ningbo China where she was playing the WTA $125K Challenge several weeks ago which revealed the injury. The 26 year old won her first round match at the Ningbo tournament but after experiencing pain in her foot she went for the test.
Peer posted on her Facebook page: "As a result of the tear, Shahar decided, based on advice from several doctors, to retire from the rest of the tournament. The decision about her care, as well as future tournaments and the rest of the season, will be made in the upcoming few days with her doctors."
Peer was ranked as high as no. 11 and was just one win away from becoming the first Israeli to break into the world's top 10 a few years ago.
Reference: Tennis World USA
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Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Colts Rookie Werner Out 4-6 Weeks With Injury

The Indianapolis Colts were pleased with their impressive 2012 NFL Draft Class, hoping they would bring their team to Super Bowl glory.
Last week, the Colts lost a 2013 Draft Class member, on top of the two from 2012 they had already lost to injuries.
Coach Chuck Pagano told the media last Monday that first-round selection Bjorn Werner will miss four to six weeks after sustaining a torn plantar fascia in his right foot in last Sunday's 37-3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He joins Vick Ballard and Dwayne Allen on the injury list.
The German-born rookie outside linebacker was picked 24th overall in the 2013 Draft from Florida State University where he earned All-American recognition and has been used mainly in nickle packages. So far in the season he has four tackles, one-half sack, and one quarterback pressure as a pass-rushing specialist behind starter Erik Walden.
Carl Johnson, who was acquired from the San Francisco 49ers before the start of the season will fill Werner's place.
Pagano said of Werner, "He was getting comfortable. You could see the confidence level rising. He was playing faster. It's a shame it happened, but it's part of the game."
References: ESPN and NFL.
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Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Logan Forsythe Still Dealing With Plantar Fasciitis

We've said it again and again: plantar fasciitis just does not "disappear", nor does it "magically" get better on
its own. Those who suffer from plantar fasciitis will often suffer for years, try many therapies and treatments, and after finding the one that works best for their particular case, it will go away.
So these athletes who think they can ignore their plantar fasciitis and it will just go away are living in a fantasy land.
San Diego Padres infielder Logan Forsythe was hit with a nasty bout of plantar fasciitis during spring training and it kept him out of the lineup until the second week of June. He revealed last month that it has returned.
"The doctors told me earlier that it doesn't return, but it did," Forsythe told reporters while discussing the injury that has kept him in limited play.
OK, so we don't know what podiatrist you saw, Logan, but no podiatrist would ever tell you that plantar fasciitis would never return. It can return if you failed to keep up with icing, stretching, or wearing your orthotics. Sometimes years will go by before it returns, sometimes months.
At the time of the press conference, Forsythe had not played since September 3rd, and his only activity in those eight games was four pinch-hitting appearances, including a game-winning hit against Atlanta and an inning at shortstop against Philadelphia.
He plans to play as many games as possible to the end of the season, however.
"Logan is playable," said Padres manager Bud Black. "He wants to finish strong. But he's had a bit of a rough go at it."
"I want to finish the season with the guys," Forsythe said. "I want to play, I'm trying to play. This is something totally unexpected. I guess we'll talk about what to do when the season ends."
Forsythe said the pain in his foot started to return after the All-Star break and has progressively gotten worse since then, but it's not as bad as it was in the spring.
The infielder did have an MRI of his right foot. "There's not a tear," he said.
"Surgery is an option, but the doctors are hesitant and there's not guarantee given the history of my feet," Forsythe said.
Before suffering with plantar fasciitis, Forsythe had fractures in both feet to the sesamoid bones. He had surgery, during his junior year of college and in spring 2012 to remove the bones. He believes there is a connection between the problems with his sesamoid bones and plantar fasciitis.
"This is a tough injury," Forsythe said. "Kyle Banks (who suffered plantar fasciitis at the end of the 2009 seasons) and I have talked about it. It's not as bad now as it was earlier, but the plantar fasciitis is bothering me. It is very limiting."
Forsythe said the pain in his feet is worse when he is on his feet for an extended period of time.
"I can hit. I can run. I can play in the field. But the longer I'm out there, the more it hurts," he said.
This season Forsythe is hitting .216 with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 208 at-bats.
Reference: UT San Diego
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Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Buffalo Bills Byrd Battling Plantar Fasciitis

Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd started the third week of practice on the injury list again, with the same injury
designation.
Byrd has been battling plantar fasciitis for several weeks now, having been listed as doubtful before the first two games and later changed to inactive.
"Same thing Mario [Williams] had, it's called plantar fasciitis," Byrd said when his injury was revealed. "It's just a little foot condition. We'll see how it goes."
Byrd shouldn't be so flippant about plantar fasciitis being "a little foot condition". He apparently hasn't been keeping up with other athletes and their plantar fasciitis sagas. I'm sure Albert Pujols feels the plantar fasciitis he has been suffering from for seven years is just a little foot condition.
It has been tough for reporters to gauge Byrd's progress as the number of practices available to them has been limited. During practice the players stretch and then break up into positional groups and defensive backs coach Donnie Henderson leads his players in a light-intensity walk through. Last Wednesday Byrd was the scout team running back at one point.
Other than that, it is difficult to tell how much Byrd has participated in practice.
Bills head coach Doug Marrone said Wednesday that he believes Byrd is approaching a return to the field.
"I think every day there is progress," Marrone said. "It's just a matter of time now until when it gets to that point where he's going to be able to go out there. I think we're getting closer and closer."
"I need to be good to go before I step out there," Byrd told reporters. "Once my body allows me to be out there and be at 100 percent ready to play, I'll go."
Byrd has been to see foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in North Carolina, the same doctor Williams visited at the start of training camp. Anderson confirmed the plantar fasciitis diagnosis and said it would be difficult to play through.
References: ESPN and ESPN.
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What Is Overload Heel Pain Syndrome?

Plantar fasciitis is perhaps the most common cause of heel pain in our patients, but there are many other causes of heel pain. Overload Heel Pain Syndrome is one of many potential causes for your heel pain.
Overload Heel Pain Syndrome affects the padding directly under the heel due to irritation from day to day pressure from walking, standing, and other activities. If you think about it, your heels are really being overworked, not overloaded! Having an abnormally shaped heel bone and carrying too much weight can be causes of Overload Heel Pain Syndrome.
So, what are the differences between plantar fasciitis and Overload Heel Pain Syndrome? Those suffering with plantar fasciitis will usually complain of discomfort on the inside of the heel bone. Patients with Overload Heel Pain Syndrome will say that their heels hurt first thing in the morning when they wake or after rising from rest.
Treatment for Overload Heel Pain Syndrome is typically non-surgical and conservative. The goal is to take some of the weight off the heel bone, so padding, taping, or orthotics may be prescribed. These treatment methods redirect the forces away from the damaged tissue and protect the heel bone from further damage. Some podiatrists will use heat therapies like ultra sound or electrical stimulation to repair the damaged tissues.
If you have heel pain, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Plantar Fasciitis During Pregnancy

Congratulations! You are about to experience one of life's greatest joys and gifts: giving birth and becoming a parent. 
Many women will experience weird and wild cravings, some will develop gestational diabetes, and many will experience changes in their feet and ankles. Typically women will experience swelling in their feet and ankles (has anyone seen Kim Kardashian's feet stuffed into too tight shoes since she's been pregnant?!), but plantar fasciitis is another common foot ailment pregnant women will develop.
As your pregnancy progresses, your center of balance will shift as you begin to gain weight. Your new center of balance will be over your knees and feet, which causes many women to over-pronate. When you over-pronate, you begin to experience symptoms of pain in the arch, heel, and ball of foot. 
One of the symptoms of plantar fasciitis is pain at the fat pad on the bottom of your foot. This occurs because of the added weight you are now carrying and increased pressure on your feet. Your fat pad will become inflamed and you will likely feel pain in your heel.
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that can be easily treated with conservative treatment. Women who are pregnant and experiencing plantar fasciitis should stay off their feet as much as possible. Your plantar fascia is becoming aggravated because of that increased pressure when you are on your feet. Don't try to do a Kim Kardashian- if your shoes are feeling too tight or small, purchase a pair you can wear while you are pregnant. Your feet will thank you, we promise! Stretch and ice your feet often. We'll often hear from patients who've suffered with plantar fasciitis that this is what helps them the most. So stretch often and be consistent. Some patients may need custom orthotics, which we size in our offices. Orthotics will help keep your proper arch and give support in areas where you need it most. 
Again, congrats!
References: Heel That Pain!
If you have heel pain, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Icing For Heel Pain

Icing is one of the most important aspects of your treatment plan given to you by your podiatrist. When you

ice your plantar fascia or heel, it reduces pain and swelling, which allows the ligament to heal faster. And who doesn't want to get better, faster? 
So when we recommend icing, what do we mean? There are three different methods you can use when icing your plantar fasciitis. The most traditional method is to put cubes of ice in a Ziploc bag. You can even add a little water to allow the bag to contour to your foot. 
Another method is to go in your freezer and pull out that bag of broccoli you've just been meaning to use. Well, you're going to use it now! The bag can be refrozen to be used again, but the food cannot be eaten. So pick a bag from your freezer that's been in there a while. Gel packs are another option and can be refrozen endless times. 
Finally, the best option for icing your plantar fasciitis is to freeze water in paper or Styrofoam cups. When you are ready to ice, peel away the paper or Styrofoam and massage the ice over the affected area in a circular motion. As the ice melts, peel the paper away a little more. 
Now when you're icing, you never want to have the ice directly on your foot, unless it's the third option. To prevent frostbite, place a hand towel or several paper towels between the affected area and your ice. If you get to the point when you experience pins and needles, remove the ice immediately. Your skin should warm up within 45 minutes and sensation should return, but if it doesn't, contact your podiatrist. 
Icing is most effective when done within two hours of ending your activity. Ice as soon as you feel the strain on your plantar fascia, or after a long day of standing on your feet, exercising, or anything else that would cause swelling. 
Keep the ice on for between 15-20 minutes. Any longer than 20 minutes can cause damage to the ligament. Wait 45 minutes for your skin to warm and normal sensation has returned. You can repeat icing as often as you feel it is beneficial, but remember to wait 45-60 minutes between icing. 
Reference: Heel That Pain
If you have heel pain, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Red Sox's Napoli Gets Cortisone Shot For Plantar Fasciitis

Mike Napoli appeared in the Red Sox's lineup on Saturday for the first time in more than a week after
getting a cortisone shot in his foot to alleviate the pain from the plantar fasciitis he's been suffering from. Napoli had three hits, including a RBI single in the first inning.
"I got to play a couple of innings here and there the past week, and it felt alright," Napoli said. "The reason why I got the injection was because I was at a point where it was bothering me pretty good. I'm going to go into treatment for every day, like I've been, and try to take care of it as best as I possibly can.
"I'm just going to have to grind through it and play through some pain- which I have been already."
Los Angeles Anaheim star Albert Pujols recently called it quits for the season because of his ongoing plantar fasciitis, hoping it will have healed by spring training next year.
"Everyone is different," Napoli said. "Everyone can handle things differently. I don't know what was going on in his situation. Only time will tell. We'll see what happens. I'm going to try to stay out on the field and deal with it as much as possible."
"I don't feel it one bit hitting," the Red Sox first baseman said. "That has nothing to do with anything. Running is definitely the worst part of it- sometimes in the field, going to first base."
Like Pujols, Napoli's production has seen a slump as well. He's hitting a paltry .232 with a .339 on-base percentage and .338 slugging percentage since May 10, and he's struck out 112 times in the last 322 plate appearances. And his numbers are worse since the All-Star break: Napoli is hitting .189 with a .305 on-base percentage and .389 slugging percentage.
The team is hoping the cortisone shot and a week off his feet will help Napoli get back to normal.
"The foot issue has calmed down enough to feel like he's confident not only in the box but defensively," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "What we've seen is that when Mike has been compact with his swing at the plate, that's when he's driven balls. The swing hasn't gotten long. He's had a bit more swing and miss at those times."
Reference: Providence Journal
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Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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What Is Astym Therapy?

Astym treatment, or therapy, is a physical therapy treatment that eliminates and reduces scar tissue that may

be causing discomfort or pain. It regenerates healthy soft tissues like muscles, tendons.
This treatment is used for restoring movement and reducing pain from soft tissue injuries or dysfunction and is sometimes used when all other treatment options have failed. Astym therapy was designed to target the underlying causes of soft tissue problems, rather than just treat the symptoms.
Astym therapy has proven effective in many cases of plantar fasciitis. In diagnosis trials, 1,131 patients with plantar fasciitis were studied using the Astym therapy. 92% of patients showed marked improvement after the treatment, while 7.6% showed no improvement at all. .4% patients exhibited worse symptoms
The treatment is non-invasive, with no injections or incisions. The instruments used in the therapies are applied topically to locate unhealthy or diseased tissues and to transfer mild to moderate pressure to the underlying soft tissue structures. This treatment encourages tissue turnover, scar tissue resorption, and the regeneration of tendons, muscles, and other soft tissue structures.
Astym treatment is done twice weekly for four to five weeks, depending on the severity of your plantar fasciitis (roughly nine treatments), and is done in conjunction with physical therapy exercises like eccentric loading, stretching, and functional exercises. This option encourages patients to remain active, continue working, and athletes to continue training and playing while they receive treatment. The Astym treatment claims to make the tissues affected stronger and allows a patient's body to become used to greater stress without injury.
Astym therapy is used in physical therapy clinics, hospitals, and industrial rehabilitation centers. It is not a treatment option we provide for our patients in our six offices, however.
Reference: Astym.Com
If you have heel pain, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Jerry Seinfeld Has No Jokes About Heel Pain

This past April comedian Jerry Seinfeld visited the New York College of Podiatric Medicine to thank

APMA member Dr. Joseph D'Amico for ending his 30 year struggle with heel pain. Can you imagine spending 30 years of your life suffering with something as debilitating as heel pain?
Dr. D'Amico performed a biomechanical exam along with a computer-assisted gait analysis to treat Seinfeld's long-term heel pain. Dr. D'Amico is the former chair of the orthopedics department at the school and a longtime instructor and succeeded in determining the biomechanical problems of Seinfeld's feet where other medical professionals had failed. 
Seinfeld recalled how difficult it was for him to watch reruns of Seinfeld because of how much pain he was in during the filming of the show. With regards to the show, Seinfeld commented, "I have a hard time watching reruns because I see the shoes on my feet and remember how painful that experience was." 
Seinfeld was so appreciative of the medical care he received from Dr. D'Amico he made a donation to the Gait Laboratory of Biomechanical Research at NYCPM as well as a donation to fully fund the Richard O. Schuster Memorial biomechanics seminar. 
If you have heel pain, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
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Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Kelly Olynyk Out Of Canadian National Team

Plantar fasciitis has been beyond pesky for athletes lately.
Boston Celtics rookie 7-footer Kelly Olynyk was not be able to compete for a spot on the Canadian

national team because of plantar fasciitis.
"Nothing too serious, but he just needs to rest and recover," said a source close to the Canadian national team.
Olynyk missed last week's senior men's national team training camp session because of the condition, which prepares the players for the world championship qualification tournament starting on August 30th. The team announced their list of 18 players who were set to play at the camp, and Olynyk was not on the list. Olynyk grew up in Toronto and has been a part of the Canadian national team in the past.
"He's so keen about wanting to play, but the Celtics had some concerns," said national team head coach Jay Triano.
The Celtics traded up to the No. 13 overall pick to draft Olynyk, who has been a top performer in the five games at the Orlando Summer League, averaging a team-high 18 points and 7.8 rebounds in 24.3 minutes. He was voted to the league's first team.
Boston fans are excited about his potential, but Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has said that he sees Olynyk weighing 260 pounds- 20 more than he does now- as a power forward who can play center occasionally.
"I don't see Kelly as a go-to-guy in the NBA," Ainge said on the day Olynyk was introduced to the media, "but a guy that complements the rest of the guys on the team and makes them all better."
Olynyk, a former Gonzaga star is smart to rest his injury so he will have plenty of time to recuperate before the star of the NBA season.
Reference: Boston Globe and SB Nation.
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Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
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The Pujols Tale Continues

Really, we feel badly when we have to blog multiple times about one athlete. What that means is their foot or ankle condition has not gotten any better and has typically worsen to the "no looking back" stage.
I blogged just two weeks ago about Albert Pujols and how he was considering having surgery on his plantar fasciitis once the season was done. However, it looks like Pujols won't have to wait until the end of the season to get that surgery done on his plantar fascia.
The Los Angeles Angels announced Sunday via Twitter that Pujols was being placed on the 15-day disabled

list: "Today the club placed A. Pujols on the 15-day DL (retro to 7/27) with a partial tear of the left plantar fascia."
Rut roh. According to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, manager Mike Scioscia believes Pujols will miss a substantial amount of time: "Angels MGR Mike Scioscia said DH Albert Pujols will be out "for a significant amount of time."
So how long? Well, Yahoo! sports writer Tim Brown believes the 33 year old will likely be out the rest of the season, tweeting, "Source: Pujols has been told he's likely done for the season. Surgery possible, but undetermined."
How long do we think, since we're experts on plantar fascia tears? Likely the rest of the season, as Brown has reported. Even two months rest would bring him into October and the postseason, and at that point, he might as well stay out the rest of the season.
Pujols has been dealing with plantar fasciitis on and off for close to ten seasons, but this is the worst it has ever been. He had been hopeful the four day break for the All-Star game would give it some time to rest, and he had been hitting well since the return- 11-for-29- but his pain is no better.
"It's been the same," Pujols said in Spanish. "I still feel some pain. I still feel it bothering me a bit. That's something that in the offseason, with time and rest, hopefully the pain can go away."
In the past Pujols has been able to deal with the pain, but this season the pain hasn't gone away and all of those years playing through the pain have caught up with him.
"That's how it is when you've been playing with something nine years," he said. "That's what the doctor told me. He said, 'Look, you've been nine or 10 years playing with this and it gets worse.' It's like if you have an injury in your arm and you keep throwing. What do you think? It's a long year, and it's going to catch up to you. That's what happened."
It looked like he aggravated the injury on Friday night against the Oakland Athletics, which could explain the partial tear he now has in his plantar fascia.
Compared to years past, Pujols is putting up low- to average numbers, hitting just .258 with 17 home runs and 64 RBIs. Certainly not terrible numbers, but nothing compared to what he used to put up in the past. Pujols' struggles are reflected in the performance of the team, which is currently 12 games back in the American League West and 8.5 games back in the wild-care race.
If you've been following sports at all this year, you know how bad a plantar fascia tear can be. Los Angeles Lakers player Pau Gasol was out a couple of months while his plantar tear repaired and we've seen several other professional athletes fall victim to the curse. The moral of the story is to rest, rest, rest. Playing through an injury does not make you look like a tough guy, or even a team player. Where will your team be when you're out for multiple months, or even a full season? You'll be in a similar situation as the Angels are in right now.
Reference: Bleacher Report and MLB
If you have heel pain, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
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Bears' McClellin Says Plantar Fasciitis Gone

Chicago Bears defensive end Shea McClellin wants to make it clear the plantar fasciitis in his right foot

he suffered with at the end of last season is gone.
"It started in February," McClellin said during one of the first days of mini-camp last month. "I went in right away to see what it was and just got treatment, and it hasn't affected anything. So I'm good."
McClellin reportedly received Astym treatment, which stimulates the body's healing response. The result is the remodeling of scar tissue and regeneration of degenerated tendons. It's a non-invasive procedure and also involves physical therapy with an acrylic stone.
McClellin was a Bears first round pick in 2012 and stressed that he was not affected by plantar fasciitis during his rookie season and it has not been a significant issue during the offseason.
"I haven't missed anything, so it hasn't been affecting me at all," McClellin reiterated.
When asked if he would pay any attention to his foot in the future, McClellin replied, "No, I don't think so."
We'll have to argue a bit with McClellin's rather flippant reply to that question and point out the case of Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson, who suffered from problems with his heels for year and finally retired this year because of it. Heel pain and plantar fasciitis are not conditions to ignore or brush under the carpet. Baseball player Albert Pujols has been dealing with plantar fasciitis for seven seasons and is considering surgery, usually a last resort, to ease his pain.
McClellin was also asked if his pain was completely gone, and he replied, "Nothing right now. I feel good."
When the pain first appeared for McClellin he described it as "needles in the bottom of your foot." Now he says he has "no worries" going forward.
McClellin also dealt with a knee injury and concussion in his rookie season, finishing with 2.5 sacks, seven tackles, and two tackles for loss in limited playing time in 14 games.
As long as McClellin is feeling healthy, expect to see a lot more of him this season. New Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will be more creative with McClellin in blitz and nickel packages.
Reference: Sun Times
If you have heel pain, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter.

Albert Pujols Thinking About Surgery For Plantar Fasciitis

Albert Pujols has had enough with his plantar fasciitis. Any fan watching an Angels game can clearly tell that Pujols is in terrible pain, especially when he's trying to run the bases. 

Pujols is batting .244 with 13 home runs, 49 RBIs, and a .736 OPS in 83 games this season and is nowhere near the production he has provided in the last ten years. This the worst he has played in his career.
While suffering from his latest bout of plantar fasciitis, he has played designated hitter in 52 games. His usual position, first base, has seen the likes of him just 31 times.
Several weeks ago Pujols told Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times that, "When we get to that point, we'll talk about it. I'm definitely going to try to do something after the season to help me out and not play in that pain I've been playing in. There's no doubt I'll be a full-time first baseman next year."
What Pujols needs, at this point, is to be on the DL for a lengthy period of time to rest the inflammation he's experiencing in his foot. It's admirable that the Angels player wants to continue playing, but he's playing worse now at DH than he was at first base. Comments from fans have included that "my grandfather runs better than Pujols" and "there's a difference between being admirable and idiotic [and] Albert is being idiotic at this point." Even the fans, who always want to see their star player at their best and on the field, recognize that Pujols needs to take a break in order to get back to his All-Star form.
Reference: NBC Sports
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

Exercises For Posterior Heel Pain

Athletes will often experience posterior medial heel pain because of degenerative changes to the plantar fascia, known as plantar fasciopathy. Without a properly functioning plantar fascia, the joints of the big toe, ankle, and hip do not move properly and posterior medial heel pain will develop. Here are three exercises that will help ease your pain:

1. Big toe stretch. Cross your right ankle over your left knee when you are sitting. Take your right big toe and and push it towards your shin. Attempt to push your big toe back into your hand, holding the position for five to seven seconds. Relax and push the toe further back to your shin. Repeat the exercise three to five times and switch legs. 
2. Goblet squat. This squat trains the hip and the ankle to reduce stress on the foot. It will align the arch of the foot and use the muscles of the hip to control foot and ankle actions. Take a kettleball with both hands and hold it at chest level against your body. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart and your toes slightly pointing out. Now shift your weight to the outside of your foot to pop your arch. Squat down, keep the arch in your foot, and return to standing. Repeat up to three set for ten repetitions.
3. One leg lateral anti-rotation press. The hip reduces stress on the posterior medial heel by preventing total collapse of the kinetic chain and the stresses on the body afterwards. Stand with your shoulders perpendicular to a cable column with one foot furthest from the cable column. The cable should be even with your rib cage. Press the cable in front of you and resist the weight pulling you toward the cable column. Do ten repetitions and switch sides. Repeat up to four sets. 

Reference: Livestrong
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

Rays' Longoria Suffering With Plantar Fasciitis

Tampa Bay Devil Rays slugger Evan Longoria has been starting at designated hitter because he is suffering

from plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
"Just a little plantar issue," said Longoria. "It's probably been bothering me for two weeks now. But it kind of gets to a point where I don't feel like I'm doing any good to go out there and run around on it. So I can DH and still be effective.
"... It's just standing around, really. It feels pretty good at the beginning of the game. And by the time the end of the game comes around, if I've been in the field, it gets pretty sore."
The Rays have been playing some long games recently, and Longoria believes this is partly to blame for the plantar fasciitis flare-up. 
"Some of those games in the Boston series, I was hurting by the end of the game," Longoria said. "My hope is that with a couple of DH days, stay off the turf here and then get the off-day going into Boston, that should give it enough time to be fine and I should be back out there."
This is the first time Longoria has dealt with the plantar fasciitis devil.
"It's something I haven't dealt with before. And it's pretty painful, so I can understand what Albert (Pujols) is dealing with over there in Anaheim. It's kind of a weird deal. But it's not going to keep me off the field. Whether it's DH or in the field, I feel like I should be over it by the off-day (on Monday)," Longoria said. 
We love your enthusiasm and your positive attitude, Evan, really we do, but it's highly unlikely you'll "be over it" any time soon. You've clearly never had plantar fasciitis before, and don't realize how long it's going to take for you to feel 100% again. Only with time, rest, and rehabilitation will you feel better! Have a chat with Albert Pujols, who has been suffering from plantar fasciitis for more than seven years!
Kelly Johnson has been filling in defensive for Longoria while he's playing DH.
Reference: MLB
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

What Is Plantar Fasciosis?

You've likely heard of plantar fasciitis before. Plantar fasciitis is characterized by the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a strong connective tissue in the sole of your foot. But what is plantar fasciosis?
Plantar fasciosis, like plantar fasciitis, has symptoms of heel pain and pain in your plantar fascia, but this condition involves degeneration, micro-tears, and cell death of the plantar fascia. It typically affects active men between the ages of 40 and 70. 
Plantar fasciosis usually affects those who have a high arch or are flat footed. Those with the condition will have pain or discomfort at the point where your plantar fascia connects to your heel bone. Plantar fasciosis can also be known as calcaneal spur syndrome or calcaneal enthesopathy and involves stretching, tearing, and degeneration of your plantar fascia at its attachment site. 
Your podiatrist will perform X-rays to determine the cause of your heel pain. If they discover a bone spur at the site of the pain, is it not the cause of your pain, but is indicative that your plantar fascia has been exerting excessive force on your heel bone. 
One of the causes for plantar fasciosis is inappropriate footwear. Shoes that have a tapered toe box hold your toe in an adducted and extended position. When your toe is in this position, it pulls on a part of the foot called the flexor retinaculum and restricts the blood flow to your posterior tibial artery, the artery that carries blood to the bottom of your foot. The tissues in the sole of your feet will start to deteriorate as the blood supply to this area is decreased.
Other conditions that cause plantar fasciosis are:

• Calf muscle shortening
• Obesity
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Corticosteroid injections
• Plantar fascia contracture
• Reactive arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis

Signs and symptoms of plantar fasciosis include mild swelling and redness in the affected area, impaired ability to move, and tenderness on the bottom on your heel.
Your podiatrist will recommend you wear different shoes that do not constrict your feet and keep them in your natural position. You should look for shoes with a flat heel, wide toe box, no toe spring, and have flexible soles. They will also recommend stretching exercises to rehabilitate your foot. Dietary changes and aerobic exercises are important for those who are overweight. They may find that water aerobics helpful. Physical therapy may also be part of your podiatrist's treatment plan.
Reference: Northwest Foot and Ankle
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

Pressure Sores On the Heel

Are you experiencing pain in your heel due to a sore? Decubitus ulcerations are pressure sores that develop

on the back of the heel. These are typically seen in people who are bedridden and are unable to shift or transition in a bed or chair. Pressure sores are common in those who are hospitalized for long periods of time, wheelchair users, frail elderly, or critically ill patients.
Our skin can unfortunately only withstand increased pressure for a short period of time, and when pressure is applied to soft tissue at the back of the heel for hours or days, this results in partially or total obstructed blood flow to the soft tissue. The skin will begin to breakdown and a wound or ulceration will develop.
Usually the ulcerations happen over a bony prominence. These areas are very tender and can become infected if untreated. Ulcerations can also occur because of protein-calorie malnutrition, microclimate, diseases that reduce blood flow to the skin, such as atheriosclerosis, or paralysis and neuropathy. 
Treatment of decubitus ulcers will involve cleaning the wound and offloading the sore. When pressure is relieved from the skin, the wound responds well and the wound will heal.  Healing of pressure sores may be slowed by the age of the person, medical conditions, smoking, or anti-inflammatory medications. 
Treatment may also include a few pillows under the calf and verbal instructions on offloading for patients who are light, mobile, and have good protective sensation. Patients who are obese, immobile, and bedridden will do better with rigid ankle brace offloading devices, like Pressure Relief Ankle Foot Orthosis (PRAFO).
Reference: Texas Heel Pain Center and Podiatry Today. 
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

Bone Tumors In the Heel

Bone tumors in the heel are extremely rare and can be one of the causes of heel pain. 
There are three types of tumors in the heel: intraosseus lipoma, osteoid osteoma, and unicameral bone cyst. 

An intraosseus lipoma is a benign tumor made of lipose or fat tissue that develops inside the bone. On an X-ray, it would look like a hole in the bone. Males are affected more than females and it can occur in people ages 5 to 85. Treatment for this type of tumor is through surgical excision and using a bone graft to fill in the space. 
An osteoid osteoma is also a benign tumor that appears like a centralized hardened bone surrounded by soft tissue. Men are twice as likely to be affected as females, but it is most common in children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 19. The pain from this tumor is usually worst at night and can be relieved with aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Pain will usually subside after two and a half years, but if the pain worsens or the patient cannot endure the pain, surgical excision will be performed. 

A unicameral bone cyst is a fluid filled cyst that is found in children. This cyst is found near the edge of the heel bone, making the bone prone to fracture. The cyst is usually removed and filled with bone graft. 
None of these bone tumors in the heel are life threatening, but they can cause failure fractures and severe pain in some patients. X-rays are typically prescribed to rule out bone tumors in heel pain patients. 
Reference: FAANT
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

Seattle Seahawks Avril Has Injured Plantar Fascia

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril has not been participating in team workouts since he suffered an injury to his plantar fascia five week ago. 
Coach Pete Carroll said last week that Avril was progressing in his recovery and would start running again the end of last week. He said Avril won't be able to participate in team practices for "another couple weeks at least."
When asked if Avril's injury was serious, Carroll replied, "Well, it hurts. You could ask him about it. The plantar fascia thing is a real uncomfortable thing. You just have to wait it out. It's something that you can come back from. It's not a problem. But you just have to wait it out. He's real anxious to go, and he's doing very well in his rehab. And he runs some this week for the first time. So it will take another couple weeks at least."
Avril signed a two year $15 million contract with the Seahawks this offseason after playing five seasons with the Detroit Lions. Avril had 9.5 sacks last season and was signed this season with Michael Bennett to boost their pass rush and provide insurance for defensive end Chris Clemons, who tore his ACL in the team's playoff victory against the Washington Redskins. 
Participating in the OTAs is not a necessity for veterans like Avril. It is likely he will also be held out the rest of the offseason, including next month's minicamp. 
Reference: Pro Football Talk
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

Joakim Noah Looking To Avoid Surgery

Joakim Noah tried rest (well, what he called rest- we saw him on the court a lot more than he probably

should have been) to calm his plantar fasciitis, but that didn't seem to work. 
With the Chicago Bulls now eliminated from the NBA playoffs, it's now a question if more rest and rehabilitation is what he needs. Should Noah have surgery for his plantar fasciitis?
According to the Chicago Sun Times, both Noah and the Bulls would prefer Noah avoid surgery. "That hasn't been determined," said head coach Tom Thibideau. "Obviously we'd like to avoid the surgery. He has responded a lot better. He has found something that has worked. We want him to get completely healthy. That will be the focus, getting him back to 100 percent. He needs some rest, as most of the guys do. Same thing with Luol Deng. We have to get him completely healthy again. Those are two players that we'll be on top of right away."
Surgery for plantar fasciitis is for the cases that are the worst of the worst. This is not a treatment course we recommend for the average case, as conservative treatment usually clears up the condition. If you visit a podiatrist and they recommend surgery as their first course of treatment, you need to get a second opinion. Most cases clear up with conservative treatment. 
Noah may indeed be one of those cases that truly needs surgery, but we have to wonder if he has dedicated enough time to resting and following conservative treatment. Now that he won't be pounding the floor several times a week, and wearing those horrid, unsupportive shoes he wears when playing, perhaps he has a chance of healing on his own. But what he needs to do is stay off the court, stretch, ice, find a better basketball shoe, and make getting better his priority. 
Reference: Slam Online
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

Is Heel Pain An Epidemic?

We treat a lot of heel pain in our four offices, and it's obviously a diverse enough topic for us to dedicate an entire, weekly blog to it.
But is heel pain an epidemic? Diabetes is certainly an epidemic, but heel pain?
Past president of the American Podiatric Medical Association Michael King, who practices in Fall Rivers, Massachusetts, argues that it is, saying that he "sees 18 to 20 patients a day with plantar fasciitis. Heel pain is epidemic." As for a number of how many people who have this condition he can only guess. "Some people just tolerate the pain and try to get by."
Think about it: if you've had heel pain in the past, how have you dealt with it? Have you immediately made an appointment with a podiatrist, or have you said to yourself, "Well, I'll wait and see if this gets better. It's not that bad right now."? 
We've blogged a lot lately about athletes who have had multiple, recurrent cases of plantar fasciitis and heel pain. Joakim Noah has been in and out of basketball, Pau Gasol tried to ignore it and he ended up tearing his plantar fascia, and Albert Pujols has been suffering for seven years. Seven years!!! 
What frustrates podiatrists most about heel pain and plantar fasciitis is that it can be completely preventable when you take care of your feet and see a doctor right away. Who really wants to wake up in the morning and not be able to get out of bed because they can't move their feet? 
One of the culprits of heel pain is the flip-flop, the podiatrist's nemesis. "Flip-flops seem to be a major source of foot pain. People walk into the office wearing shoes that they should have replaced months ago," says podiatrist Elizabeth Kurtz, who practices in Chicago. 
King sees it too. "I see a lot of people with pain in the fall because they've been wearing cheap flip-flops all summer," he says. 
Heel pain doesn't just affect those who don't wear proper footwear. Runners and walkers are often hit with heel pain if they've recently increased their mileage or pace. It also appears in middle-aged people who live sedentary lives and have a little extra weight. 
If you've tried over the counter products, you'll find that they only provide temporary relief. Some will purchase heel cushions to try to ease the pain, but the source of the pain isn't actually from the heel- it's from the arch. Orthotics, whether over the counter or custom made by a podiatrist, will be the best fix for your heel pain, as they will ease the pain.
When looking to recover from heel pain, remember that it's going to take longer than a week. The damage that created the pain took longer than a week to develop, so it will likely take several weeks up to several months. Don't go barefoot and don't wear flimsy shoes, especially flip-flops. Our Bristol office offers shockwave therapy, which can reduce the inflammation and pain. Traditionally shockwave therapy has been used to break up kidney stones.
Reference: LA Times.
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

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Natural Supplements For Heel Pain

Heel pain can be a very difficult thing to experience and you may not be interesting in having a cortisone injection or take ibuprofen. There are several natural remedies you can take which may help the pain and inflammation you're feeling from heel pain.
An effective, natural anti-inflammatory supplement to try is bromelain, which is an enzyme derived from fresh pineapples. You can't find this enzyme in canned pineapple, since it has been cooked and therefore destroyed. When you take it on an empty stomach, it goes right into the blood stream to treat your inflamed tissues.
Sometimes when people eat fresh pineapple, they'll notice that their tongue gets red, and they'll think they're having an allergic reaction. However, this is typically not the case. Bromelain works very quickly, often dissolving right away in your mouth, and your mouth and tongue can become irritated when the protective barrier is dissolved. 
Another option for pain relief is glucosamine sulfate. Glucosamine is a popular supplement often recommended for those who have joint or arthritic pain. The heel is wrapped in connective tissue, and glucosamine works by giving your body the raw materials it needs to repair the damage tissues. It is also a great anti-inflammatory. 
Topical pain relievers can be great as well at treating your symptoms, like Boswellin cream, which has natural pain relieving herbs that soak in and relieve pain faster than taking something orally. Many people feel relief within minutes.
Hot linseed oil packs work best when they are heated. Once the oil is hot, saturate a cloth in the oil and apply the cloth to your affected heel. If could also place a heating pad over the cloth to keep it warm.
When you are taking a bath, consider adding some arnica and chamomile, both herbal remedies thought to be very healing.
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

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Plantar Fascia Rupture

You're running, playing your favorite sport, or simply going up the stairs at your house, when suddenly you feel a snap in your heel, followed by intense pain. Ouch! The pain is so severe that you head to the emergency room, where they tell you you have a ruptured, or torn plantar fascia and refer you to a podiatrist for further treatment. 
Your plantar fascia stretches from your heel bone to your big toe and is the largest ligament in your foot. When you hear someone say, "I have plantar fasciitis and it really hurts!", they're talking about inflammation of the plantar fascia. 
Ruptures of the plantar fascia are not common injuries, but they are often seen in conjunction with someone who has plantar fasciitis. Someone with plantar fasciitis will sometimes have small tears in the ligament which can progress to complete tears when there is too much stress. That's why when we're doing movements that are quick or sudden, our plantar fascia can rupture. 
Sometimes when you have a plantar fascia tear, you may not even feel the tear. You may notice that your foot is swollen, particularly near your heel, and have extreme pain, which is more severe in the morning than the rest of the day. The pain may ebb when resting. 
To know if you have a plantar fascia tear or just plantar fasciitis, the difference is typically that pain with a tear is extreme in the morning, and while it lessens during the day, it never goes away. In plantar fasciitis, the pain will usually go away throughout the day. You will also feel localized pain on the bottom of your foot. Pain that travels elsewhere is likely not a plantar fascia tear. 
The causes for a plantar fascia tear are excessive strain and overuse. When we experience weight gain, are obese, wear worn out shoes, or exercise too vigorously, or have inherent arch issues, we are prone to plantar fascia problems.
Your podiatrist will recommend icing to reduce swelling and inflammation and anti-inflammatory medications to ease your pain. Some will tape your plantar fascia to provide stability and recommend custom orthotics to correct arch issues. Severe cases of a plantar fascia rupture will require cortisone shots or surgery to repair the tendon.
Reference: eHow
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

Related articles

• Botox Found To Help Plantar Fasciitis
• Lateral Plantar Nerve Entrapment

Heel Pain In the Morning

The alarm clock goes off. You sleepily swing your legs out of your bed and place your feet on the ground. You stretch, and rise to get up out of bed... and you collapse on the floor. Your feet are in terrible pain and won't work right!

You hobble over to the alarm clock and turn it off and continue in to the bathroom. As your body warms up, so do your feet and throughout the rest of your day the pain in your heels dissipates. Maybe it was just a fluke. And then it happens the next morning. And the next. Maybe not a fluke.

If this is something that's happened to you, you have heel pain, but you also have post static dyskinesia, a general term which refers to pain after rest. Post static dyskinesia can happen any where in the body, but it is most commonly connected with heel pain. 

The injury itself actually occurs when you take that first step out of bed in the morning. You have been sleeping all night, and your foot relaxes and goes into the plantarflexed or downward position. This position releases the tension on the plantar fascia and over the night, the ligament shortens. So when you take that first step, the ligament has to lengthen and it snaps at your heel bone. This injury causes the pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis. 

To prevent plantar fasciitis and post static dyskinesia from worsening, you should call a podiatrist immediately. They will prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and recommend icing to decrease the inflammation and pain. You will also be told stretches that will help ease the pain. 

If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

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• Botox Found To Help Plantar Fasciitis
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Nuggets Guard Lawson Out Weeks With Heel Injury

If we've learned anything from this NBA season, it's that if you have a plantar fasciitis problem, don't try to

be a muscle man and power through the injury. It's not an injury that gets better with repeated exercise- it gets worse. 
Now, here's another plantar fascia tear casualty- Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson has a plantar fascia tear in his right heel and while it was expected he would be out several weeks, last Tuesday he practiced with the team.
Lawson suffered the injury on March 19th in a 114-104 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder and he missed the next four of five games.
There was no official timetable for Lawson's return, but the Nuggets seem to be optimistic about his prospects for the rest of the season. Coach George Karl told Nuggets.com, "I have a feeling that he had somewhat of a partial tear in his plantar fasciitis (sp), and that's untreatable. But popping it creates a situation where now once the soreness goes away, he probably should be able to be pain-free. It could come in a couple of weeks.
"His job and our job is to figure out how to get him feeling 100% and having some confidence playing the game of basketball. I think it's a situation where it's going to work out. I'm optimistic about how it's going to work out."
After practice last Tuesday, Karl told The Denver Post, "I don't think he took many chances, but he did run up and down the court. He doesn't seem like he was confident. Knowing Ty, he probably won't try overly aggressive game until he's in the game."
Lawson leads Denver in scoring at 16.7 points per game and 6.7 assists. The team has already clinched a playoff berth.
Lawson says his foot feels better than it did, but it's still not 100%. Does anyone else feel like Lawson is being rushed back? Yes, he is the team's best player, but has no one learned from the Pau Gasol debacle? An injury like a plantar fascia tear, whether it's partial or complete, does take time to heal. The few games he sat out are not nearly enough to keep further damage from occurring.
Reference: SB Nation
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.

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