MY heel hurts!!! Owie!!!

Benching an NBA Superstar Faster Than Foul Trouble

Tony Parker, Kobe Bryant, and even Shaq have all fallen victim to a condition that is receiving some national spotlight right now. This condition also plagues over 100 million Americans each year. Can you guess what it is? If you were going to say Plantar Fasciitis you would be correct.

    So what is Plantar Fasciitis? Plantar Fasciitis involves the long thick tissue that runs the length of the bottom of the foot. The tissue starts at the heel bone and extends toward the toes. Patients with Plantar Fasciitis will commonly complain of heel pain. Patients generally notice the greatest amount of pain first thing in the morning when they get out of bed. During the night, as we sleep, the thick band of tissue will tighten up and loose its elasticity. We could compare this to an old rubber band that has lost the ability to stretch. As the rubber band is pulled, it requires more and more force. Much like the rubber band, patients will also lose some range of motion when moving their toes toward their shin. This motion pulls on the tissue and is quite painful.  Athletes are highly susceptible to Plantar Fasciitis due to the nature of their activities. People who increase their physical activities too quickly or run, are at an increased risk in developing Plantar Fasciitis. Also, those athletes who carry out the same physical activities day in and day out have an increased risk of stretching and pulling the tissue in the bottom of the foot and acquiring Plantar Fasciitis.

What can be done to help both the athletes and non-athletes alike? A Podiatrist, such as Dr. Pandya, has extensive training and experience when it comes to dealing with the feet. He can help alleviate the symptoms associated with heel pain and Plantar Fasciitis. Dr. Pandya has treated many cases of Plantar Fasciitis, and will be able to assess your individual situation and find a solution that both fits your lifestyle and relieves your heel pain. Don’t continue living with the discomfort of Plantar Fasciitis, Dr. Pandya can be reached at (518)273-0053 or on the web at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com .