Health Talk: Why Do My Feet Hurt? Recent Study Highlights Two Conditions

Dr. Roger Singh

Having pain on the sole of the feet is a common condition that can be confused as being plantar fasciitis. It is possible to have pain as result of degeneration or irritation of the fat pad on the heel of the foot. Here is a summary of the similarities and differences between the two conditions based on a recent study.

Patients with plantar fasciitis commonly experienced first-step pain in the morning and relief of pain after walking. Unilateral pain was more common than bilateral, and patients with plantar fasciitis had pain duration of less than 6 months. Patients with plantar fasciitis also had decreased ankle dorsiflexion (bringing the foot upward). As such, their pain could be aggravated with dorsiflexion.

Patients with fat pad atrophy suffered from not only aching pain but also tingling, cold and burning sensations. They complained of pain after a long walk, pain at night and resting pain. Bilateral pain was more common than unilateral pain. In 61.1% of patients with fat pad atrophy, pain duration was over 6 months, and 22% of these patients had pain duration of over 2 years.

It was also noted that both conditions can occur simultaneously, presenting with symptoms that fit both conditions.

Both of these conditions are responsive to treatment, including orthotics. In the case of plantar fasciitis, it can be treated with Myofascial Release Technique and Graston Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Technique, which has proven to be very effective methods of treatment with patients showing very positive results.

Speak with a health professional at Form and Function today to get your feet healthy and happy!