Los Angeles slugger, Albert Pujols, continues to play with heel pain due to plantar fasciitis

According to sports.yahoo.com Albert Pujols is playing baseball in spite of continuous pain in his heel.

According to orangecounty.com, Pujols has had a history of Heel  Pain, due to Plantar Fasciitis in 2004, 2005, and 2006, but never went on the disabled list because of this condition. 

Pujols had surgery on his right knee on October of 2013.  The good news is that the knee is not bothering him.  The bad news is his heel is bothering him.

Pujols continues to play despite the pain in his heel.  He admits that his is limping because of the problem.

The plantar fascia is a broad ligament that is found at the plantar surface or sole of the foot.  It runs from the heel to the toes and helps to support the arch.  If the foot isn’t balanced and supported properly, excessive stress will cause irritation of the plantar fascia, usually close to its insertion at the heel bone or calcaneus.

When this happens, patients complain of pain at the first few steps in the morning.  It is also painful with the first few steps following rest.  The keys to the treatment are to relieve the excessive strain on the plantar fascia and to relieve the inflammation or irritation.

The strain on the plantar fascia can be relieved with Custom Foot Orthotics, Orthopedic Insoles, Foot Beds, or Arch Supports.  You can try off-the-shelf arch supports at the drug store.  However, if this does not do the trick, you may need made to measure orthotics.  This Toronto podiatrist will be happy to help you with orthotics in Toronto.

The other important thing is to relieve the inflammation and irritation.  This can be done with anti-inflammatory pills.  However, many people do not like to take the pills because they can cause problems with your stomach, heart or blood pressure.

Another treatment would be cortisone injection.  However these can be painful and can weaken the connective tissue. 

In my office, I offer an alternative.   We use a low level Laser Pain Treatment and a soundwave treatment called radial wave or pressure wave to relieve the inflammation if the problem has been present for a short period of time.

For someone who has a chronic condition like Pujols, I would recommend a treatment we use in my Toronto podiatry clinic called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Heel Spur Pain, Arch Pain, Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis .  This procedure is performed under local anesthetic.  It is a strong soundwave.  In my experience, approximately 80% of people with chronic plantar fasciitis will experience anywhere from a 50-100% improvement following one treatment.

In spite of plantar fasciitis, Pujols was able to hit two home runs in a game on April 06, 2013.  However, I do not recommend that patients continue to run through plantar fasciitis.  Excessive stress has a way of turning mild plantar fasciitis into a more painful, chronic problem.

When the Angels come to Toronto to play the Blue Jays, Albert is welcome to come to my Toronto foot clinic to find out how extra corporeal shockwave can relieve his heel pain.

 If you, or anyone you care about suffer from heel pain due to plantar fasciitis, please call my office at  416-486-9917 so that we can get you on the road to recovery.