The condition known as Policemans heel or plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot pain. It occurs when the thick band of tissue that runs from your heel bone to your toes becomes inflamed. It is most often felt as a stabbing pain when you take your first steps after waking up or after long periods of sitting down and standing.

Symptoms

Policemans heel (or plantar fasciitis) is pain that occurs when the thick band of tissue in the bottom of the foot called the plantar fascia gets irritated and inflamed. This band of tissue stretches from your heel bone to the toes and helps support the arch of the foot. It’s one of the most common causes of heel and arch pain we see in clinic. The pain is often sharp and stabbing, especially when you take your first steps after waking up or after sitting for long periods of time. It usually decreases throughout the day, but it may return after long periods of walking or running or when you climb stairs.

The condition is caused by overuse of the plantar fascia, causing it to get tight or short and then irritated. This can lead to tiny tears in the fascia. The scar tissue from these tears can cause heel spurs to form.

People who are more likely to develop policemans heel include those who are overweight, those who change their work routine or shoes frequently, runners, and those who spend a lot of time on their feet. Stretches, applying ice, gentle massage and manual treatment like manipulation can help alleviate the pain. Often, the pain will go away by itself in a few months. However, if it doesn’t, we recommend seeing your physiotherapist or podiatrist for further diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis

A health condition known as Policemans Heel is actually a painful inflammation of a thick band of fibrous tissue that runs from your heel to the bottom of your foot. This condition is called plantar fasciitis, and it causes stabbing pain when you first step on your foot in the morning or after sitting for long periods of time.

Specialists diagnose this common condition with a physical examination of your feet and ankles, including X-rays. In some cases, our specialists may need to conduct additional tests to exclude other sources of pain or to confirm the diagnosis.

This pain is caused by tiny tears in the fascia that connects your heel bone to the bottom of your foot. This tissue is designed to support your arch, but too much pressure or stress can cause it to overstretch. As it stretches, the fibers can develop tiny tears on their surface. This causes pain and stiffness. This problem is more common in people who are overweight or who run for exercise. The pain can also affect those who are in jobs that require them to spend long hours on their feet.

Treatment

Once upon a time, policemen patrolled their neighborhoods on foot, and the long hours spent on their feet led to a condition doctors called “policeman’s heel.” The more precise name for this painful heel syndrome is plantar fasciitis, and it involves tearing and inflammation of a thick band of tissue that extends from your heel bone to your toes.

The plantar fascia is a taught structure that helps maintain the arch of your foot. But over time, it can overstretch, and that can cause tiny tears in the fascia. When this happens, you experience pain that feels like a stabbing sensation when you first step on your heel in the morning or after sitting for a long period of time.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis are often improved by resting your foot, icing it, and using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. But if the pain doesn’t go away or becomes worse, contact us.