Karen L. Smith - Killing Heel Pain: Your Final Freedom From Plantar Fasciitis

Copyright 2017 by Karen L. Smith, DPM

Blue Viper Books

P.O. Box 45057

Phoenix, AZ 85253

info@blueviperbooks.com.

All rights reserved.

All art in the List of Illustrations: 2017 Gary Cavanah and licensed exclusively to author Karen Smith, DPM.

ISBN 978-0-9981675-2-7 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-0-9981675-3-4 (paperback)

ISBN 978-0-9981675-4-1 (ebook)

Publishers Cataloging-In-Publication Data

(Prepared by The Donohue Group, Inc.)

Names: Smith, Karen L. (Podiatrist)

Title: Killing heel pain : your final freedom from plantar fasciitis / Dr. Karen L. Smith, D.P.M.

Description: First edition. | Paradise Valley, AZ : Blue Viper Books LLC, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: ISBN 978-0-9981675-2-7 (hardcover) | ISBN 978-0-9981675-3-4 (paperback) | ISBN 978-0-9981675-4-1 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Foot--Care and hygiene. | Pain--Treatment. | Self-care, Health.

Classification: LCC RD563 .S65 2017 (print) | LCC RD563 (ebook) | DDC 617.5/85--dc23

Dedicated to the attending physicians at Highlands Foot and Ankle Institute in Denver, Colorado. The influence of a great teacher is infinite, transcending time and touching generations yet to come. I am humbly and

forever grateful to you all.

List of Illustrations

It is both a pleasure and an honor for me to have this opportunity to thoroughly explain and simplify the painful heel condition called plantar fasciitis (PF). I promise not to give you vague or flippant solutions such as just wear better shoes (and I wont ask you to wear ugly shoes that you hate either!). Sometimes, we physicians mistakenly believe weve painted a wonderfully clear picture, when really a head nod from a patient simply means Okay, just finish what you are saying because it doesnt really make sense and I want to ask my next question before I get rushed out of here.

My goal is to give you detailed answers to all of your questions, which cant realistically be accomplished during a routine office visit for PF.

There is a lot of ground to cover when discussing PF. The amount of information and instructions dispensed on the first visit can be understandably overwhelming to someone who is in pain, apprehensive, and looking for answers. It is also typical and perfectly normal to think of more questions once a doctors visit is over.

In my experience, reviewing quality anatomical illustrations is crucial to helping patients visualize and really understand the what and why behind PF. My hope is that the images in this book will provide you with some instant clarity about your painful condition and a better understanding and appreciation for your amazing feet.

I use a question-and-answer format throughout most of this book because it is the best way to cut to the chase for those burning questions that patients commonly ask. The book is designed to be an easy read from front to back, but it also functions perfectly fine to skip around if thats what you prefer.

You will also find a key points cheat sheet at the end of each chapter as well as action steps that provide precise direction. Even if you only spend ten minutes reading these cliff notes at the end of the chapters, your newly found knowledge and arsenal of solutions for PF will still surpass hours of Internet surfing.

You dont need an in-depth review of human physiology or to fully comprehend biochemical nuances at the cellular level to get rid of your PF. But, to be confident that you are making the best decisions for your body, you will need to understand what is going on with your condition to comprehend the how and why of your treatment options. I do my best to give you the skinny on everything you need to know.

While I believe that some well-intended and useful information does exist on the Internet, seeking advice from Dr. Google involves weeding through biased opinions, advertisements, and bad, partial, or just plain wrong information.

I dont have any hidden agendas or ulterior motives. This is your fluff-free guide to getting rid of your PF as quickly and effectively as possible.

I want you to gain confidence about your decisions and treatment options. Most importantly, I want you to feel assured that although healing takes longer than we like and sometimes more treatment pathways than we anticipated, you will get better.

Pain is not only unpleasant; it can also be scary and is almost always inconvenient. People who develop PF understandably worry:

What is wrong with my footwill it ever be normal again?

How long is this going to take to get better?

Am I going to have to take time off work?

Will I need to schedule multiple doctor appointments to get better?

When can I get back to my normal life?

Understanding what lies beneath the pain offers peace of mind as well as the power of knowledge. Gaining insight into the what is going on and why is central to understanding how different treatment options will be effective. Naturally, we are only likely to follow advice that makes sense to us.

Patients who have a better understanding of their condition reliably do betterthey heal faster and more completely, with less chance of recurrence and less anxiety during the healing process.

Spending a few minutes of time in this section glancing at some fascinating illustrations and facts will have tremendous payoffs.

Congratulations on taking meaningful action for your health!

I cant diagnose or treat a medical condition without personally questioning and/or physically examining a patient (no doctor can or should); however, I do hope to steer you in the right direction. Depending on where you are in the healing process, the best pathway to becoming pain-free for you may be any of the following:

Try some at-home and over-the-counter treatments first, and then, if you dont have a complete resolution, see a doctor.

Visit a doctor for an exam and a treatment plan thats catered to you.

Return to your doctor (or a new doctor) armed with a better understanding of your condition and your treatment options.

Determine if an advanced nonsurgical treatment is the best option and next step (or even the first line of treatment) for you.

Proceed with surgery knowing what to expect and feeling confident that it is the right choice for you.

The type of pain as well as the exact location of pain from plantar fasciitis (PF) can vary from person to person.