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Patient – Lateral Plantar (Baxter) Nerve Entrapment

Summary

Heel pain that often shoots under the outside of the heel and travels up the leg

How did I get this?

  • The nerve under your heel becomes pinched by a muscle connecting your big toe and your heel bone.
  • You may have a low arch foot type, or the area could be irritated by footwear.

What can I do about it?

  • Wear supportive cushioning footwear.
  • Avoid going barefoot.
  • Modify your activity to stop doing the things that cause pain.
  • Short term use of pain killers can give relief.

What help can I get for this?

  • A Podiatrist will provide padding, cushioning or orthotics to reduce load in the painful area.
  • Xrays or scans may identify bony lumps or soft tissue abnormalities.
  • If other treatment is not successful surgery may be required to release tissue around the nerve.

When will it get better?

Activity modification plus appropriate footwear and orthotics should see an improvement in 6-8 weeks.