What You Need to Know About Heel Pain
Dealing with occasional soreness in your feet is common amongst most people, especially those on the go. But when cramping turns to pain, it can be a sign of an underlying problem. Heel pain isn’t always serious, but the discomfort that goes alongside it can interfere with daily life and may eventually lead to a chronic condition.
What Could It Be?
Various conditions could trigger irritating and painful heel pain. Here are some of the most common causes:
Plantar fasciitis is the leading cause of heel pain. When the thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes stretches or tears, it creates inflammation, leading to pain near the heel.
Chronic irritation and inflammation of your heel can lead to the growth of an enlarged bony bump on your heel. This condition is called Haglund’s deformity.
A heel spur is a growth that forms on the heel bone. This condition often shows up after wearing ill-fitting shoes, although heel spurs are not typically painful.
Achilles tendonitis, another common ailment, occurs when the Achilles tendon is injured and gets inflamed. Heel pain and tenderness are the main symptoms.
Getting Rid of the Pain
Luckily, most of the above conditions resolve on their own without the help of surgery, but it’s still a good idea to call your podiatrist and schedule an appointment. They’ll be able to help diagnose you and provide you with professional treatment that is sure to give you fast and easy relief from your pain. Some of the most common treatments for heel pain include:
Resting your feet and heels
Investing in custom orthotics, a walking boot, splints, supportive shoe inserts, or other devices
Avoiding long hours on your feet
Daily, gentle stretching
Using athletic or medical tape to support the foot arch or heel
Incorporating light exercises to help loosen tight muscles and tendons
Physical therapy
For those suffering from plantar fasciitis and bursitis, steroid injections might be recommended.
Preventing Heel Pain
Runners commonly develop heel conditions. Prevent injuries by running fewer miles or choosing flat surfaces
Maintaining a healthy weight by participating in gentle, but daily exercise and eating a balanced diet will help reduce your chances of heel pain
Finding comfortable shoes that cushions and supports your arches and heels is especially beneficial. Choose footwear with a low to moderate heel.
Here at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we specialize in custom orthotics, along with various other foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are dedicated to helping our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.