If You Suffer From Heel Pain, Have Our Podiatrist Assess the
Many causes of heel pain are treatable and often without any surgery, if not left unattended for too long. Most of us know how uncomfortable it is to have painful feet and heels after hours of standing or walking or wearing an uncomfortable pair of shoes, but this goes away after rest.
Ongoing heel pain is not normal, and consultation with a podiatrist is advisable. They are experienced with the anatomy of the feet and lower limbs and know how to investigate the cause of the pain. Possible causes of heel pain that podiatry care can assist in alleviating:
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome – damage to the tibial nerve and generally results from a previous ankle injury.
- Heel bursitis – inflammation of the bursa found between your heel bone and Achilles tendon.
- Heel pad atrophy – when the fatty cushion in the heel begins breaking down.
- Plantar fasciitis – irritation and inflammation of the band of fibres that run over the arch of the foot from the heel bone to the toes.
- Achilles tendinitis, heel spurs, stress fractures, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, or osteomyelitis (bone infection).
More About Plantar Fasciitis and How Our Podiatrist Can Trea
The fibrous bands running from the toes to the heel can become irritated and inflamed and cause pain in the heel. With plantar fasciitis, you’ll generally experience pain upon waking up or standing after sitting for an extended time, increasing intensity over several months.
Some of the causes of plantar fasciitis include wearing non-supportive footwear on hard, flat surfaces, which puts irregular strain on the plantar fascia. Also, obesity and incorrect foot structure such as overly flat or high arches could result in this painful but treatable condition. To reach an accurate diagnosis of your heel pain, our podiatrist will need your medical history and examine your foot; they could also use x-rays or other imaging modalities.
Treatment options vary from case to case and the severity. These can include:
- Strapping or stretching and strengthening the foot muscles.
- Changing footwear or using orthotics or cushions.
- Night splints that stretch the arch of your foot.
