Pain in Your Heel and What to Do About It

Heel pain is soreness or tenderness that impacts the back or underside of the foot’s heel. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, heel pain is typically a result of plantar fasciitis. With this condition, the pain tends to be aggravated after physical activity and not during the activity. The pain’s also usually worse upon waking up or following extended periods of inactivity. Bending the toes downward somewhat eases the pain while flexing the affected foot upwards produces pain.

Heel pain could be extremely uncomfortable, enough to reduce your mobility. But treating it as early as possible typically fixes the issue. That being said, if bearing weight on your heel is painful or if the affected foot is severely painful and swelling, get urgent treatment right away. Visit your foot doctor here at Avon Podiatry Associates in Avon, CT, Dr. Richard Grayson, if your heel pain lingers and/or worsens for a week or two despite home treatments.

Possible Causes of Your Heel Pain

As stated above, plantar fasciitis is considered the number one cause of heel pain. The reason for this is because it is a form of an overuse injury that develops when the plantar fascia, a connective tissue band, becomes inflamed and irritated. Likewise, heel spurs or abnormal growths of bone in the heel could exacerbate the condition.

In general, our feet can take the strain and pressure of supporting our entire body weight without issues. However, the repeated moves during sports and other physical activities, particularly when wearing ill-fitting footwear, could result in gradual damage to the heel. Having stiff calf muscles, abnormally flat or high arches, and being overweight could raise the risk of plantar fasciitis developing. Other common heel pain causes include:

  • Stress fractures
  • Achilles tendon injuries
  • Arthritis
  • Stone bruise
  • Nerve irritation

Treating Heel Pain

Depending on the extent of your pain, heel pain could be managed with icing, elevating, and resting the injured foot, stretching exercises, and wearing footwear that fits properly as well as custom-made shoe inserts from your foot doctor in Avon, CT. Physical therapy, as well as EPAT Treatments, could likewise aid in resolving your symptoms.

Take note though that it’s possible for your pain to persist for weeks to months. Surgical intervention might be needed for releasing tension in the affected heel if all else fails or complications develop.

For Help Managing Your Heel Pain, Speak to Us

Call (860) 677-7733 to schedule a consultation with your foot doctor here at Avon Podiatry Associates in Avon, CT, Dr. Richard Grayson, today.