Facts on Heel Pain
Heel pain is a chronic, throbbing pain at the base of the foot. Heel pain does not cause health risks, but is can disrupt daily activities since it inhibits mobility. If you experience acute heel pain periodically, Consult your CuraFoot doctor for a thorough diagnosis.
Heel pain can be severe and may have multiple causes. It is one of the most common in patients with foot pain. The heel of the foot handles the most pressure when a person walks or runs, and therefore is very susceptible to wear and tears.
Other than walking, certain ailments such as neurological problems or arthritis also affect the heel.
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Achilles Tendinitis
- Fracture or injury
- Strain due to overuse of feet
- Foot Deformity
- Osteomyelitis (bone or bone marrow infection)
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Enthesitis or Inflammatory arthritis
- Bone cyst or tumour
- Gout
- Obesity
- Trauma to the bone
Heel pain, if caused due to overuse or strain can be improved through rest. You should be consulting a foot doctor, however, if you have swelling, redness, difficulty in flexing the ankle joint, numbness or excessive pain while walking. It is also a good idea to see a doctor if the heel pain does not reduce after a few hours of rest and persists as a dull ache. Based on the doctor’s diagnosis, the following treatments can be adopted for faster pain relief and recovery:
- Ice packs at regular intervals on the heels to reduce inflammation and soreness
- Anti-inflammatory medication as prescribed by the doctor
- Rest at regular periods
- Light physical exercises as recommended by a physiotherapist, depending on the cause of the pain
- Use of orthotic insoles that help balance out the pressure of the feet and provide relief from chronic heel pain
- Properly fitted shoes that supports your weight and helps you fulfil your daily activities.
- Weight management
- Heel splints
- Steroid injections for Plantar fasciitis
- Surgery (in case of severe conditions causing heel pain that cannot be cured by any other means)
Irrespective of the cause, if you suffer from heel pain, make sure your feet get adequate rest, since that will provide relief and stop the pain from getting worse.
