Advanced Family & Sports Podiatry
Heel Pain Treatment Albany
What is heel pain?
One of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis that causes pain in the bottom of your foot, particularly around your heel area. It happens when the thick band of tissue called the plantar fascia, which supports the arch of your foot, becomes irritated or inflamed.
Plantar Fascia
Imagine the plantar fascia as a rubber band that connects your heel bone to the front of your foot. When you walk, run, or stand, this band stretches and helps support the arch, acting like a shock absorber for your foot. However, if the band is overused or strained, small tears can develop in it, leading to pain and discomfort.The pain of plantar fasciitis is often worse in the morning when you take your first steps after getting out of bed or after sitting for a while. It might also be more noticeable after long periods of standing or physical activity.Factors that can increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis include wearing improper footwear, having flat feet or high arches, being overweight, or engaging in activities that put a lot of stress on your feet, like running or dancing.
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Types of Heel Pain
Bursitis
Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that help reduce friction between tissues. Inflammation of the bursa located near the heel can lead to pain and discomfort.
Stress Fractures
Tiny cracks in the bones of the foot, often caused by repetitive stress or overuse, can result in heel pain. These fractures are common in athletes and runners.
Sever's Disease
This is a common cause of heel pain in growing children and adolescents. It occurs when the growth plate in the heel becomes inflamed due to physical activity or sports.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist, tarsal tunnel syndrome involves compression of a nerve in the foot, leading to pain, tingling, or numbness in the heel.
Nerve Entrapment
Sometimes, nerves in the foot can become compressed or trapped, causing pain in the heel or other parts of the foot.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This autoimmune condition can lead to inflammation and pain in various joints, including those in the feet, including the heels.
Heel Bone Fracture
A direct injury or trauma to the heel bone can cause a fracture, resulting in significant pain.
Infection
In rare cases, bacterial or fungal infections can cause heel pain, especially if there's an open sore or wound in the area.
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How can Advanced Podiatry help?
When it comes to heel pain, our podiatrists can play a crucial role in providing effective treatment and relief. Here’s how we can help with heel pain:
Accurate Diagnosis
Podiatrists are trained to thoroughly examine your feet and assess your gait (how you walk) to pinpoint the exact cause of your heel pain. They will consider your medical history, lifestyle, and any relevant factors to determine the underlying issue.
Customised Treatment Plan
Based on the diagnosis, our podiatrists can develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific condition and needs. This may involve a combination of therapies and interventions.
Conservative Treatments
Our podiatrists often start with conservative treatments to manage heel pain. These can include stretching exercises, physical therapy, custom orthotic inserts, night splints, and footwear recommendations to reduce strain on the feet.
Medications
In some cases, podiatrists may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers to help manage the pain and inflammation associated with heel conditions.
Injection Therapies
Certain conditions like plantar fasciitis may benefit from corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and provide relief.
Physical Therapy
Podiatrists can recommend specific exercises and stretches to strengthen and stabilise the muscles and tendons around the heel, promoting healing and preventing future problems.
Strapping and Taping
Podiatrists may use taping or strapping techniques to support the affected area, reduce strain, and alleviate pain.
Shockwave Therapy
This non-invasive treatment involves delivering controlled shockwaves to the affected area to stimulate healing and reduce pain.
Custom Orthotics
Our podiatrists can design and provide custom made orthotic devices that help distribute pressure more evenly across the foot and provide support to alleviate heel pain.
Surgical Options
If conservative treatments do not provide relief, our podiatrists may explore surgical options. However, surgery is usually considered a last resort and is only recommended when other treatments have been unsuccessful.
Education and Prevention
Our podiatrists can educate you about proper foot care and techniques to prevent future heel pain. They can advise you on footwear choices, appropriate exercises, and lifestyle modifications.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The length of time it takes for heel pain to go away will depend on the underlying cause. In many cases, heel pain may improve with rest and proper footwear within a few weeks. However, chronic or severe conditions may require more time to heal. It’s best to consult with a podiatrist to determine the type of heel pain you’re dealing with and how long it may take to recover.
If you have heel pain, we recommend that you avoid activities that make the discomfort worse. This is typically high-impact activities like running and jumping or any barefoot activities on hard or uneven surfaces. While we treat your pain, we may advise you to switch to low-impact activities, wear supportive footwear, incorporate stretching into your daily routine, or a combination of these or other therapies until you recover.
It’s recommended that you see a podiatrist if your heel pain continues for longer than a few weeks, becomes severe, or stops you from participating in your daily activities. If you’ve acquired an injury to your foot— whether your heel or other part of your foot— or notice symptoms like redness or swelling, please advise us when you make your appointment.
Rest is typically crucial in managing injuries and conditions that cause heel pain. However, it’s important to strike a balance between rest and too much activity. When you see us at Advanced Podiatry, we’ll advise you on what types of exercise may benefit you during your recovery.
Yes, foot structure may contribute to heel pain. For example, conditions such as flat feet or high arches may impact the way your weight is distributed over your feet, often leading to strain on the plantar fascia. If you have a structural issue such as these, treatment options like orthotics and stretching exercises may benefit you.