Common Causes of Heel Pain and How To Address Them

We all experience pain in our feet from time to time, and often, we just put it down to tired legs from an extended walk or shopping trip, for instance. But the chances are that the cause could be something completely different, and if that’s the case, you don’t have to put up with it. There are things you can do at home and times when a doctor or podiatrist should be consulted to have the problem resolved.

 In this article, we look at pain in the heels especially. There are a number of possible causes for persistent heel pain, and here, we consider two of the most common reasons.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is often the diagnosis if you suffer from persistent heel pain. Within your foot, there is a flat band of ligament connecting your heel bone to your toes. Its function is to support the arch of your foot. Sometimes, it can become weakened, swollen or irritated. When this happens, you’ll experience stiffness, tenderness, heel pain or even pain throughout the entire foot. This will be particularly severe first thing in the morning or after periods of inactivity.

But what causes the pain? In short, it’s a type of repetitive strain injury that can result from over-exercise such as walking or running. Another common cause is wearing the wrong foot gear for  the types of activities you’re undertaking. It can also come on very suddenly after an injury caused by jumping down from a height.

What Is Achilles Tendonitis?

Achilles tendonitis manifests as tenderness and pain along the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. You may also feel pain in your calf when you try to stand on tiptoes. It’s often the result of intense or repetitive strain on the tendon itself, which might happen when you walk, run, jump or attempt to stand on tiptoes for long periods of time or without warming up before exercising.

Treatment of Heel Pain at Home

Mild to moderate heel pain can be controlled with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, like Ibuprofen. Resting the legs and feet will help, as the pressure of standing and walking will only exacerbate the condition. Applying ice packs will soothe and reduce any swelling and pain.

When to See a Podiatrist or Doctor

If your home treatments aren’t doing the trick and the pain continues even while you’re at rest, or for long periods of time and medication isn’t helping, then make an appointment at your podiatrist’s clinic or see your GP.

Your podiatrist will be able to correctly diagnose the condition by gentle physical examination of the heel area, combined with taking a history (asking about your lifestyle, footwear and so on). He or she will then be able to recommend treatments that will help. These may include specialist orthotics and insoles that will take pressure off the area and allow it to heal with time. They will also be able to recommend gentle stretches and exercises that might help.