Standing or walking puts a great deal of pressure on your feet, and over time, it can result in heel pain. We’re going to tell you about the three main causes of heel pain to help you walk comfortably. Additionally, stress and overuse of your feet can cause inflammation and hurt your heels.
Heel Pain Causes: 3 Causes
The type of treatment we offer at our Westfield podiatry practice will vary depending on where stress or inflammation develops. That’s why it’s important for us to diagnose the exact cause of your heel pain before we begin any treatment.
1. Fasciitis of the foot
With overuse, your plantar fascia stretches, tugs, or even tears, causing pain and inflammation in your foot. The ligament runs from your heel bone along the bottom of your foot.
The pain will become worse if you don’t seek treatment for it—unless you get out of bed in the morning. Plantar fasciitis can be treated with rest, stretching, anti-inflammatory medications, or cortisone injections. Inflammation, the main cause of heel pain, can be reduced with rest, stretching, icing, anti-inflammatory medication, or cortisone injections. To support your ligament and prevent heel pain from returning, orthotics may be required.
2. A condition characterized by Achilles tendon inflammation
Achilles tendon, which connects your calf muscle to your heel bone, can become inflamed and cause heel pain, just like your plantar fascia. This is a common overuse injury caused by rapid increases in exercise routine. It’s often called Achilles tendinitis.
In addition to rest, ice, and medications for inflammation, we can add a heel lift to your shoe to ease pressure on your tendon. A cast or brace could be used to immobilize your tendon. This cause of heel pain can be relieved with surgery in rare cases.
3. Bruising
You have fluid-filled sacs throughout your body called bursa that cushion your muscles, bones, and ligaments. You may develop bursitis if inflammation strikes these sacs. When walking or running, you may land on your heels too hard, causing heel bursitis. Bursitis can be treated in the same way as inflammation in your ligaments and tendons.
You can contact our office at 949-588-8833, or visit our website at https://www.ocfootdoctor.com. Our offices are in Laguna Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, and Costa Mesa.