People of all ages suffer from heel pain. Some of this can be explained by the fact that the problem can have a number of possible root causes. Adult heel pain is most commonly caused by plantar fasciitis, but it can also be caused by Achilles tendinitis, calcaneal fractures, and Sever’s disease (for preteens and adolescents).
In addition to anatomy, there are two major connective tissues attached to the heel bone that contribute to heel pain. There is a connection between the heel bone and other parts of the lower extremities via the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon.
Regardless of its cause, one thing is certain – heel pain can be a challenge at home or at work!
Heel pain usually does not require surgical intervention in most cases. The problem can even be prevented in the first place through preventive measures. You’re not done yet!
When you take steps to prevent one source of heel pain, you actually reduce your risk of other issues as well. In other words, lowering your risk of Achilles tendinitis also lowers your risk of plantar fasciitis.
Use the following measures to prevent heel pain and reduce your risk of injury:
- Shoes should be worn properly. If you plan to participate in any physical activity, you should wear the appropriate footwear. The shoes should also fit well. You can suffer from painful heels if your shoes are too tight or too large. In addition to providing support for the arch, your shoes should cradle your heels snugly and allow your toes to wiggle.
- Initiate activity easily. In many cases, patients experience heel pain after starting new activities at too high an intensity or duration. Begin with easy-to-moderate effort and increase it by 10% every week.
- Stretch and warm up. You should warm up and stretch your body before exercising or engaging in physical activity. Foot, ankle, and calves care should be taken. Stretching is more effective when you warm up first for a few minutes before stretching.
It is important to remember that steps to prevent heel pain will not completely eliminate the risk of developing a condition or sustaining an injury. Whenever this happens, All-in-One Foot Care Center is here to help. If you need help getting back on your feet, our caring staff is here to help.
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.