Your heel performs several essential tasks, and significant pain can develop when something places pressure on this part of your foot. If you’ve ever had heel pain, you know how disruptive it can be to your everyday routines.
The team at Ohio Foot and Ankle Center is here to help. Specialists like Aaron Chokan, DPM, and Kristina Minniti, DPM, offer top-quality diagnostic and treatment services to patients from Canton, Stow, and Rittman, Ohio. If you or someone you love is dealing with heel pain, here’s some insight into what might be to blame.
All the components of your feet work together to enable you to move easily. Your heel is an essential part of your foot structure, serving as a foundation for the back portion of your foot.
Your heels work as a lever for the muscles that enable you to walk, run, and even stand. They also bear most of your weight throughout the day and absorb some of the stress and strain of impact while walking or running.
It comes as no surprise that when pain develops in your heel, your mobility is directly affected. Some people deal with heel pain by avoiding movement, which can place you at risk of the many health issues linked to a sedentary lifestyle. Others try to “power through” heel pain, which increases the risk of causing further damage to your feet.
Determining the cause of heel pain is the first step in finding the right treatment path. Here are three of the leading causes of heel pain.
Given the structure of the human body, it makes sense that the heavier you are, the more stress and strain your feet, specifically your heels, experience. Carrying excess weight requires your body to go beyond its capabilities. This is especially true for your feet, which bear the weight of the rest of your body every day.
If you’ve developed pain in your heels and you know you are overweight or obese, losing weight can be one of the simplest ways to reduce discomfort. That’s not to say that weight loss is a simple or easy process, but the results can benefit your foot health.
Consider incorporating more activity into your day without placing additional pressure on your heels. Swimming is among the best low-impact exercise options, and there are also many different weight-bearing or stretching routines you can do while seated.
If your heel pain develops after you’ve started a new athletic training program or increased activity levels, you might have Achilles tendinitis. Your Achilles tendon is a long band of tough connective tissue that binds the bone of your heel to the muscles in the back of your lower leg.
You risk straining your Achilles tendon when you increase your physical activity quickly. This often results in pain in your calves or the back of your heel. You may notice increased pain after exercise or when you get up in the morning.
There are many ways to treat Achilles tendinitis. You may find relief through over-the-counter pain medications and physical therapy. Wearing an orthotic device that changes the weight distribution in your foot can also be helpful. In some cases, surgery is the best available path toward relief.
If your pain spikes when you first put weight on your foot after sitting or sleeping, plantar fasciitis is a likely cause. This is another type of overuse injury, and develops when excess strain is placed on your plantar fascia, the connective tissue that joins your heel to the ball of your foot.
Spending too much time standing can lead to plantar fasciitis, as can wearing shoes that lack proper support, exercising without warming up, or pushing too hard during exercise or training. Some people can find relief through orthotics or over-the-counter pain medications, stretching, or rest periods.
For others, wearing a special immobilization boot can help by reducing pressure on your foot while walking. Surgery is sometimes the best option, but conservative treatments are always preferred when possible.
When you’re ready to investigate treatment options for heel pain, the first step is to contact Ohio Foot and Ankle Center to schedule a visit. You can call the office to check appointment availability or schedule your visit online.
Don’t live with heel pain when help is just around the corner. If you alter your routines to accommodate pain, Ohio Foot and Ankle Center can determine the cause and offer various treatment options.
