Heal Your Heels

Heel pain is the most common problem that affects the ankle and foot. This comes as no surprise when you consider that every mile you walk puts 60 tons of stress on each foot. Your feet can handle quite a bit of stress, but going over the limit can cause extreme discomfort. Heel pain generally falls into two categories, pain behind the heel and pain beneath the heel.

According to Orthopedic Associates of Port Huron orthopedic surgeon Todd P. Murphy, M.D., “If your pain is behind the heel, you may be running too much, or perhaps you have a tendency to wear shoes that rub or cut into the back of your heel.” He continues, “Your Achilles tendon is possibly inflamed where it connects with your heel bone. This pain can build slowly over time and you may notice swelling and redness.”

If you are experiencing pain beneath the heel, the tissues on the bottom of your foot may be inflamed. There are a number of causes for this type of pain.

Stone bruises can occur when you step on a hard surface such as a rock or stone. You may or may not be able see a bruise.

Plantar fasciitis is a problem that can arise after too much running or jumping. After such activities, the band that connects the heel bone to the base of your toes becomes inflamed, which causes pain.

A calcium deposit, known as a heel spur, could form if plantar fasciitis continues for a long period of time. The heel spur itself is not the problem; it is the injury to the soft tissue and inflammation that causes the pain.

Other less common causes of heel pain include pinched nerves, fractures, and being overweight.

Common treatments for heel pain include resting from activities that caused the pain, implementing proper stretching techniques, using anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and wearing proper footwear. Surgery is typically a last resort but is not uncommon.

For more information on how to heal heel pain, call Orthopedic Associates of Port Huron at (810) 985-4900 or visit our Foot and Ankle page.