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Don't Let Heel Pain Slow You Down

Don't Let Heel Pain Slow You Down

By Southwest Foot Institute

November 08, 2017

Category: Foot Care

Tags: Heel Pain

Have you stopped exercising, going to the mall or enjoying long leisurely walks after dinner because of heel pain? Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, podiatrist Dr. Michael Dershowitz discusses several common causes of painful heels and explains how you can relieve your pain.

Stone Bruises

Have you recently stepped on a stone or hard object or worn shoes that don't provide enough cushioning for your heels? You may have a stone bruise in the fat pad that covers the bottom of your heel bone. The bruises can make walking painful for a few weeks. In fact, it may feel as if you're walking on a stone even though you can't find any pebbles in your shoe. The good news is that stone bruises go away after a week or two. Until then, use ice packs and take over-the-counter pain medicine to relieve your pain.

Plantar Fasciitis

When heel pain is worse when you first wake up or worsens after you resume activity after sitting or standing, suspect plantar fasciitis. The condition occurs when your plantar fascia, the band of connective tissue that connects your heel and your toes, becomes inflamed.

Activities that stress your heel, such as running, playing basketball or ballet dancing, can cause plantar fasciitis. It's more common after age 40 and may be more likely to occur if you're overweight or have flat feet. Treatments for plantar fasciitis include physical therapy, night splints to stretch your fascia, orthotics, corticosteroid injections or laser treatment.

Retrocalcaneal Bursitis and Achilles Tendinitis

Because both of these conditions have similar symptoms, it's hard to tell which one you have without a visit to our Phoenix or Glendale office. Your Achilles tendon is the long, thin tendon you can feel at the back of your heel. The retrocalcaneal bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac on the back of your heel that allows the Achilles tendon to glide effortlessly over the bone. When either of these structures become inflamed, heel pain can occur.

The conditions are more likely to occur if you are a runner or a walker, wear poorly fitting shoes, push yourself too hard when you workout, have tight calf muscles or spend long periods of time on your feet. Physical therapy, orthotics, pain medications and laser therapy can be helpful in reducing pain.

If heel pain has stopped you for doing the things you enjoy, schedule an appointment with podiatrist Dr. Michael Dershowitz. Schedule an appointment with his Phoeniz or Glendale, AZ office by calling (602) 340-8686.

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