Are You Dealing With Heel Pain?

Find out what might be going on to cause your heel pain and how to treat it.

Heel pain is a common complaint that our Boise, Nampa/Caldwell, and Meridan, ID, podiatrists can help treat. Of course, it’s particularly common for most runners and athletes to experience heel pain at some point during their lifetime. So, what could be causing your symptoms and when does it a warrant a trip to see a doctor?

The specific location of your heel pain will give us some insight into what might be going on. For example, if the pain is under the heel then chances are good that your heel pain is the result of an inflammatory problem known as plantar fasciitis. This is usually the most common cause of heel pain. If the pain is above the heel bone or on the back of the heel then you could have Achilles tendinitis.

Both of these conditions usually appear gradually over time rather than as a result of an injury. You may barely notice these symptoms at first until they progress. Both conditions are the result of overuse, which is why both conditions are common in athletes. If you have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of your workout then you may put yourself at an increased risk for developing this problem.

When heel pain occurs it’s up to you to stay off your feet as much as possible and to take it easy. If you continue to run or workout you won’t give the inflamed tissue ample time to heal. The best thing you can do is to avoid high-impact activities until the pain has completely subsided.

Along with heel pain, it’s not uncommon to experience stiffness as well, particularly first thing in the morning when getting out of bed. This is usually when foot pain is at its worse, too. If you have Achilles tendinitis, these symptoms may be exacerbated after climbing stairs or standing for long periods of time. With plantar fasciitis you may be lulled into a false sense of security by not experiencing pain during your normal workout; however, the aching or stabbing pain often appears shortly after.

Treating Heel Pain

While plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis are the two most common causes of heel pain, they aren’t the only causes. This is why you should visit our Boise, Nampa/Caldwell, and Meridan, ID, foot doctor if you experiencing foot pain, especially for the first time. Patients who have diabetes or nerve damage in their feet should immediately seek care from a foot specialist.

You can ask your podiatrist about certain foot stretches you can do every day to help reduce stiffness and pain while improving mobility.

We may also recommend:

• Physical therapy
• Night Splints
• Steroid Injections
• Orthotics
• Surgery (in persistent cases)

Heel pain isn’t something that you can treat by yourself. If you are dealing with sudden, severe or persistent foot problems then it’s time to turn to the foot care specialists at Idaho Foot & Ankle Associates in Boise, Nampa/Caldwell, and Meridan, ID. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you.