Have pain in your heel and don’t what know what it is?
Do you want to know why you experiencing heel pain and how to fix?
Heel pain is a common complaint we see and treat at our foot clinics, 36 percent of people will experience it at some point in their lives. But that doesn’t mean it’s a pain you should just deal with. There are simple, non-invasive solutions that can treat your heel pain and help ensure it doesn’t return.
While there are many potential causes behind heel pain, most cases can be managed with a few behavioural changes and helpful orthotics. In rare cases, medicines or surgery might be required. At The Foot Hub, our podiatrists do a thorough evaluation to identify the root cause behind your heel pain and discover a clear path to treat it. Even if your case doesn’t require our orthotics, we offer honest and helpful advice so you can treat the problem quickly and get on with your life, free from pain.
Read on to learn more about the different causes of heel pain and how we can help you overcome them:
What is heel pain?
Heel pain is a common foot symptom that has many possible underlying causes. Heel pain occurs under the heel or behind the heel, where the plantar fascia connects to the heel bone. It is predominantly mechanical in nature i.e how you walk, however it can also be caused by other conditions
causes of heel pain
Common causes of heel pain include:
- Abnormal gait
- Foot posture
- Obesity
- Ill-fitting shoes
- Standing, running or junping on hard surfaces
- Injury to the heel, such as stress fractures
- Certain disorders, including diabetes and arthritis, infection, poor circulation
- Cancer or other neurological conditions
Types of heel pain
It’s always important to make sure you have the correct diagnosis for heel pain before starting treatment. Here are some of the main conditions that can cause heel pain:
assessment
At The Foot Hub, we understand that heel pain is a complex condition and the importance of getting the correct diagnosis. In your initial assessment your Podiatrist will listen to your medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination. Clinical assessment is usually enough to diagnosis most conditions, however your Podiatrist can refer for addtional medical imaging if recquired.
Treatment
Depending on the cause of your heel pain and severity treatment will vary. Treatment of heel pain can include one or a combination of the following:
Acute
- Ice and elevation
- Rest
- Taping
- Offloading boot or shoe
- Stretching and strengthening exercises (except for plantar fascia rupture)
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Orthotics
chronic
- Weight loss
- Footwear changes
- Orthotics
- Shockwave therapy
- Stretching exercises
- Night splint
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Surgery
we are here to help you
We know that heel pain can be a deliblitating conditon which can have a negative impact on your quality of life. We are here to help get back onto your feet pain free.
preventing heel pain
Different activities and lifestyle habits can lead to heel pain. Prevention is specific to individuals and their activities. Prevention can include the following:
- Well fitted shoes for comfort and support
- Activity-specific footwear
- Strength training
- Warming up before exercise
- Diet
- Rest and breaks between high activity sports
- Keeping a healthy weight
- Visit your Podiatrist regualrly for assessments, follow-up appointments and professional advice
- Consulting with your Podiatrist if you need one
cost
biomechanical assessment
FAQ
Heel pain takes about 6 months to resolve depending on severity and the cause. Making sure you have the correct diagnosis and treatment will help with resolution.
Consider wearing shoes with a lower heel for a while to allow symptoms to subside. Make sure that your heels are comfortable: read our blog to learn more about what features to look for in high heels.
Make sure you have a rubber pad under your feet if you are standing all day at work. Wear shoes with a thick sole and an orthotic with extra cushioning. After work raise your feet for a while. Also, you can soak your feet with warm water and get a soft foot massage with a eucalyptus rub.
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. You may relieve pain temporarily by resting and doing some plantar stretches. Also, wear appropriate footwear for the right occasions that are well-fitted, comfortable, and provide support. If you have chronic plantar fasciitis, treatments such as orthotics, physiotherapy, footwear changes, and shockwave therapy can help.
Post static dyskinesia is a condition that causes heel pain after long periods of rest. The pain is caused when the fibrous band of tissues that run from your toes to your heel on the bottom of your foot are inflamed and tighten when not in use, such as when you sleep or sit for a long period of time. When the time comes for you to stand and put weight on your foot, it pulls on your heel, causing a stabbing pain. This is just temporary pain that subsides when you start walking, but it will recur when you rest again. A tight calf muscle (Achilles tendon complex) is a contributor to the heel pain. stretching the Achilles can improve the tendon.
Yes, tight calves may cause heel pain. Tight calves can put extra strain on the plantar fascia, or the fibrous ligaments at the bottom of the feet that run from the toes to the heel bone, especially when doing extraneous activities as the fascia is meant to take on a small load.
A podiatrist 😊 Sometimes heel pain can require a multidisciplinary approach so other health professionals such physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, radiologists, sports medicine doctors or your GP can be involved.
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