Dealing with occasional soreness in your feet is common amongst most people, especially those on-the-go. But when cramping turns to pain, it can be a sign of an underlying problem. Heel pain is rarely serious, but the discomfort that goes alongside it can interfere with daily life and may eventually lead to a chronic condition.

Causes

Here are some of the most common causes of heel pain:

• Plantar fasciitis is the leading cause of heel pain. When the thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes stretches or tears, it creates inflammation, leading to pain near the heel.
• Achilles tendonitis, another common ailment, occurs when the Achilles tendon is injured and gets inflamed. Heel pain and tenderness are the main symptoms.
• Heel spurs is a growth that forms on the heel bone. This condition often shows up after wearing ill-fitting shoes, although heel spurs are not typically painful.
• Bursitis, or inflammation and swelling of the bursae, most often occurs in those who spend a lot of time on their feet.
• Chronic irritation and inflammation of your heel can lead to the growth of an enlarged bony bump on your heel. This condition is called Haglund’s deformity.

Treatment

Luckily, most of the above conditions resolve on their own without the help of surgery. Some treatments include:

• Resting your feet and heels
• Investing in a walking boot, splints, supportive shoe inserts, or other devices
• Avoiding long hours on your feet
• Daily, gentle stretching
• Using athletic or medical tape to support the foot arch or heel
• Incorporating light exercises to help loosen tight muscles and tendons
• Physical therapy
• For those suffering with plantar fasciitis and bursitis, steroid injections might be recommended

Prevention and Tips

Those who struggle with foot or ankle arthritis, have flat feet, wear uncomfortable shoes daily, work on their feet for long hours, or are overweight are more likely to experience heel pain.

• Runners commonly develop heel conditions. Prevent injuries by running fewer miles or choosing flat surfaces.
• Maintaining a healthy weight by participating in gentle, but daily exercise and eating a balanced diet will help reduce your chances of heel pain.
• Finding comfortable shoes that cushions and supports your arches and heels is especially beneficial. Choose footwear with a low to moderate heel.

Contact a podiatrist if you’re experiencing any problematic heel pain.

You can count on the Foot & Ankle Specialists, PC foot doctors, to care for your feet using a full range of conservative and surgical therapies. Our expert team, including board-certified podiatrists Dr. Scott E. Hughes, Dr. Greg P. Vogt, and Dr. Christine I. Tumele, serves patients of all ages with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies, including on-site digital x-ray, and ultrasound, diabetic shoes, and digital scanning for custom orthotics. Please contact our office to schedule a consultation. We offer house calls Monday through Thursday.