Severe Heel Pain – What Can You Do?
You’ll know severe heel pain when you feel it. Though it can be caused by multiple underlying factors, the result is the same: an intense discomfort or pain that can interrupt your quality of life.
Fortunately, with a podiatrist’s help, you can explore treatment options to both address the root cause and eliminate or reduce the discomfort you feel.
Common Causes of Severe Heel Pain
Plantar Fasciitis
Also known as “heel spur syndrome,” plantar fasciitis is often the most common cause of heel pain. This condition occurs when the foot’s plantar fascia (the tissue between your heel and toes) becomes inflamed. People with high-arched feet are more susceptible to developing plantar fasciitis.
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is physical pain at the bottom of the heel or the arch of the foot. This pain may also worsen upon standing or increase over a period of months. Patients living with this condition should also monitor their heels for any swelling.
In some extreme cases, plantar fasciitis will require surgery to correct. However, most instances can be treated with nonsurgical options, such as:
- Stretching the calf muscles
- Wearing supportive footwear or modifying your shoes
- Icing the heel
- Medications
If these milder treatments do not work, your podiatrist might recommend other options like custom orthotic inserts, a removable cast, a night splint, or physical therapy.
Heel Sprain, Strain, and Fracture
Intense physical activity can cause a sprain or strain in the heel. Most often, this can be treated by resting the foot, using ice to reduce inflammation, compressing the area, and elevating it as much as possible.
If the heel bone is fractured, urgent treatment may be required. In these cases, we recommend visiting your nearest emergency room as soon as possible for immediate attention.
Achilles Tendonitis
Your Achilles tendon runs between your calf and your heel. If the tendon is injured, this can cause intense pain and it should be examined by a podiatrist as soon as possible.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when a nerve at the back of your foot is injured. This compression neuropathy can affect both the ankle joint and the foot itself.
Other Conditions
Other conditions that may also contribute to heel pain include:
- Bursitis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Osteochondroses
- Reactive arthritis
- Heel bumps (common in adolescents)
Heel Pain Diagnosis
Heel pain itself is not a medical condition, but a symptom of something else. When visiting a podiatrist, they can examine the heel and determine the root issue.
Heel Pain Treatment
Because heel pain can result from many different underlying conditions, treatment options vary. Generally, however, these are some best practices that you can put into place to help promote healthy recovery:
Take it Easy
Your foot is a hardworking part of the body. Give it a rest and try to elevate it as much as possible. While you’re recovering, try to find some enjoyable activities you can do in a sedentary position to limit your walking.
Avoid Running
Similar to above, avoid running while in recovery. Running can place a great deal of stress on the heel.
If Sore, Ice and Elevate
If your heel feels sore after beginning treatment, continue to ice and elevate regularly. This will help keep the inflammation down and free the heel from any pressure.
Monitor the Heel for Any Changes
Pay attention to the healing process. Do you feel the pain lessening or worsening? If the latter, be sure to contact your podiatrist as soon as possible and let them know that the condition is persisting.
Long Term Prevention for Severe Heel Pain
If your pain is caused by a common suspect like plantar fasciitis, consider buying shoe inserts made specifically for the condition. You can buy these at the pharmacy or ask your podiatrist if they sell or recommend higher-end options. These inserts provide additional support and cushioning to the foot’s arch to reduce the stress you are placing on the tissue.
After receiving a diagnosis and undergoing treatment, ask your podiatrist for condition-specific advice to prevent the heel pain from reoccurring. Depending on your specific case, they can provide specialized recommendations and answer any questions you might have specific to your lifestyle.
Are You Experiencing Heel Pain? Let Us Help
We have helped many Maryland residents experiencing heel pain in treating and recovering from underlying conditions associated with this painful symptom. If you are experiencing severe heel pain and would like to connect with one of our specialists, please contact us anytime or request an appointment.