Foot & Heel Pain
Foot or heel pain - sometimes, life can be a real pain in the…. Foot.
But, don’t let that get you down! Podiatrists deal with all things feet, including pain in the heel of your foot. Your feet are a really complex piece of engineering. Each foot contains
- 26 bones
- 33 joints
- Over 100 ligaments, tendons and muscles
That’s a lot of structures for things to go wrong. There are so many causes of pain in the heel of your foot. Trauma, overuse, underlying medical problems, footwear to name a few. You can have pain anywhere in the foot, the most common areas we see problems are the forefoot (balls of the feet and toes), the heel and the Achilles tendon.
When dealing with foot pain, it’s always important to take a full history and carry out a physical assessment before we can treat and advise with confidence. For example, one of the most common complaints we deal with is pain under the heel or in the arch of the foot. This is more often than not caused by a condition called Plantar Fasciitis. But not always!
There are over 40 different causes of heel pain, and this is why it is always important to get the right advice and treatment. Remember, Dr Google won’t be asking you all the questions a Podiatrist will to make sure you get the right diagnosis.
Best Way To Treat Heel Pain
Well, that depends on the cause. But the most common treatments are - stretching exercises, padding and strapping, footwear advice, and in some cases orthotic devices. Each case will be different and treatment plans are designed with each specific patient in mind.
We would be here forever if we were to talk about all the different things that can give you pain in your feet. If your foot pain is an issue, please get in touch, we can help!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The best way to treat heel pain typically involves a combination of rest, ice application, and stretching exercises. Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can also help reduce pain and inflammation. Wearing supportive shoes and orthotics can alleviate pressure on the heel. In more severe cases, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, or even surgery may be recommended.
For heel pain, you should see a podiatrist. Podiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating foot and ankle conditions, making them well-equipped to handle heel pain and its underlying causes.
Heel pain that is not plantar fasciitis can be attributed to several other conditions. These include:
1. Achilles Tendonitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, causing pain at the back of the heel rather than the bottom.
2. Heel Spurs: Calcium deposits that cause a bony protrusion on the underside of the heel bone, often associated with plantar fasciitis but can occur independently.
3. Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa (a fluid-filled sac) at the back of the heel, causing pain and swelling.
4. Stress Fractures: Small cracks in the heel bone due to repetitive stress or overuse, leading to pain and tenderness.
5. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the posterior tibial nerve, causing pain, numbness, and tingling along the heel and sole
Anna Conway
BSc (Hons), MCPod, SRCh, PGcert Podiatry
Owner, Lead Podiatrist