You might not think much about your heel until heel pain sets in. Then it’s hard to ignore. Plantar fasciitis 一 a main source of heel pain 一 accounts for 10% of all running-related injuries and 15% of all podiatric issues requiring medical care. Achilles tendinitis is another condition that causes pain in the back of your heel.
While you can treat minor heel pain (such as from a blister) at home, how do you know if you’re dealing with a more serious heel issue like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis?
Below, our board-certified podiatrists here at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists share the top signs that it’s time to see a specialist about heel pain.
You might consider seeing a specialist for your heel pain if:
Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which your plantar fascia becomes inflamed. Because the plantar fascia runs from your heel to the base of your toes, the inflammation often causes a stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot.
In some cases, heel pain can be tamed at home with rest, icing, and stretching, but at-home care isn’t always enough to alleviate your pain and fully address the inflammation related to plantar fasciitis.
In the case of a ruptured Achilles tendon, for example, at-home care isn’t enough to repair the torn tendon.
The takeaway: If you’ve tried at-home treatments but can’t find relief, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Plantar fasciitis often causes pain after periods of rest. This is why it’s common for heel pain to intensify with your first steps out of bed each morning. But as plantar fasciitis progresses, you may find that your foot hurts even if you’re not walking or standing.
Achilles tendinitis may cause pain during and after physical activity. If your heel hurts whether you're walking or not, we can help.
If the pain lingers for more than a few weeks, it’s time to seek medical intervention. You don’t need to suffer for weeks on end.
Here at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists, we’re experts at pinpointing the source of your heel pain and formulating a treatment plan designed to provide pain relief and improve functionality in your foot.
Finally, if heel pain prevents you from walking normally, it’s time to give us a call. This includes the inability to bend your foot downward, to rise up on your toes, or walk with your normal cadence and gait.
Although limping can temporarily provide relief, limping can cause more issues in the long run by throwing your kinetic chain out of alignment.
You may need to seek medical care if you have sudden and severe heel pain after a traumatic injury.
Regardless of what’s causing your heel pain, know that we’re here to provide the guidance and support you need to find relief. Depending on the cause of your pain, we may recommend any of the following:
Heel pain can quickly take a toll on your quality of life, but you don’t have to be stuck with it forever. Book an appointment at our Tamarac, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Coral Springs, or Boca Raton, Florida, location and say goodbye to heel pain today.
