Pain is often relative to how easy it is to deal with. Certain types of pain are more manageable than others if they can be tossed into a sling and ignored. Heel pain is not one of those types. If you have pain in your heel, then that can be agonizing and constant. We walk on our feet everywhere, there’s no way to avoid it. If you have persistent heel pain, it is vital to get it examined, in order to prevent further trauma and take back your lifestyle. Here are a few of the most common types of persistent heel pain.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is generally the most common type of heel pain around. The pain associated is often described as burning, and usually is most apparent after you’ve been asleep or off of your feet for long periods at a time. Essentially, the issue is that the ligament that spans across the arch of your foot is becoming too worn or overstretched. This ligament can be thought of as the body’s shocks, absorbing the weight when we step, and without it, the heel can be damaged taking the brunt of that weight. The best treatment generally involves stretching, exercise, and proper foot padding.
Achilles Tendonitis
When the pain in your heel is sharp and near the back, going up the back of your foot, then that is likely a sign of Achilles Tendonitis, and needs to be examined immediately. This can be a torn Achilles tendon, which can have permanent and painful consequences if it isn’t treated quickly. This is a common injury for athletes and others who run regularly. Physical therapy and lots of rest and ice will be needed to heal this injury.
Heel Spurs
Heel spurs are when calcium builds up sharp deposits on the heel bone, which can result in small, stabbing pain in the heel with every step. The pain isn’t from the spurs themselves, but when they jab at your flesh in the area. Rest and medical shoe inserts are the usual treatment, although rare cases require surgery.
Heel Trauma
Another common source is simple trauma. Any sort of injury can have long term effects, even if you don’t notice it at the time. You might have slipped and banged your heel months ago and practically forgotten about it, but the heel pain you’re feeling now is a direct result of then. It could have caused a hairline fracture, for instance. If you’ve had any sort of injury, and it’s causing pain long after it should have gone away, seek medical attention.
If you suffer from heel pain in Hyde Park, call up Mitchell Foot and Ankle for expert treatment.
