3 Conditions That Can Cause Heel Pain
Posted on: 6 December 2016
Are you having a difficult time pinpointing why your heel is in so much pain? If the pain is getting severe to the point of your not being able to comfortably wear shoes, it is time for you to visit a podiatrist to get properly diagnosed. You will find that there are actually numerous medical conditions that can cause you to experience heel pain. This article covers a portion of the conditions that might be responsible for your pain.
1. Heel Spurs
Heel spurs are a common problem that can cause you to have heel pain. The condition can develop from several things, such as wearing shoes that aren't the right size. You can also develop heel spurs if you run on a regular basis. Basically, heel spurs are abnormal growths on your bones that can cause an excessive amount of pain as they press against your shoes while you are walking. How heel spurs are treated will depend on the severity of your pain. You might be prescribed pain medication, undergo physical therapy, or get the abnormal growths removed via surgery.
2. A Fractured Heel
If you injured your foot right before all of the pain began, it is possible that your heel was fractured in the process. You might notice that your heel is abnormally swollen if the bones are fractured. Excessive pain might mean that your heel bones are actually shattered from the injury. One of the signs that a heel is fractured is when bruises develop that won't go way. You might need to undergo surgery to treat the fracture, but minor forms of treatment include wearing pads in your shoes, walking with crutches, or taking pain medication.
3. Plantar Fasciitis
When there is pain in other areas of your foot along with the heel, this points to plantar fasciitis being the cause. The plantar-fascia area of your foot may be inflamed from walking around a lot. Basically, this area of your foot extends from the heel to the bottom of your toes. If you continue walking on your feet without getting treated by a podiatrist, it is possible that you will experience pain to the extent of not being able to walk or wear shoes. A few of the types of treatment that are commonly done for plantar fasciitis include wearing orthotics, taking medication for inflammation, or, in the worst-case scenario, undergoing a surgical procedure.
Make an appointment with a podiatrist to start getting treatment.
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