Heel pain can be disabling and affect your daily movements. It may also change the way that you walk. If this happens, you may be more likely to lose your balance and fall, making you more prone to other injuries.
How can you prevent heel pain?
It may not be possible to prevent all cases of heel pain, yet there are some easy steps that you can take to avoid injury to the heel and prevent pain:
Wear shoes that fit properly and support the foot.
Wear the right shoes for physical activity.
Stretch your muscles before exercising.
Pace yourself during physical activity.
Maintain a healthy diet.
Rest when you feel tired or when your muscles ache.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Find out what are the three worst things you can do for heel pain
When should you contact your doctor?
If you develop heel pain , you may first try some home remedies, such as rest, to ease your symptoms. If your heel pain doesn’t get better within two to three weeks, you should make an appointment with your doctor.
You should call your doctor immediately if you experience the following:
Your pain is severe.
The pain starts suddenly.
You have redness in your heel.
You have swelling in your heel.
You can’t walk because of the pain in your heel.
If you have any problems with heel pain, Book now!
In many cases, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy. This can help to strengthen the muscles and tendons in your foot, which helps to prevent further injury. If your pain is severe, your doctor may provide you with anti-inflammatory medications. These medications can be injected into the foot or taken by mouth.
Your doctor may also recommend that you support your foot as much as possible — either by taping the foot or by using special footwear devices.
When Is Surgery Needed?
Although most patients with heel pain respond to nonsurgical treatment, a small percentage of patients may require surgery. If, after several months of nonsurgical treatment, you continue to have heel pain, surgery will be considered. Your foot and ankle surgeon will discuss the surgical options with you and determine which approach would be most beneficial for you.
Long-Term Care
No matter what kind of treatment you undergo for plantar fasciitis, the underlying causes that led to this condition may remain. Therefore, you will need to continue with preventive measures. Wearing supportive shoes, stretching and using custom orthotic devices are the mainstay of long-term treatment for plantar fasciitis.
REMEMBER: It is never normal for your heel to have prolonged pain.
Unfortunately, often heel care is overlooked. Making sure early heel pain is diagnosed is highly important. If you are experiencing chronic heel pain – or any other issue with your feet or ankles, book online to schedule a consultation.
We offer comprehensive treatment and early diagnosis for heel pain.
That’s where we, Pioneer Podiatry can come in!
Our Podiatrists are well placed to do a foot health assessment while still early!
Please give Pioneer Podiatry a call today if you have any concerns regarding your heel pain.
