What is Causing My Heel Pain?

What is Causing My Heel Pain?

If you are dealing with heel pain, it’s time to find out what might be behind this issue.heel pain

Heel pain can be a nasty and annoying issue. One day you could be absolutely fine and be enjoying an amazing run in the beautiful weather and the next morning you could find yourself barely able to move without pain. If this sounds like something you are dealing with, our West Orange, NJ podiatrists are here to help.

The Causes of Heel Pain

In many cases, heel pain is caused by an inflammatory condition known as plantar fasciitis. If you have pain due to plantar fasciitis you may notice that the pain is located more on the bottom of the heel. The pain may be worse when you first get up in the morning and may come and go throughout the day. Surprisingly enough, you may find that the pain dissipates or goes away while working out. Of course, that pain will often come screaming back shortly after.

Other causes of heel pain include:

  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Bone spurs
  • Stress fractures
  • Bursitis of the heel
  • Heel pad inflammation
  • Bruised bone
  • Arthritis

When to Turn to a Doctor

Sometimes you can easily manage your discomfort all on your own; however, it might be time to pick up the phone and call our West Orange, NJ, foot doctors if you are dealing with any of these issues:

  • Severe pain or swelling
  • Pain that makes it impossible to put weight on the foot
  • If you can’t bend the foot or if you are experiencing a significantly limited range of motion
  • A fever along with your heel pain
  • Numbness or tingling in the heel
  • If heel pain has lasted over a week
  • If heel pain is actually getting worse and not better
  • If your pain lingers even if you aren’t standing on the foot or moving around

Treating Your Heel Pain

Fortunately, there are many simple solutions for managing your symptoms until your foot properly heals. Most patients will be able to get away with resting to reduce pain and swelling. More moderate-to-severe cases might experience better pain relief from steroid injections.

Splinting the heel at night, wearing custom orthotics (shoe inserts) and performing certain stretching and strengthening exercises can also improve your symptoms. If we find that your condition isn’t improving despite these measures, then shockwave therapy may be the next course of action to bolster healing.

Heel pain doesn’t have to alter your plans. By following these simple tips you can quickly get on the road to recovery. Foot Health Center in West Orange, NJ, can help. Call us today if you are dealing with new or worsening heel pain.

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