Nearly everyone has heel pain from time to time. In many cases, the pain goes away on its own in a few days—however, when it lasts more than a week or two, it's time to visit your podiatrists here at Thurber & Thurber in Elmira, Horseheads, and Waverly, NY. Read on to more!
What causes heel pain?
Heel pain can be caused by:
- Stone Bruises: Stone bruises are minor, yet painful, injuries that affect the fat pad under your heel. You can develop them if you step on a hard object or run or walk in shoes that are worn out or don't have enough padding.
- Stress Fractures: Stress fractures can occur if you train too long or hard. The painful fractures cause cracks to form in your heel bone.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis, one of the most common types of heel injuries, occurs when your plantar fascia (the tissue that connects your toes to your heels and runs along the bottom of your foot) becomes inflamed.
- Heel Spurs: These calcium deposits form on the bottom of your heel bone and make walking painful. You're more likely to develop heel spurs if you've had plantar fasciitis before, have an issue with your gait, run/walk for exercise, or wear shoes that don't fit properly.
- Achilles Tendonitis: Achilles tendonitis develops when the long, skinny tendon at the back of your heel becomes inflamed.
Why ignoring heel pain is a bad idea
Your body does a remarkable job of healing itself, but sometimes, it needs a little help. After all, if you don't receive treatment for your injury, you may develop arthritis or another chronic heel issue that causes recurrent pain and interferes with your ability to move.
Fortunately, your podiatrist offers treatments that can help ease your pain and help you get back on your feet quickly. Casts, boots, and crutches all relieve pressure on your heel, while splints, heel cups, and orthotics realign your foot and offer extra cushioning for your heel. Depending on your condition, your foot doctor in Elmira, Horseheads, and Waverly, NY, may also recommend medication, injections, or ultrasound therapy.
Need relief? Give us a call
Do you have heel pain? Schedule an appointment with the podiatrists at Thurber & Thurber by calling (607) 734-4582 for the Elmira, NY, office, (607) 739-8318 for the Horseheads office or (607) 565-8128 for the Waverly office.