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Find out how to treat heel pain yourself and when to see a podiatrist.
Whether you are an avid runner or just someone who likes going to the gym occasionally, it can be challenging to do these everyday activities when faced with heel pain. Did you take that run just a little too far yesterday? Did you suddenly intensify your exercise regime? Then your heels might be screaming out for sweet relief. Here’s how to tackle heel pain before seeing a podiatrist.
What causes heel pain?
Plantar fasciitis is typically the cause of most heel pain. While the name might seem a bit intimidating, don’t worry! Symptoms can often be managed through simple at-home remedies such as,
- Performing specific foot stretches and exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve function.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medication to soothe pain and inflammation temporarily.
- Avoid high-impact activities, which will often only exacerbate the condition and lead to further inflammation.
- Splint the foot or wear shoe inserts (orthotics) to provide arch support.
- Consider corticosteroid injections and extracorporeal shock wave therapy, which may also be helpful for those dealing with more severe or stubborn pain.
When should I call my podiatrist?
While you may not want to immediately rush to call your podiatrist at the first bout of pain, you mustn’t ignore a potentially serious issue. You should turn to a podiatrist if,
- You have severe heel pain or swelling
- You can’t point your foot downward or stand up on your tiptoes
- You also notice numbness or a tingling sensation in the heel accompanied by pain
- You experience sudden pain that occurs right after an injury
- You have diabetes or have neuropathy in your feet
- You have been trying at-home treatment options for a week, and there are no changes to your symptoms
If rest and home care haven’t been enough to manage your heel pain, it’s time to turn to a foot and ankle specialist who can help.
Your podiatrist in Turnersville, and Pennsauken, NJ, can help you get relief from heel pain
Heel pain can be upsetting. You want to stay active, but heel pain keeps you from standing and walking. If you have heel pain, your podiatrist can help you feel better.
The podiatrists at Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists provide a wide range of podiatry services, including treatment of heel pain. They have two convenient office locations in Turnersville, and Pennsauken, NJ, to help you.
There are several causes of heel pain. You can develop heel pain from:
- A heel bruise, caused by walking on sharp, hard objects
- A heel spur, caused by excess deposits of calcium on your heel
- Plantar fasciitis, caused by inflammation of the tissue on your heel
You can try a few simple treatments at home to get relief from mild heel pain. You can:
- Apply ice to your heel several times each day
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication
- Wear cushions or inserts in your shoes to cushion your heels
- Do gentle arch stretches several times each day
Your podiatrist has several ways to provide relief from heel pain, including:
- Custom-fit orthotics to cushion and support your feet and heels
- Prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling
- Stretching exercises and physical therapy to keep your feet flexible
- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment to break up deposits of calcium on your heel
Severe cases of plantar fasciitis may benefit from surgery to release part of the tight tissue on your heel. Your podiatrist will recommend the best treatment for your heel pain, to get you moving again.
To learn more about the causes and treatment of heel pain and how your podiatrist can help you and your feet, call the podiatrists at Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists. You can reach them in the Turnersville, NJ, office at (856) 875-8855, or in the Pennsauken, NJ, office by calling (856) 488-5290, so call now.
Have you been diagnosed with a bunion? A bunion is a common foot deformity that if left untreated can cause significant pain, swelling, structural changes and even trouble walking. Of course, it’s important to prevent a bunion from getting to this point, and the best way to do that is to turn to a podiatrist for a tailored-to-you treatment plan. The good news is that there are also some simple lifestyle changes you can make right now to slow the progress of your bunion.Conservative Treatment Options
If a bunion is caught during the early stages, then you’re in luck. Most people can get away with at-home care and more conservative ways to manage their bunions. Most podiatrists will recommend conservative measures first to see if they ease bunion stiffness, pain and swelling. It’s when symptoms aren’t managed through these lifestyle changes that a podiatrist steps in to provide relief. Some conservative ways to treat bunions include,
- Icing the bunion for 15-20 minutes at a time to ease pain and swelling. This can be done 3-4 times a day, every day, as needed.
- Taking an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen that can reduce inflammation and pain (while medication only provides temporary relief, when you are in pain, this medication can certainly help)
- Stretching out the foot with special mobility exercises for the feet and ankles (ask your podiatrist or simply search online for some of the best foot stretches to ease bunion stiffness)
- Wearing proper footwear that provides the ideal cushioning, fit, and support
- Avoiding high heels, shoes that put pressure on the bunion, and shoes with a pointed toe
- Getting custom orthotics from a podiatrist (these custom-made shoe inserts can provide additional support for the deformed joint)
So, you’ve been trying to manage your bunion symptoms on your own but nothing seems to be working. Does this sound like you? If so, it’s time to employ the help of your trusty podiatrist. After all, that’s what they are there for. A podiatrist can provide you with the treatment plan you need when home care fails to provide you with the results you’re looking for. Your podiatrist may recommend splinting, padding or tapping, or may prescribe a stronger pain reliever. They can also suggest specialty footwear that can provide ample support. They can also determine if it’s time to get corrective bunion surgery.
If you adopt these simple solutions you may find that it drastically slows the growth of your bunions and may even keep you from needing surgery in the future. Of course, if your bunion is causing you severe pain, it’s always best to speak with a foot and ankle specialist to find out what you can do to better manage your symptoms.
Pounding pavement, intense box jumps, PR deadlifts…we couldn’t do the activities and exercise we love without healthy feet and ankles. Of course, feet and ankles are also prone to injury. The good news is that there are strategies and tips you can follow to proactively keep your feet and ankles healthy to reduce your risk for sports-related injuries.Choose the Right Shoes for the Job
There’s a reason there are shoes just for runners, shoes for weightlifters, and shoes for soccer players. Every sport requires its own shoes that provide just the right cushioning, stability, and support for the feet and ankles. Wearing the right shoes for your chosen sport is imperative to providing your feet with exactly what they need whether it’s ankle stability for those quick side-to-side movements or added cushioning for power jumps.
Rotate Socks and Shoes Regularly
As you work out it’s natural for your feet to sweat; however, the last thing you want to do is leave your feet in sweaty shoes and socks. That’s why it’s always best to carry at least another pair of socks with you and to swap them out after exercise to prevent blisters or a nasty fungal infection. Always choose moisture-wicking socks to help wick away some of the sweat.
Know When to Get Rid of Your Shoes
No shoes are designed to last forever. While you may simply love your sneakers you have to recognize when to part ways and get a new pair. After all, shoes wear down over time and they are less likely to cushion or absorb shock, which can leave you prone to injuries. Shoes are only designed to last about 300-500 miles. If you see that the treads are wearing out this is a clear sign that it’s time to invest in a new pair of sneakers.
Train and Condition Regularly
It’s important that you condition your body and train even off-season so that your body is primed and ready once the season begins. Conditioning the body including the feet and ankles gets them prepared for activity, and it also means that you can increase intensity and duration gradually to reduce your risk for injury. Make sure that you are training throughout the season, even off-season.
Even if you aren’t dealing with foot or ankle problems, if you are physically active or an athlete, having a podiatrist that you turn to regularly for care and advice can go a long way to preventing injuries and other problems.
Fallen arches, better known as flat feet, are more common than you might realize. While many people have flat feet and don’t even know it, others are dealing with regular aches and pains in their feet due to fallen arches. If you think this could be you, a podiatrist can quickly diagnose this problem and provide you with effective strategies to keep fallen arches from also causing you pain.What are some complications of fallen arches?
Some people have fallen arches but never experience any issues; however, sometimes fallen arches can lead to,
- Foot, heel, and arch pain, particularly when standing or walking
- Muscle pain
- Leg cramps
- Shooting leg pains that start at the soles of the feet
- Swelling of the feet or tenderness in the soles
- Plantar fasciitis
- Shin splints
- Bone spurs
- Arthritis
- Bunions
- Lower back pain, hip pain, or knee pain
What causes fallen arches?
Arches develop around the age of 2 or 3 years old; however, sometimes arches never develop. Genetics can increase your risk for flat feet. Sometimes injuries or other foot problems can cause flat feet to develop as an adult. Certain conditions can also increase your risk for flat feet including,
- Diabetes
- Cerebral palsy
- Achilles tendonitis
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
If fallen arches do not cause any problems then you don’t really need to do anything about them; however, it is important to recognize whether certain issues you’re dealing with could be the result of fallen arches. If so, your podiatrist may recommend a wide range of nonsurgical treatment options including,
- Nonsteroid anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy
- Orthotics and arch support
- Stretching exercises
- Bracing
- Custom shoes
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