Don't Ignore Your Heel Pain

Heel pain is the most common foot and ankle ailment, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Tasked with bearing most of our body weight, our ankles and feet can withstand their fair share of pressure, from low impact activities like walking on hard city streets, to playing intensive sports like basketball or running marathons. Even something as simple as wearing shoes with inadequate support (we're looking at you, flip flops) can lead to pain and orthopedic injuries over time.

Although many instances of heel and ankle pain clear up after a period of rest and conservative treatment, the podiatrists at Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists in Pennsauken and Turnersville, NJ, recommend scheduling an appointment if pain persists or clears up and returns, to rule out sprains, tears or an injury.

Heel Pain Diagnosis and Treatment in Turnersville and Pennsauken, NJ

The American Podiatric Medical Association conducted a survey that found that as many as 40% of adults suffer from heel pain every year. There are a number of lifestyle and medical factors that contribute to and can increase the likelihood of developing a foot or ankle injury. The most common causes of heel pain are:

• Repetitive stress and strain
• Regularly wearing shoes and sneakers with insufficient support
• Aging
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Thinning fat pads
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Osteoarthritis
• Flat feet
• Pronation problems

Treatment for heel pain depends on the cause and severity of the pain. In many cases, conservative treatments like rest, icing and taking over the counter pain relievers will do the trick. A podiatrist may also recommend physical therapy in cases of an injury or stress fracture or assistive devices like braces or orthotics that are worn in the shoes to keep the feet and ankles in proper alignment.

Find a Podiatrist in Turnersville and Pennsauken, NJ

Persistent heel and ankle pain can be a sign of an injury. Contact Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists by calling (856) 488-5290 in Pennsauken or (856) 875-8855 in Turnersville to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist in New Jersey today.