Is heel pain happening to you more often than you would like?
Is heel pain making it impossible to lace up those sneakers and go on your morning run? If so, then you may want to read on to find out what’s going on, how to treat this problem and when it’s time to turn to our Houston podiatrists for medical care.
The two most common causes of heel pain are inflammatory conditions known as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Usually, you can tell which one is causing your symptoms by the location of your pain. For example, if you are experiencing pain in the bottom of your heel then it’s most likely caused by plantar fasciitis. If the pain is located above the heel then it might be Achilles tendonitis.
Other causes of heel pain include:
- Strains and sprains
- Stress fractures
- Heel spurs
- Bursitis (inflammation of the joints)
- Achilles tendon rupture (this is considered a medical emergency)
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Osteomyelitis (an infection of the bone)
- Certain types of arthritis (symptoms will appear gradually over time)
When You Should See a Doctor
If you’ve never experienced heel pain before it’s important that you turn to a foot care specialist in Houston who will be able to properly diagnose the issue and provide you with the best course of action. If plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis is causing your heel pain these two problems will often just go away on their own with proper at-home care and rest.
Of course, it is important that you seek medical attention right away under these circumstances:
- If you are experiencing severe pain or swelling near or around the heel
- If you are unable to bend your foot
- If your heel pain is the result of an injury
- If your pain is accompanied by a fever
- If you also notice numbness or tingling in the affected heel
It’s also a good idea to visit a foot doctor if your heel pain doesn’t seem to get better with at-home care, if it keeps getting worse or if it’s difficult or painful to put weight on the foot.
Don’t let heel pain bench you or affect your daily routine. If heel pain isn’t responding to at-home care then it’s time to turn to our foot and ankle specialists offering comprehensive care to the Chimney Rock, Memorial Park, Katy, Willowbrook and Woodlands, TX, areas. Call Podiatry Associates of Houston today.