Walking should not be a chore, yet heel pain is a common issue that plagues many individuals. When heel pain becomes disruptive to your life, did you ever think to look at your shoes? Footwear and heel pain are closely related. As a matter of fact, evaluating footwear is part of heel pain treatment.
A common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis or an inflamed plantar fascia. Understanding how your shoes can affect this condition over time is important. Small changes in the type of shoes you wear could help prevent serious pain and discomfort.
Let us discuss the connection between footwear and heel pain with insights from a heel pain doctor in San Antonio.
Understanding Heel Pain
Heel pain is usually caused by different factors coming together to cause pain. Plantar fasciitis is well known, but other types of heel pain include Achilles tendonitis and heel spurs. These conditions can arise from wearing shoes that do not fit well and lack proper support or cushioning.
Shoes without adequate arch support or cushioning fail to provide necessary stability and shock absorption. As a result, the ligaments and muscles in the feet become strained, resulting in pain and inflammation.
Furthermore, individuals with flat feet or high arches are also at greater risk for heel pain. They usually need specific footwear or insoles for added support.
Choosing the Right Footwear
The right footwear can bring you significant relief from heel pain. There are important characteristics to look for in footwear, including:
- Good Arch Support: Proper support helps distribute weight evenly and reduces pressure on your heel.
- Cushioned Heel: Extra padding in the heel area can absorb impact and reduce pain.
- Firm Heel Counter: A firm back part of the shoe stabilizes your heel and prevents excess movement.
- Shock Absorption: Shoes with good shock absorption reduce the impact on your feet when walking or running.
- Proper Fit: Ensure the shoe fits well without squeezing your toes or being too loose. A good fit prevents further irritation.
- Slight Heel Lift: A slight lift in the heel (around 1/2 to 1 inch) can reduce strain on the plantar fascia.
- Flexible Sole: A flexible but supportive sole allows your foot to move naturally without putting too much strain on your heel.
By focusing on these features, you can reduce heel pain and provide your feet with the support they need. A heel pain doctor in San Antonio recommends trying on shoes at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen. This ensures a better fit.
How Can a Foot Surgeon in San Antonio, TX, Treat Heel Pain?
A foot and ankle surgeon or podiatrist can create a treatment plan for you. They can use a combination of methods to bring you relief.
Some of the common treatments include:
- Rest and Ice: Resting your foot and applying ice can reduce inflammation and pain, especially after activity.
- Orthotics: Custom-made shoe inserts provide extra support and cushioning for your heel, helping to distribute pressure evenly and relieve pain.
- Stretching Exercises: Podiatrists often recommend stretches for the calf and plantar fascia to improve flexibility and reduce tension in the heel.
- Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises can strengthen the foot muscles and improve mobility, helping to alleviate pain.
- Medication: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can help reduce pain and swelling.
- Corticosteroid Injections: In more severe cases, a podiatrist may inject corticosteroids directly into the heel to reduce inflammation.
- Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): This non-invasive treatment uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in the affected area. The shockwaves increase blood flow, promote tissue regeneration, and reduce pain over time. It is often used when other treatments have not been effective for chronic heel pain, like plantar fasciitis.
- Night Splints: Podiatrists may recommend wearing a night splint to keep the foot in a stretched position while you sleep, easing morning heel pain.
If non-invasive treatments do not work, surgery might be an option in rare cases to release tension in the plantar fascia or remove a heel spur. However, podiatrists typically prefer to use non-surgical methods first.
Top Heel Pain Doctor in San Antonio, TX
The Podiatry Group of South Texas is a trusted name in foot and ankle treatments. Our podiatrists use the latest techniques for treating heel pain and can perform them in-house for your convenience.
We see individuals with heel pain from plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and more. We provide personalized solutions tailored to individual needs.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our foot surgeons, call us today at (210) 227-8700. We look forward to bringing you compassionate, patient-centric care.
