Do you want relief from heel pain related to plantar fasciitis or bone spurs? A podiatrist may help you treat this critical condition and return to your daily activities. Your care plan will depend on your unique needs, but in general, there are the four at-home or in-office management strategies your heel pain doctor may offer you.
Let’s talk about these treatments and where you can go in San Antonio, TX, for high-quality foot care.
Causes of Heel Pain
Some people describe heel pain as an ache. Others say it feels like they are stopping on a pebble or a nail. Whatever the sensation, the symptoms can impact your daily activities.
Causes of heel pain include:
- Plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the connective tissue which crosses the arch of the foot
- Achilles tendonitis, inflammation of the fibrous cord between the calf muscle and heel
- Haglund’s deformity, a pronounced bump at the back of the heel
- Stress fractures and bone cracks are often caused by overuse
- Bone bruising, build-up of fluid at the site of a blow to an extremity, such as the foot
- Gout is a type of arthritis that features high uric acid levels in the toe joints
There are other causes, too, but most heel pain patients respond well to non-invasive interventions. To start the right podiatric care plan, visit your heel pain doctor, where a discussion of symptoms and medical history, along with digital imaging and a manual inspection of your heel, will yield information pertinent to diagnosis and treatments.
Four Effective Treatments for Heel Pain
Effective treatment for heel pain starts with prevention. Your foot doctors recommend all patients must wear well-constructed footwear that supports the arches and heels and has roomy toe boxes. Avoid high heels to reduce pressure on the heel and forefoot. Keep a healthy body weight, too.
Additionally, you may use simple at-home treatments:
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory meds such as ibuprofen as needed.
- Stretch the calf muscles and arches of the feet (plantar fascia) before working out.
- Employ RICE to reduce pain and swelling–rest, ice, compression (with an elastic bandage), and foot elevation.
- Avoid activities that exert undue pressure on the heels (running).
Finally, your foot doctor may advise one or more of these in-office services.
- Injection therapy, shots of corticosteroid medication that receive inflammation
- Physical therapy includes stretching, massage, heat and ice application, and more
- Electric Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) delivers sound waves to the heel and nearby connective tissues, relieving inflammation, increasing circulation and breaking up calcifications
- Surgery is a last resort procedure to correct problems with the Achilles tendon, plantar fascia, or heel spurs
Come to The Podiatry Group of South Texas for Expert Foot and Ankle Treatments in San Antonio, TX
You can overcome heel pain and its causes. Please contact one of our seven podiatry clinics for a helpful consultation with a board-certified foot doctor. Your treatment plan will be custom-tailored to your desired goals, health, and more. Or, you may fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to serving your foot and ankle needs.
