Heel Pain

Most of us experience inconvenience and often agony of heel pain at some point in our lives.  The pain might occur under the heel (as is the case with planter fasciitis) or it might be behind the heel, which is a common sympton of Achilles tendinitis.  Heel pain can be very painful and even cause a major change in our daily routine if it continues.  While heel pain can be mostly annoying and may go away on its own, often it can last months and cannot seem to heal, or continues to reoccur.

The foot is a very complex part of our bodies, with many small bones that can cause issues so a chronic pain should be assessed and treated by a foot specialist such as a Chiropodist.  The heel is a large bone that is a major source of support for our bodies, so it is important to not let a chronic pain go uncared for.  Seeing a foot specialists, such as a Chiropodist for a full assessment can help prevent permanent injury and a lifelong issue.  Most of the surfaces we walk on today are very hard and lack give, so whether we are walking or running, the heel absorbs major impact.

Usually heel pain is a symptom of a  mechanical issue, which can be corrected by wearing proper fitting footwear and / or orthotics. But since most of us experience arthritis at some point it is a good idea to be diagnosed and make the necessary adjustments to help slow the degeneration and to ease some, if not all of the pain.  Heel pain can also be caused by infection, trauma, or other more serious systemic conditions that when diagnosed can be treated.

Some highlighted points about heel pain

•  Heel pain normally occurs under the heel or just behind it.
•  Plantar fasciitis is a fairly common injury that accounts for approximately 8% of all running-related injuries.
•  The foot has 26 bones, but the heel bone is the largest.
•  Pain usually starts gradually, often without obvious external injury.
•  Wearing flat shoes can trigger the pain.
•  In most cases the pain is under the foot, towards the front of the heel.
•  Most patients will recover with non-invasive treatments in just a few months.
•  Home care such as rest, ice, proper-fitting footwear and foot supports are often the answer to ease heel pain.

If you are experiencing heel pain, don’t delay, get in to see the Chiropodist at Brampton Foot Clinic for a full assessment.

Please contact our office in Brampton at 905-796-6585 for comprehensive assessment and treatment.