Heel Pain
Heel pain is one of the most common reasons for a person to see a podiatrist. There are many causes of heel pain including:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Severs (children only)
- Fat pad contusion
- Bursitis
- Stress fracture
- Gout
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Tibial nerve compression
Plantar fasciitis most commonly presents as a dull sporadic pain or bruise like feeling that can progress to a more intense sharper pain. Pain is usually worse first thing in the morning or when getting up after a period of rest.
The plantar fascia is a fibrous band that extends from the heel bone and fans out over the arch towards the toes. Contributing factors causing heel pain can be:
- Weight gain
- Spending long hours standing on feet
- Increase in activity
- Poor footwear
- Poor foot biomechanics
There are many treatments available including:
- Strapping
- Stretching
- Ice
- Avoiding aggravating activities
- Avoiding going barefoot
- Massage
- Strengthening exercises
- Anti-inflammatories
- Footwear change
- Orthotics
- Needling
- Night splint
- Physiotherapy