Heel pain is prevalent among athletes and non-athletes; it happens just from standing too long on a regular basis. You may get heel pain easily and need to be more careful, especially when you're up and about all day.
Unfortunately, heel pain is a real problem that makes it hard to enjoy everyday activities. It may worsen without treatment, but lifestyle changes help, too.
At Beltsville Foot and Ankle Center in Beltsville, Maryland, Dr. David Deiboldt provides cutting-edge treatments and compassionate care for foot and ankle conditions. He helps you determine the cause of heel pain and gives you the care you need to stand comfortably all day.
Standing all day for work or being active and running on hard surfaces may lead to uncomfortable heel pain – but why? Various conditions cause heel pain, including simple wear-and-tear on the foot structures from standing all day long.
The main culprits behind heel pain are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Although the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon are highly durable, they become irritated with too much exertion.
Being on your feet all day puts a lot of pressure on the Achilles tendon, causing inflammation and pain. Because tendons don't get a good blood supply, the problem becomes chronic if not caught early on.
Plantar fasciitis also leads to heel pain, especially when standing on hard surfaces all day. When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed from overuse, the heel and foot pain worsens after rest.
Other conditions that may cause heel pain include bursitis, heel spurs, or stress fractures. It's crucial to seek treatment for heel pain quickly to avoid worsening pain and complications.
The great news is that most cases of heel pain require a few lifestyle changes to heal, especially if you're active and on your feet for most of the day.
The lifestyle changes you need depend on the cause of heel pain. If you're unable to get off your feet during the day, there are some tips to help manage discomfort, including:
You may notice your pain getting better after implementing some of these changes. Losing weight also takes stress off your feet, which may improve symptoms.
Lifestyle changes alone aren't always enough to eliminate heel pain, especially in the later stages.
You could benefit from professional care if you're still experiencing heel pain after attempting lifestyle changes. We evaluate your feet to determine the best action for your needs.
Physical therapy is a great treatment option for heel pain. It addresses the root cause and provides stretching, strength training, and balance into your daily routine. Over time, you eliminate the problem by strengthening and improving tissue flexibility.
We also provide steroid injections to eliminate inflammation that causes heel pain. Along with physical therapy, these can help you quickly achieve a better outcome.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a noninvasive option that stimulates blood flow to the Achilles tendon or plantar fascia to help the body heal tissue damage. It's an option if other methods have yet to be successful.
Usually, lifestyle changes and professional treatments are necessary to eliminate heel pain so you can enjoy being on your feet throughout the day.
Call the office or request a consultation on our website to schedule an appointment today with Dr. Deiboldt at Beltsville Foot and Ankle Care for heel pain, plantar fasciitis, or Achilles tendonitis.
