What's Causing Your Heel Pain?

Heel pain is a common complaint many people have and a reason to visit your podiatrist if you have issues with your feet. Heel pain can be chronic, which means it lasts for long periods of time or is frequent, while acute heel pain happens periodically.

Either way, heel pain can be disturbing because it makes you walk differently or causes a distraction in your daily activity. Learn why your heel pain may be occurring so you can share this information with your podiatrist when you make an appointment.

Your shoes are not supportive

When you wear shoes that don't have a decent arch in them to support your arch, you can experience heel pain. The reason for this is due to the uneven dispersing of weight when you walk. The heel and ball of your foot take the brunt of your body weight and pressure when you walk or run, resulting in inflammation in your heel and the resulting pain. Talk to your podiatrist about getting arch supports, particularly if you have a very flat or very high arch, so you can feel more comfortable in your footwear.

You can also buy shoes that have gel sole arches inside them already for ample support. Your podiatrist will give you advice for locating the best shoes for your activity level and heel pain issues.

You have heel spurs

A heel spur is a bone spur in the heel that causes joint, muscle, and bone irritation. This pain causes your foot to feel swollen and very painful in the area where the bone spur is located. A bone spur is a very small piece of bone that has worn off its major bone and sometimes requires surgery to repair. Your podiatrist will give you an examination and possibly X rays to determine if a heel spur is the cause of your heel pain.

A heel spur is most likely to be your issue if you only experience heel pain in one of your feet. If you have pain and inflammation in both of your heels, another issue is more likely to be the cause.

Call your podiatrist right away if your heel pain worsens or spreads to other areas of your feet. If you have diabetes or another chronic medical condition, let your podiatrist know so you can receive special treatment for your feet to keep them in the healthiest condition. Your podiatrist can recommend several treatment options to reduce or eliminate your heel pain. Contact a local clinic that offers heel pain services for more information.