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When Should I Be Concerned About Heel Pain?

Updated: Dec 15, 2022

Heel pain can build up gradually over time and, as it gets worse, what might have started as a mild pain can make standing or bearing weight on the heel excruciating. While most heel pain experiences probably only affect one heel, heel pain can unfortunately occur in both heels at the same time. Walking might improve the pain, but walking or standing for an extended period usually causes pain to return. This leads to an abnormal gait or limping to avoid weight on the affected foot. No one should be limping around because of a treatable pain problem, so why delay in getting help?


As with any abnormal foot pain, heel pain is a concern. If you’ve been having persistent heel pain it is time to see a chiropodist. The heel bone is essential for stability and weight bearing while walking. We’ll go over the symptoms here that you should be looking for, but it is essential to remember that the quickest way to pain-free mobility is to visit a chiropodist as soon as possible.


Symptoms of Heel Pain

Heel pain most commonly occurs when the plantar fascia, a band of ligaments that run under the sole of your foot, experiences plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the tissue in your heel caused by sudden damage or damage that occurs over time. This is not the only cause of heel pain, but it is one of the most common.


If you wear flat-soled shoes or have a job that involves sitting for long periods, you run a greater risk of plantar fasciitis. Symptoms vary depending on the cause, but some of the common ones include:

  • Discolouration of the heel

  • Stiffness and swelling

  • Tenderness

  • Increased pain after standing or walking for an extended period of time

Complications of Heel Pain

Heel pain interferes with day-to-day life and mobility. Exercise, work, and daily tasks can be much more difficult when experiencing plantar fasciitis–and you can basically forget about running or playing with your children or sporty friends. If your untreated heel pain is caused by undiagnosed Achilles tendonitis, the tendon can break down over time and tear or rupture. Tearing or rupturing may require surgery to heal. Take the time to treat your heel sooner rather than later before the problem gets worse.


You might detect heel pain behind the heel, beneath it, or within the heel bone. Several types of problems can lead to heel pain, including Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, Sever’s disease, and more.


Heel Pain Relief

This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s true: resting your heel can help relieve heel pain and speed up your recovery. You may be able to relieve symptoms by stretching the plantar fascia and using an icepack on your heel. However, plantar fasciitis will usually take an extended time to heal and you may want to talk to a professional who specializes in this type of pain. During your heel pain treatment, the chiropodists at Qureshy Footcare & Orthotics Clinic will perform a detailed assessment and diagnose heel pain.


Treatment plans may include the following:

  • Custom Orthotics

  • Ice/heat therapy

  • Massage

  • Cold Laser Therapy

Heel pain treatment takes time, but should lead to a full recovery. To reduce the chance of surgery, seek heel pain treatment from a licensed chiropodist. If you experience pain that doesn’t improve in a few weeks—or if you notice severe foot and heel swelling—then you should try to seek heel pain treatment immediately. Don’t let the problem get worse. Get the help you need now so you can start recovering and get your life back under your control!


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