Heel Pain
Heel Pain Treatment In Lees Summit, MO
Heel pain is a fairly common complaint and a problem we see quite often at our Lee’s Summit, MO, practice. Feet take a lot of abuse every day, and you don’t even need to be a runner or athlete to deal with achy feet. If heel pain is impacting you, our podiatric team here at Foot & Ankle Clinic can help you get your pain under control. Don’t let heel pain keep you benched.
Heel Pain Causes
The majority of heel pain cases that we see are a result of either plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis. Both of these conditions can be brought on by trauma or merely repetitive stress on the feet. While we do often see these conditions in athletes or those with active lifestyles, anyone can develop one of these conditions.
- Plantar fasciitis: When the plantar fascia, the band of tissues that runs from the heel to your toes, becomes inflamed, then you have plantar fasciitis. The pain may be sharp and stabbing or you may only notice it upon waking. The pain will originate at the bottom of the heel but may radiate to the arches.
- Achilles tendonitis: Achilles tendonitis pain is commonly brought about by overuse and it affects the tissues that run from the calf muscles to the heel bone. You may also notice swelling, tenderness or stiffness, or intense pain following a workout.
Heel Pain Treatment
We often recommend the RICE method for at-home care of heel pain:
- Rest: Stay off your foot as much as possible. If you notice pain during your daily activities stop and give your foot a break.
- Ice: Icing the heel can reduce inflammation and pain. For the first two days, you can apply ice to the area for about 10 to 20 minutes at a time about three times a day. Once the swelling has subsided, you can opt for a heating pad.
- Compression: Compression wraps, arch support bandages, and orthotics can also take pressure off the heel and provide support and stability. Furthermore, compression wraps may reduce swelling.
- Elevate: Just as we recommend resting whenever possible we also advise our patients to elevate their foot, particularly when icing your foot or when sitting down. To reduce inflammation, keep the foot propped up above your heart.
How Custom Orthotics Can Help
Prescription orthotics are devices that we custom-make to fit into your shoes. These devices take pressure off the heel and arches of the foot to improve pain, stiffness, and swelling due to plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis. These devices are crafted by our team based on a mold of your foot, providing your feet with the exact support they need to both manage and prevent heel pain.