If you experience heel pain while walking in Sparta, NJ, Dr. Philip Caswell at Family Foot & Ankle Care can provide the care and treatment you need to stay on your feet.
Common Causes of Heel Pain While Walking
Heel pain in Sparta, NJ can come due to a wide range of conditions, the most common of which are listed below. If you suffer from any of these conditions, Dr. Caswell can help you choose the best treatment options.
Achilles Tendinitis
The Achilles tendon runs along the back of the heel up to the calf. Wear and tear and repetitive stress lead to overuse injuries and pain in this tendon. Additionally, when your calf muscles are tense, they put additional pressure on the tendon.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition that leads to inflamed joints in different areas of the body, including the foot and heel. This causes pain and difficulty when walking. While arthritis is not always due to an injury, if you have ever injured your foot or heel, you can develop arthritis in those joints.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain in the heel. The plantar fascia is the band that connects your heel to your toes and helps absorb the shock of walking and running. Overuse causes this band to become inflamed, which leads to heel pain and, sometimes, heel spurs.
Atrophy of the Fat Pad
The heel is protected by a cushion of fat known as the fat pad. It covers sensitive tissues and other parts of the heel. As long as this fat pad is thick, it prevents several types of pain and injury and absorbs shock.
Unfortunately, this pad can thin out due to wear and tear. When this occurs, there is less protection for the connective tissue and other sensitive heel elements. A loss of heel pad fat is one of the top causes of pain in the heel while walking.
Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone that typically lead to bruising and pain. They can occur in any bone and are typically due to repetitive strain, such as daily walks or jogs. Intensifying your workout suddenly increases the chance of developing a stress fracture in the heel or foot.
Heel pain in Sparta, NJ doesn’t have to stop you from walking or any other activity. Call (973) 300-9151 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Caswell at Family Foot & Ankle Care today.