Why Does My Heel Hurt?
One of the conditions frequently treated in podiatrist’s offices is heel pain. It often occurs after after participating in high impact activities and sports with a lot of running and jumping like basketball, tennis, and football. One of the most common reasons for heel pain is a condition known as plantar fasciitis.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot and connects to the heel bone. It forms the structure of your arch, and when the tissue becomes inflamed or irritated, a deterioration can occur where the tissue connects to the heel bone causing severe pain upon weight bearing activities. Overweight individuals, people with high arches, and having tight calf muscles can all contribute to this condition.
If conservative measures are undertaken right away after the injury, plantar fasciitis will respond well to treatment involving the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Stretching the calf muscle and wearing the right footwear with specially designed orthotic inserts will also help. These inserts are molded to fit your unique foot shape and will help provide increased support and correct any gait or other movement abnormalities.
Physical therapy can also be effective in strengthening and stretching the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Proper stretching of the calf muscle is especially important in treating plantar fasciitis.
If you are experiencing debilitating heel pain, we highly recommend that you consult our board certified podiatrists Andrew Shapiro, DPM and Michael Barkin, DPM. With access to advanced technologies, along with years of experience to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, we can assist you with heel pain, ankle sprains, diabetic foot care, toe deformities, nail fungus, and skin problems, among many other conditions. Our practice is conveniently located on West Merrick Road in Valley Stream to accommodate all of your foot care needs. Call (516) 825-3860 or book an appointment online today!