Painful Heels? What The Problem Could Be
Pain in the heels can sometimes feel like tiny needles poking into your foot. This type of pain can make just about anything you do on a daily basis difficult. Heel pain may be due to a few different things. Read on for just a few of the things it may be.
Heel Spurs
Heel spurs are a growth on the heel bone. It looks like a hooked shape piece of built-up calcium that can be very painful when walking or doing anything on your feet. After moving around for awhile, it may not feel as painful, but when you stop moving you may feel more pain. Heel spurs can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen. Orthotics may also be used to help heal your heel.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a condition when the plantar fascia ligament gets over-stretched. This ligament goes from the arch to the heel. If the ligament is stretched too far it may cause you pain. This pain is much like heel spurs, as you may not feel pain when you begin moving, but rather at rest or when you take your first steps in the early morning.
Plantar fasciitis can be treated by wearing the proper-fitting shoes that offer support in the arch and the entire foot. Adding orthotics to your footwear can also help this condition. If you are overweight, losing weight may also help treat this condition, as the extra weight may be too much for your ligaments in your feet and elsewhere in your body. In some cases, surgery may be used to treat plantar fasciitis.
Trauma
Trauma to the heel such as stepping on something sharp may cause trauma to the heel. Stepping on something may lead bruising of the heel or foot. If the pain persists you should see the podiatrist for an x-ray and exam. Prevent this type of trauma by wearing the proper footwear rather than going barefoot, which is how this type of injury can happen. If the trauma caused a cut to the foot that is deep, you may need stitches or to have the area cleaned properly. Get to urgent care if this is the type of injury you have.
Pain in the heels can occur from a number of things. If your pain persists and you've tried to change your footwear, visit a podiatrist for an exam and checkup and for treatment options.
