Posts Tagged Orthopedics

Pain in the heel is one of the most common complaints I see. In fact, according to studies, over 2 million people suffer with this condition yearly. Why is it so common? Is it because we are an active society and put too much stress on our feet? The answer is yes, but there is more to it than that.
The type of heel pain I am referring to is the pain someone would feel on the bottom of the heel. (Pain in the back of the heel is a whole different condition.) Pain on the bottom of the heel usually is present when you first step out of bed. It is also present when you get up after sitting for awhile or after you have been on your feet for awhile.
This condition is usually a strain and inflammation of a large tendon that attaches to the heel bone. The strain can come from overuse, excessive weight, wearing unsupportive shoes, an injury or flat feet. There is a specific foot structure and movement of the foot that predisposes one to this strain. If your arches are flat, you like to go without shoes around the house and you wear mostly flat shoes, you are at high risk for this condition.
Heel pain can happen to all age groups, men and women and whether you sit or stand at work. Of course, some professions such as teachers, nurses and anyone who stands all day, are more prone to this strain. If you stand all day, wear shoes with little support and are over weight, your chances of developing heel pain dramatically increases.
Treatment of heel pain can be very easy or quite challenging. It usually depends on how soon someone with this problem decides to get it treated. Unfortunately, the average time it takes for someone to consult a specialist for this condition is 3 months. If treated within one month, most heel pain can be eliminated in one or two visits. Waiting longer than a month to be treated often results in several more visits and modalities needed to stop the pain. In fact, the need for surgery increases the longer one waits to be treated.
There are several things you can do to help prevent heel pain. (1) Wear shoes at home even if it is something like crocs. (2) Keep your weight under control. (3) Wear high quality athletic shoes such as New Balance or Brooks when exercising or standing a lot. (4) Stretch your calf muscles daily. (5) Gradually increase your activity level to avoid overuse strain.
If you experience pain in your heel, or know someone who does, see a Podiatrist sooner rather than waiting. It may only take one visit to fix the problem.