When Should You Seek Medical Attention for Heel Pain?

Your heel carries the weight of your whole body whenever you walk or stand. Therefore, heel pain could significantly impair your life quality. After all, you cannot spend the entire day on your toes. If the pain is minor to severe, ice and rest therapy could effectively alleviate it. However, if your Glen Burnie heel pain feels as if you are treading on stones or line needles are thrusting into your heel, you should contact a podiatrist or foot and ankle surgeon. Continue reading to learn some common signs that you should seek specialist care for heel pain and what treatment options are available.

When Does Heel Pain Require Expert Care?

You should see a foot specialist for your heel discomfort if:

1. Heel Discomfort Emanates from Injuries

Some common injuries that could result in heel discomfort include:

·       Stress fractures- tiny bone fractures typically induced by repetitive or overuse of stress

·       Plantar fasciitis- Irritation or swelling of the plantar fascia, the fibrous strip of tissue that extends from the toes towards the heel of the foot.

·       Bursitis: Bursa is the fluid-filled clumps that aid in the smooth operation of joints. The bursa around your heel joint might become irritated, causing heel pain. You could also notice a bloated, inflamed region behind your heel.

·       Achilles tendonitis- Swelling of the Achilles tendon, the fibrous tissue just above the back of the heel that connects the heel bone to the muscles of the lower leg.

2. Your Heel Aches Even While at Rest

Typically, mild to severe cases of heel pain only cause discomfort if you move your feet. Once you relax the foot and the pressure on your foot is no more, the discomfort subsides.

Nevertheless, if your heel aches while sitting or lying down, you should consult a foot specialist. Your podiatrist will perform a brief manual and visual examination to check your foot’s condition. Additionally, your doctor may request one or more scans to look for internal injuries and deliver or prescribe therapy that permanently eliminates your foot discomfort.

3. You Have Serious or Ongoing Heel Pain

Intense heel inflammation and discomfort necessitate consultation with a podiatrist. Without therapy, the issue could worsen, often resulting in restricted mobility. Your foot specialist will assist ease your inflammation and pain, allowing you to resume your active lifestyle.

4. Other Symptoms accompany your Heel Pain

See a podiatrist immediately if your pain is associated with additional symptoms like tingling, numbness, or fever. Your podiatrist might propose a series of tests to rule out any underlying concerns, like an infection or diabetes.

How to Treat Heel Pain?

Based on the root cause of your heel discomfort, your podiatrist may offer rest and self-care measures like calf muscle stretching. Other possible therapies include ice therapy, strapping, offloading cushioning, and anti-inflammatory medications. Other treatment options to expect at Annapolis Foot and Ankle Center include:

·       Custom orthotics

·       Cortisone injections

·       Physical therapy

If your heel discomfort fails to respond to nonsurgical therapy, your podiatrist may suggest heel surgery.

What you believe to be basic heel discomfort might be something more serious. You can only be certain if you see your podiatrist or foot and ankle surgeon. At Annapolis Foot and Ankle Center, your doctor will determine the cause of your heel pain and develop a tailored care plan for you. Call the office near you or request an appointment online to receive your much-needed pain relief.