Do Your Heels Need Healing?

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Have your heels been hurting lately? If you spent your summer going barefoot, wearing flip flops, or standing in long lines at amusement parks, it may have taken a toll on your heels! Heel pain can be caused by heel fissures, calluses, tendonitis , or arthritis. However, wearing shoes that lack support or being on your feet for long periods of time can also lead to a condition called Plantar Fasciitis. This is the term commonly used to refer to heel and arch pain traced to an inflammation on the bottom of the foot. Overpronation can also be a cause of Plantar Fasciitis. As the foot rolls inward excessively when walking, it flattens the foot, lengthens the arch, and puts added tension on the plantar fascia. Over time, this causes inflammation.

SYMPTOMS:

Pain that is worse in the morning or after sitting for a while
Pain that gets worse over time
Swelling or pain on the bottom of the heel
Pain in the arch of the foot

A few minutes of walking helps many people with Plantar Fasciitis, because the walk stretches the fascia. For some, the pain might get better and then return after a day they have spent more time on their feet.

TREATMENT: Here are some things you can do to help ease the pain of Plantar Fasciitis:

Stretching- Exercises that stretch the calf muscle can help with the pain and the recovery.
Wear Shoes- Wearing shoes with good arch support can reduce the stress on your heel.
Ice- An ice pack on your heel for 20 minutes a day can help with the inflammation. Use a thin towel so the ice is not directly on the heel.
Limit Activities- Let your heel rest a bit from physical activity.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications- Ibuprofen can help ease the pain and decrease inflammation.

In some cases, other treatments such as orthotics, splints, injections, and physical therapy may need to be used. Contact Dr. Kylin Kovac to properly diagnose your foot or ankle problem, and help determine the right treatment for you. Dr. Kovac is highly qualified and ready to help get you back on your feet!

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