Heel pain is quite a common foot problem. It usually affects the back or the underside of the foot. Although it is usually not a symptom of a serious underlying condition, the pain can significantly interfere with your day-to-day activities. For instance, it can affect your ability to stand for a long duration, walk, or even exercise. The good news is that, depending on its cause, heel pain can be managed in a number of ways, such as something as simple as wearing corrective shoe insoles. Below is a discussion of the important things that you should know about heel pain in New York.
What Causes Heel Pain?
Heel pain can result from a number of issues. Some of the most common causes of heel pain include:
Severs Disease
This is a common cause of heel pain among teenage and child athletes. It is caused by the overuse of the developing heel bone.
Plantar Fasciitis
This problem is usually associated with the inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a band of ligament that connects the front of the foot to the heel bone. When it is overstretched or put under excess pressure, its tissues can become inflamed and consequently cause heel pain.
Heel Bursitis
Heel bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa. Bursa is a fibrous sac of fluid found at the back of the heel. The problems can occur when a person lands in an awkward manner. In some cases, it occurs as a result of pressure from footwear.
Heel Bumps
This issue is quite common in teenagers. It occurs when a heel bone that is not fully mature is rubbed excessively leading to the formation of excessive bone. It is most common among people with a flat foot.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
This is a problem that occurs when the nerve found at the back of the foot is compressed. This can happen in the foot or the ankle, but either way, it can cause serious heel pain.
Treatment for Heel Pain
In most cases, patients recover from heel pain after a few months of conservative treatments. Some common conservative treatments for heel pain include corticosteroid injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammation drugs, physical therapy, athletic tapings, and orthotics. In some cases, you have to work on losing weight to minimize the amount of pressure that you are putting on your feet. If all the conservative treatments for heel pain fail to offer adequate relief, then you may have to go for a surgical procedure.
The Bottom Line
Overall, it is apparent that heel pain is quite a common foot problem, and in some cases, it can be debilitating. The good news is that in most cases, with the assistance of a reliable podiatrist, it can be treated using conservative methods such as NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and physical therapy. If conservative treatments fail, a good podiatrist should be able to offer surgical solutions. If you are looking for a reliable podiatrist to help you solve foot pain problems in Midtown, New York, NY, City Podiatry is an excellent facility to consider.
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