Your feet carry your body weight every day. However, your feet absorb approximately 3 – 6 times your body weight when you walk and sometimes 7 times your body weight when you run. Not only are your feet critical for your daily mobility, they act as your body’s foundation and provide stability and balance.
When you have pain in your feet, especially heel pain, it can be disabling and disrupt your daily life. The heel bone is the largest of the 26 bones in the human foot, and your heel is critical for you to stand, walk, climb stairs, and perform basic everyday tasks. When you have constant pain in your heel, you’re often unable to live your life the way you want.
The skilled podiatrist at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, Dr. Benjamin Weaver, understands the importance of getting heel pain diagnosed and treated right away, so you can return to pain-free activities. Dr. Weaver discusses the possible causes of heel pain and possible treatments.
What Causes Persistent Heel Pain
The constant pain you feel in your heel rarely develops without a reason. When you understand the cause of the pain, you can get a proper diagnosis from your podiatrist and effective treatment. Here, Dr. Weaver gives the most common causes of heel pain:
Plantar Fasciitis
Your heel bone and toes are connected by a thick band of tissue called the plantar fascia. When this tissue becomes irritated and inflamed, you may feel a stabbing pain in your heel—especially in the morning with your first steps. This is often a sign of plantar fasciitis.
There are many reasons people develop this foot condition. People who are athletic and place repetitive stress on their heels are more susceptible to developing it; those who increase their activity level suddenly can develop it; and those with flat feet or high arches place extra strain on the plantar fascia and may suffer from it.
Additionally, when the plantar fascia loses elasticity and the fat pad that cushions the heel becomes thinner, especially in older adults, there is an increased chance of inflammation.
For some, plantar fasciitis is an occupational risk. People who spend long hours on their feet, such as teachers, retail employees, healthcare workers, and factory workers, frequently develop heel pain after prolonged hours working on hard surfaces.
Heel Spurs
Heel spurs are calcium deposits that form bony protrusions on the underside of the heel bone. These spurs develop after long-term stress and strain on the foot. These deposits aren’t always painful, and many people have them without any symptoms at all. Those who do have pain often feel a sharp pain in the heel, a dull ache during the day, and inflammation and swelling at the front of the heel. They may have difficulty walking or participating in daily activities. Often, heel spurs are associated with plantar fasciitis when the fascia connecting your heel and toes is irritated and inflamed.
Heel spurs often develop due to overuse. This can happen if you run, jog, or stand for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces. Also, people who wear shoes that don’t offer adequate arch support or cushioning are more susceptible to developing heel spurs.
Achilles Tendinitis
This foot/ankle condition develops when the large tendon connecting your calf muscles to your heel bone becomes irritated, inflamed, and painful. This condition typically causes pain and stiffness along the tendon, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity. The discomfort usually worsens during and after physical activity.
Overuse injuries account for most cases of Achilles tendinitis. People who suddenly increase exercise intensity or duration without proper conditioning or training put excessive stress on this crucial tendon. Additionally, the Achilles tendon gets weaker when you age, and that makes it more susceptible to injury, even during moderate exercise.
It’s often the case that improper footwear contributes to Achilles injuries. The wrong shoes can contribute significantly to Achilles problems. Shoes that don’t have adequate support, or if you make a sudden change in heel height (like switching between high heels and flat shoes), can place additional strain on the tendon.
Treatment for Your Heel Pain
Dr. Weaver develops personalized treatment plans based on the specific cause of your heel pain, its severity, and your lifestyle needs. Treatment typically progresses from conservative approaches to more advanced interventions if needed.
Conservative Management Approaches
Dr. Weaver may recommend custom orthotics as a conservative approach to managing your heel pain. Unlike over-the-counter inserts, custom orthotics redistribute pressure away from painful areas while correcting some of the biomechanical issues that contribute to heel pain. He may also recommend physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles and improve flexibility. Your customized exercise plan might include specific stretches for the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon, along with strengthening exercises for the small muscles of your foot.
It's possible that Dr. Weaver may recommend modification to your activity level to reduce the strain on irritated and inflamed tissues. Activity modifications temporarily reduce strain on irritated tissues. Dr. Weaver might recommend limiting high-impact activities like running or jumping while you’re healing. He may also recommend changes to your footwear and/or recommend anti-inflammatory measures to help reduce pain and swelling, including over-the-counter medications and ice therapy.
Advanced Treatment Options
If Dr. Weaver feels you need more advanced treatment, he may recommend shockwave therapy for your heel pain—a non-invasive procedure that uses acoustic waves to increase blood flow to damaged tissues and promote natural healing processes. He may choose to administer anti-inflammatory medication directly to the source of pain or recommend night splints that gently stretch your plantar fascia and keep it from tightening overnight.
Contact Central Kansas Podiatry Associates for Your Heel Pain
Don't let heel pain limit your life. Contact Dr. Benjamin Weaver to schedule a comprehensive evaluation and take the first step toward pain-free walking. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most patients can return to their normal activities without surgical intervention. Read our testimonials to learn how we’ve helped other patients with their heel pain.