Heel Pain
What Is Heel Pain?
Heel pain is a very common problem that can affect anyone, from children to active adults and seniors. It often feels like a sharp or dull ache in the back or underside of your heel and can make everyday activities like walking, running, or standing uncomfortable.
Heel pain is usually caused by stress or strain on the bones, tissues, or tendons in your foot. It might start slowly and get worse over time, or it can appear suddenly after an injury or overuse. The good news is that most cases of heel pain can be successfully treated with the right care whether you are in Wagga or Wodonga.
What Causes Heel Pain?
Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis is the leading cause of heel pain. It happens when the plantar fascia, a strong band of tissue connecting your heel to the front of your foot, becomes inflamed.
Achilles Tendinopathy: This affects the Achilles tendon, the strong band of tissue connecting your calf muscles to your heel. Overuse, such as from running or jumping, can lead to tiny tears or inflammation in the tendon.
Heel Spurs: A heel spur is a small, bony growth that can develop on the bottom of the heel bone. It’s often linked to plantar fasciitis and long-term stress on the foot.
Other Causes Of Heel Pain
Sever’s Disease: Occurs when the growth plate at the back of the heel becomes irritated due to repetitive stress. Usually commonly seen in active children.
Bursitis: Swelling of small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the heel.
Stress Fractures: Small cracks in the heel bone from repetitive impact, often seen in athletes.
Nerve Compression: Conditions like tarsal tunnel syndrome can cause heel pain that’s more burning or tingling in nature.
How Do We Treat Heel Pain?
Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are one of the most effective tools for managing heel pain. These are specially designed insoles that slip into your shoes to provide support and cushioning where your feet need it most.
How They Work: Orthotics help correct the way your foot moves, reducing load and strain on the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and other foot structures.
Why They’re Effective: Unlike store-bought insoles, our orthotics are custom-made using advanced 3D scanning and printing technology, ensuring a perfect fit for your unique foot shape and condition.
Shockwave Therapy
For persistent heel pain that doesn’t respond to other treatments, shockwave therapy is an advanced, non-invasive option.
What It Does: Shockwaves stimulate blood flow, speed up healing, and reduce inflammation in painful areas.
Who It’s For: It’s especially effective for chronic plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinopathy.
Quick and Convenient: Sessions take just 15-20 minutes, and you can go about your day afterward.
Footwear Advice and Modifications
Sometimes, the wrong shoes are the biggest culprits behind heel pain. Tight, flat, or unsupportive shoes can strain your feet increasing the load on soft tissue structures in your feet.
Our Approach: We’ll assess your current footwear and recommend shoes with proper arch support, cushioning, and stability.
Did You Know? Even small changes, like adding supportive insoles to your existing shoes, can make a big difference.
Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
Your muscles and tendons play a big role in supporting your feet. Weak or tight muscles can add strain to your heels.
Our Plan for You: We’ll create a simple exercise program to stretch tight areas (like your calves and plantar fascia) and strengthen weak ones (like the small muscles in your feet).
Why It Helps: Regular exercises improve flexibility and strength, reducing pain and preventing future problems.
Recovery depends on the cause and severity of your pain. With proper treatment, most people see significant improvement within weeks, but chronic cases may take longer.
It’s best to avoid high-impact activities that worsen your symptoms. Low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling are great alternatives.
Most heel pain can be treated without surgery. In rare cases, surgery might be considered if other treatments don’t work.
Absolutely! Custom orthotics are tailored to your feet, providing you with unmatched support and comfort compared to over-the-counter insoles. Our team goes the extra mile using the latest technology to make them more accurate and effective.
Sometimes yes, depending on the underlying cause of the heel pain – however your podiatrist will formulate a long term plan for you to help prevent this from occurring.
Ready To Say Goodbye To Heel Pain?
Heel pain often improves with conservative treatment within 6-12 weeks. Persistent or chronic cases may require more intensive interventions, but the prognosis is generally good with appropriate care. Early treatment and preventive measures can reduce the risk of recurrence. For more information book an appointment with one of our expert podiatrists today.