The heel pain can be managed by conservative medical care in 90% of the cases. To manage the heel pain effectively, a combination of exercises and medications are usually used. Various treatment modes are available for heel pain and to improve the compliance for the selected treatment mode, patient education is important. The major aim for treatment is to reduce inflammation and stress on heel.
Causes of Heel Pain:
There are many causes of heel pain. The over use or injury of heel cause the pain varying from mild pain to disability. Causes include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Osteochondrosis
- Reactive arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Sprains and strains
- Fracture
When To Consult The Doctor:
If you develop a heel pain, first try to relief it by taking rest and doing exercises. If your pain become consistent for three to four weeks, now its time to consult the doctor or podiatrist. Go to your doctor if:
- The pain suddenly starts.
- It becomes severe.
- Redness in the heel.
- Swelling in your heel.
- The pain is so intense that makes it difficult to walk.
Best ways of relieving Heel Pain at home:
There are several treatment regimens that could effectively work. Impact reduction methods, exercises, pharmacological treatment, and surgery can be suggested depending on the progression of pain. But even with mediation, exercises are also advised. Here are discussed some quick ways to reduce and alleviate pain by applying precautions and doing regular specific exercises.
Impact reduction methods:
Your heel is the first part of the leg that had to bear impacts. To lessen the pain, these should be applied to decrease the effects of impact.
Reduce body weight:
For body weight reduction you can consult a nutritionist who will help you in this case.
Change the activity:
Athletes suffer most from heel pain and other leg problems. Modifications in the activity is required. Switch your high impact activity like running to low impact activities as cycling or swimming. This little alteration in training helps the athletes in heel pain relieving.
Use comfortable footwear:
The use of soft cushions or insoles and soft heeled footwear are of great benefit to alleviate the pain in early sufferers of heel pain. Can also use taping, arch support, and custom-moulded orthotics. Resting splints are also uses during sleep at night, but these must be wear-off before getting out of bed.
Use of anti-inflammatory medicines:
In early stages ice or iontophoresis or both may be helpful. Anti-inflammatory medications can be used but in initial stages of pain or consult to podiatrist if has already begun exercises.
Stretching and strengthening:
Several exercises of stretching and strengthening help in reducing heel pain as rolling your heel over a can or a tennis ball to massage and stretch plantar fascia. The exercises can be performed at home under a proper guide or may take help from physical therapist. Patient can apply toe curl exercises, picking up marbles from the toe.
In case of severe and constant pain, the immediate consultation from doctor is required. Dr. Sami is an experienced podiatrist in Dubai-UAE. He has an extensive experience in treating sports related injuries too.
