People sometimes ignore symptoms like heel pain. If the heels of your feet have only been hurting for less than a couple weeks, it’s possible that the heel pain really will go away on its own. However, once this symptom starts to last for longer than that, it might be time to consult with experts like Dr. Richard Goldstein and others. Your heels might be bothering you because of a podiatry problem that could only get worse with time.
Heel Spurs
On a basic level, heel spurs are literally deposits of calcium. They form underneath or around the bones of the heel. These spurs can be very painful, especially for people who are physically active. If you tend to wear high heels or tight shoes, the heel spurs might be particularly painful.
It’s important to note that your heel spurs won’t just fade away without treatment. Even if you decide to wear very different shoes or put less strain on your feet, the heel spurs will stay. While tight shoes can contribute to the development of heel spurs in the first place, these calcium deposits can also be related to the inflammation of the plantar fascia and similar conditions.
Plantar Fascia Inflammation
The tissue that helps to connect the toes and heel bone can become inflamed relatively easily because of the intense amount of pressure that it absorbs in just a normal day. People also vary in terms of what is normal for them. When you’re suffering from this sort of inflammation, your heels might be constantly throbbing with pain every time you try to walk.
One of the frustrating aspects of treating plantar fascia inflammation is the fact that you’ll often need to walk more in order to encourage the healing process. However, it might hurt so much to walk that you’ll have a difficult time completing this step. Fortunately, podiatry experts can make this part easier as well, and they’ll put together a broader treatment plan if necessary.
Medication and Shoe Inserts
For some patients, treating the inflammation of the plantar fascia could be relatively simple. You might need custom-made shoe inserts or supports that will help you walk more easily, giving the body time to heal.
If your heel pain is much more pronounced, your podiatrist might prescribe you medication that has anti-inflammatory properties. There are plenty of different types of medication that can help with the pain temporarily as the heel problems are resolved.
In some severe cases, you might need minor forms of surgery as a heel pain patient. One of the more widely used surgical procedures involves partly cutting the plantar fascia itself. The ligament won’t be as tight or as inflamed as a result.
Usually, your podiatrist will only recommend any sort of surgical procedure if you aren’t responding to many of the other treatments that are available. Most non-surgical treatments should work effectively for the majority of patients.
You might have to modify your lifestyle somewhat in order to maintain those results. Patients who have had heel spurs and plantar fascia inflammation sometimes have to stick to low-impact forms of exercise, even after they recover. However, heel pain is not something that you’ll just have to learn to accept. It’s usually completely treatable, and there’s no need to wait for things to improve independently.
