Heel pain can impact your daily life
you will need to find relief as soon as possible. There are different treatment options available depending on your symptoms and injuries. Always consult with a heel pain doctor Scottsdale for a plan tailored to you and your heel injury.
Common Heel Injuries & Symptoms
There are many heel injuries that can cause pain, but these three are the top heel injuries and their symptoms.
Plantar Fasciitis
This is when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. The plantar fascia is the ligament that runs from the heel bone to the top of the foot. People with high or low arches often experience plantar fasciitis. When the ligament is stretched too far, the tissue then becomes inflamed causing pain under the foot, especially after long periods of rest, such as in the morning. Other symptoms include a stabbing or painful sensation in the heel or along the foot that often worsens over time. Common causes on plantar fasciitis include repetitive stress, excessive tension, inflammation, and irritation.
Heel Bursitis
Heel bursitis is the inflammation of the back of the heel, known as the bursa. This pain is usually caused by landing on the heel wrong or pressure on the heel from shoes. The pain occurs deep in the heel and the back of heel. At times, you could even experience swelling in the Achilles tendon. This condition usually progresses as the day goes on. Symptoms of heel bursitis include swelling, inflammation and arthritis.
Achilles Tendonitis
This chronic condition is the degeneration of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon that runs from the calf muscles to the heel bone. Minor tears in the tendon cause issues where the Achilles tendon is unable to heal and repair. The tendon becomes thick, weak and painful with symptoms including a burning and painful sensation in the heel as well as tenderness. This is caused by stress, overuse and often times the lack of stretching before physical activity. The tendon can also tear, resulting in a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Treatment Options Available
To find relief from heel pain, you can always try to do it on your own with plenty of rest, icing the area, elevating the foot, and stretching. However, it is important to meet with a podiatrist to find out the right treatment for your condition. Your doctor could prescribe medication, special custom foot orthotics or physical therapy.
When your condition is severe enough, you may need additional treatment such as non-surgical procedures or even surgery. Keep in mind that surgery can be a risky treatment option that will usually require you to be off of your feet for at least a few weeks. There are non-surgical options available that are actually more affordable and require less recovery time. Such treatment options such as stem cell therapy are simple procedures that will produce cartilage, helping to relieve pain and discomfort. Shockwave Therapy is another treatment option, with each session taking only about 5 to 10 minutes. Minimal maintenance is needed after shockwave therapy and the recovery time is much faster than other treatment methods. There are virtually no risks or side effects with shockwave therapy and the results are often noticed immediately. In fact, over 80 percent of patients have reported being pain-free after just 4 weeks. PRP injection is another popular option and is extremely effective for heel injuries. This promotes natural healing of the tissue and is a much easier process than surgery, delivering remarkable results.
The Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona Can Help
At the Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona, we offer specialized treatments such as non-surgical options for common heel injuries. To find relief from heel pain, the Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona offers stem cell treatments, shock wave therapy, and platelet rich plasma treatments using only the finest medical and surgical care. Our staff at the Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona will provide you with the finest foot and ankle care to get you back on your feet.
