FOOT TIP - Heel Pain
If you are one of the many people working from home, there’s a good chance you haven’t been wearing shoes...possibly for weeks! For some people, that means very painful heels. Heel pain is a common problem, and patients usually complain of severe pain with the first few steps in the morning. It is often caused by injury to the plantar fascia (the band of tissue supporting the arch of the foot). When that tissue becomes inflamed, the pain can be debilitating. Treatment options vary:
-Stretching exercises can reduce strain along the plantar fascia. (See below)
-Supportive and well-cushioned shoes, as well as custom orthotics, can help provide support and allow for the injured tissue to heal.
-Avoid walking barefoot.
-Anti-inflammatory medications, icing the area, and rest help to reduce inflammation.
-For severe inflammation, steroid injections and oral steroids can be extremely effective.
-Other treatments include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and shock wave therapy.
-Surgery can be beneficial for severe cases.
For those suffering from heel pain, even the simplest of daily activities can be difficult. The good news is that treatment options are effective! Try the stretching exercises in our video, wear supportive shoes (yes, even at home), and if you’re still hurting give us a call. Not being able to walk is considered an urgent matter, and we are carefully seeing limited number of patients each day to help them get back on their feet.
