Whether you’re working a long shift on your feet or making dinner for the family, heel pain can get in the way of daily life. In some cases, this persistent soreness may not be due to the way you’re standing, but the way your foot is shaped, or a degenerative disorder. If you’re eager to get to the bottom of your discomfort, see a foot doctor. The following guide on heel pain may prove helpful in the meantime. 

Why Do My Heels Hurt?

One of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, which involves a ligament connecting the heel bone to the toes. If you have particularly high or low arches, it’s easy for the plantar fascia to become inflamed, causing pain under the heel after extended periods of rest. If you practice gymnastics, skateboarding, or other activities that require jumping and landing, improper form may cause heel bursitis, inflammation of the fluid-filled bursa at the heel’s rear.

On the other hand, gradual, repetitive stress may be to blame for your heel pain. Heavy footsteps can wear down the heel pad, causing inflammation, while runners and manual laborers may develop stress fractures in their metatarsal bones. Some people even experience heel pain due to nerve issues — tarsal tunnel syndrome is marked by a pinched or compressed nerve in the back of the ankle or foot. As you age, heel pain may be caused by osteoporosis, systemic arthritis, or Achilles tendinosis, the gradual, yet consistent deterioration of the Achilles tendon.

What Are the Treatment Options?

If you’re tired of dealing with heel pain, make an appointment with a foot doctor who can diagnose the issue in person. Depending on the cause of your discomfort, they might start with conservative treatments, such as at-home ice or heat therapy, athletic taping to realign the foot, or the use of custom-designed shoe insoles. More severe cases may require pain-relieving injections, physical therapy, or night splints. If none of these solutions prove useful, your foot doctor may recommend surgery to remove the plantar fascia from the heel bone.

To find out why you’re experiencing heel pain, make an appointment with the foot doctor at Deer Creek Foot Care of O'Fallon, MO. Podiatrist Dr. Warren Trampe has 13 years of experience diagnosing and treating foot-related discomfort, whether you’re dealing with bunions or plantar fasciitis. Call this family-owned and -operated office at (636) 240-1127, or visit the website to learn more about their services.