If you are suffering from a sore heel – whether it has just appeared or you have been experiencing pain for a while – here’s what you need to do to reduce the pain and get back to your normal routine.
What Causes A Sore Heel?
The most common causes of heel pain are too much exercise or wearing shoes that are too tight. Here are some of the most frequently occurring conditions that lead to sore heels:
- Plantar fasciitis – this occurs when too much pressure on your feet damages the plantar fascia ligament. This can result in a sharp pain between your arch and heel, which feels worse when you start walking.
- Fracture – this is a broken bone. Symptoms would include sudden, sharp pain, swelling and difficulty walking.
- Achilles tendonitis – this is when the tendon that attaches the calf muscles to the heel becomes painful, usually due to overuse. This results in pain in the ankle and heel.
- Bursitis – bursae are fluid-filled sacs that surround areas where tendons, skin and muscle tissues meet bones. This condition causes redness and swelling, and dull aching pain.
How To Ease Heel Pain At Home
If you have a sore heel, you can try these things at home to ease your symptoms:
- Rest your heel as much as you can, and try to keep it raised
- Put an ice pack on your heel for 20 minutes every three hours
- Wear comfortable shoes with plenty of cushioning on the heel
- Try regular gentle stretching exercises
You should also avoid standing or walking for long periods of time, and don’t wear high heels or tight shoes.
When You Should Seek Urgent Treatment…
If any of these apply to you, you should seek medical help immediately because they might be signs of a broken bone:
- You have severe pain
- You feel faint, dizzy or sick from the pain
- You are not able to walk
- You heard a snap, popping or grinding noise when the injury occurred
- Your foot or ankle is at an odd angle
When To See A Podiatrist
If you have a sore heel, you may well be concerned that you are not treating it properly at home. Equally, perhaps it has been some time and your symptoms don’t seem to be getting better. If you have any worries at all, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist.
Podiatrists are medical professionals trained in the treatment of feet and the lower limbs. They will be able to diagnose your sore heel and help you on your way to recovery.
You can book an appointment here at Northwich Foot Clinic where we provide expert podiatry services to the people of Cheshire and beyond. We will be happy to help you with your heel pain.
