If weight bearing on the heel causes a lot of discomforts then you are most likely to be suffering from heel pain. It mostly occurs under the foot or behind it. The pain can range from dull to disabling and make it difficult to move around freely. You will lose your balance and become more prone to injuries.
Many people take heel pain lightly and ignore the early symptoms although it will only get worse with time and become a serious issue.
Common Causes of Heel Pain
Plantar Fasciitis
This occurs due to the tearing of plantar fascia ligament on the bottom of the foot that causes inflammation and stiffness.
Achilles Tendinosis
This is a common overuse injury to Achilles tendon which attached the calf muscles to the heel bone.
Bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa, small fluid-filled sacs found near or between the joints is called Bursitis.
Stress Fracture
A repetitive stress or strenuous exercise can lead to stress fractures.
Sprains and Strains
These are very common injuries and can result from excessive physical activity.
How to relieve Heel Pain?
There are several treatment options that you can try at home without any hassles to ease the heel pain. But before adopting any treatment plan, do seek medical advice if not sure about the symptoms or how severe the problem is.
Apply ice packs
Put an ice pack on your affected heel for 15-20 minutes every day. This will help to reduce inflammation and pain quickly
Rest
Let your feet rest for a few days. Avoid walking or running. Doing this alone will help to get rid of most severe heel pain issues.
Go for physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can help you to learn some exercises that stretch the plantar fascia and strengthen the lower leg muscles.
Wear the right shoes
Shoes that provide appropriate support and fits well can help in avoiding the majority of the heel related problems, especially for athletes.
Weight control
Being overweight can put stress on the lower body and increase the risk of developing arthritis in joints. So keep a check on weight by following a healthy diet and exercising daily.
How to cure heel pain with surgery?
If heel pain persists after 6 to 12 months of home treatment, surgery may be necessary. Choosing the right surgical procedure will help to recover fast and stop the recurrence of heel pain. The surgery for heel pain involves cutting a part of the ligament from the heel bone to release stress and alleviate swelling.
Looking for a surgeon? Contact Dr M.S Narula who is the best joint replacement surgeon with over 18 years of experience. He offers minimally invasive and small incision techniques to provide state of the art care to his patients. With minimum blood loss and pain, the patient starts walking next day of surgery and goes home in 5 to 7days. Dr M.S. Narula also gives special emphasis on post-surgery rehabilitation with personalized care to every single patient.
Dr. MS Narula is currently the director of Narula Institute of Centre for Orthopedics Excellence (NICE) at Chandigarh City Hospital and Senior Consultant, Orthopedics-Spine and Joint Replacement, Apollo Clinic Sector 8-C Chandigarh. He is also a US certified fitness specialist and a consultant to various health and fitness centres in Chandigarh. He is also a sports injury specialist.
