Do you wake up in the morning with aching heels? Do you experience heel pain after exercise? No matter when you experience it, heel pain is not something you want in your daily life! It can disrupt your daily routines and make every step miserable, which is why many seek help from our podiatrists at San Antonio Podiatry Associates to treat their heel pain. Getting to the root cause of your heel pain is an important first step in addressing your heel pain.
What could be causing your heel pain?
- Plantar fasciitis - Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, where the plantar fascia, a thick ligament linking your heel bone to your toes, become overworked or injured. Most common symptoms including sharp pain in the morning upon waking up, as well as after long periods of walking or rest. Plantar fasciitis can be exacerbated by intense activities like running or sports, as well as wearing unsupportive shoes, standing long periods of time, and obesity.
- Heel spurs - If you have plantar fasciitis, your risk of developing heel spurs increases too. Heel spurs are bony growths under the heel bone where it attaches to the plantar fascia. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and calcification that forms from repeated stress on the area.
- Achilles tendonitis - The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body and connects your calf muscle to your heel bone, and plays a key role in the pushing off motion of your foot. When the tendon becomes overused or injured, Achilles tendinitis can form. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, and stiffness in the back of your ankle, which can make walking and other physical activities difficult. It is a common sports injury, stemming from athletes who push themselves too hard, or not stretching adequately, or wearing ill-fitting shoes.
- Heel fissures - Unlike the other conditions that affect the heel internally, heel fissures affect the outer skin. The skin becomes dry, thick, and painfully cracked. Heel fissures typically develop in people who wear open-heeled shoes or have other skin conditions like eczema.
A podiatrist can help determine the cause of your heel pain
When you experience heel pain, it can be frustrating when you don’t know why. Fortunately, at San Antonio Podiatry Associates, experienced, board-certified podiatrists can help determine the cause of your heel pain. After a thorough assessment, they can offer tailored treatments so you can get back to pain-free days! Whether you’re dealing with heel pain, bunions, toenail fungus, or sports injuries, we can provide high-quality, compassionate podiatric care.
Contact any of our offices in the San Antonio area by calling 210-899-1026 or booking an appointment online today!
