When To See Your Podiatrist For Heel Pain

Pain is your body's way of alerting you of an injury or an illness. Heel pain is a hint you need your Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center podiatrist. Drs. Tatiana Wellens and Maria Jaramillo-Dolan of Winter Haven, Davenport, and Lakeland, FL, are here to help.

What could be causing heel pain?

Heel pain is usually because of walking abnormalities that put stress on the heel bone and soft tissues attached to it. The stress may also be a result of:

• an injury while walking, running, or jumping on hard surfaces
• wearing poor or inappropriate footwear
• being overweight.

Heel pain can be debilitating and here are a few other causes:

• Heel Spurs is a bony growth on the heel bone. Your podiatrist uses an X-ray to see the protrusion. If there's no bone enlargement, the condition is a "heel spur syndrome." Heel spurs are a result of strain on the muscles and ligaments.
• Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of a fibrous connective tissue called the fascia. The inflammation is called plantar fasciitis and is common among athletes. Again, this condition, similar to heel spurs, is a result of straining the tissue over time. Be sure to rest your feet and speak with your podiatrist at any of their three locations: Winter Haven, Davenport, and Lakeland.

Other conditions causing heel pain are:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• An inflamed bursa (bursitis)
• Inflammation of the Achilles tendon
• Bone bruises
• Stress fractures

Prevention

• Wear shoes that fit well, especially if you're playing a sport or doing any kind of physical exercise
• Avoid high heels and exerting unnecessary pressure on the feet
• Warm-up and do stretches before exercises
• Lose weight if you're overweight

Need to speak with a podiatrist?

If you are interested in learning more about foot health care and how to deal with heel pain, call Dr. Wellens and Dr. Jaramillo of Call Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center in Winter Haven, Davenport, and Lakeland, FL at (863) 299-4551 for more information today.