Learn when to continue exercising and when to rest
Many people who exercise regularly experience heel pain at some point. As a podiatrist in Houston who specializes in sports medicine and running injuries, I understand how frustrating it is to have to discontinue an exercise program, especially if you are training to achieve a specific goal. I do not automatically stop you from exercising if you come to my practice with heel pain.
While conservative treatment for heel pain is effective in the majority of cases, if the condition persists, there are other more advanced options. Even though they are aggressive, they are less invasive than surgery. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is the most common and widely available.
Treating the inflammation that causes heel pain is part of the solution. Treatment of the mechanical reasons of heel pain is also critical. The inflammation due to the unstable mechanics does not resolve on its own. The best technique to stabilize foot function and address biomechanical instability is with a custom orthotic.
The development of a heel spur is a result of the plantar fascia’s strain on the heel bone. In most situations, a heel spur is not the source of heel pain, despite its dramatic appearance on an x-ray. The inflammation where the plantar fascia joins to the heel is frequently the source of pain. Heel pain can also be caused by the heel spur itself.
I usually warn my patients that surgery is a last resort, and heel spur surgery is no exception. Surgery is required in less than 5% of heel pain patients, according to the expertise of the foot doctor in Houston. Outside of surgery, there are several options for treating heel pain.
Patients in my Houston podiatry practice frequently use heel cups, pads, or cushions before seeing me for the first time. Take a peek at the options on any pharmacy’s foot care aisle to see how popular they are! However, they frequently fail to alleviate the discomfort.
