We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Show Overview Your foot and ankle are made up of 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons. The heel is the largest bone in your foot. If you overuse or injure your heel, you may experience heel pain. This can range from mild to disabling. It’s possible you’ll need to have a doctor or podiatrist diagnose the cause if simple home remedies don’t ease the pain. There are several common causes of heel pain.
If you develop heel pain, you may first try some home remedies, such as rest, to ease your symptoms. If your heel pain doesn’t get better within two to three weeks, you should make an appointment with your doctor. You should call your doctor immediately if you experience the following:
If you develop heel pain, you can try these methods at home to ease your discomfort:
If these home care strategies don’t ease your pain, you need to see your doctor. They’ll perform a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms and when they began. Your doctor may also take an X-ray to determine the cause of your heel pain. Once your doctor knows what’s causing your pain, they’ll be able to provide you with the appropriate treatment. In many cases, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy. This can help to strengthen the muscles and tendons in your foot, which helps to prevent further injury. If your pain is severe, your doctor may provide you with anti-inflammatory medications. These medications can be injected into the foot or taken by mouth. Your doctor may also recommend that you support your foot as much as possible — either by taping the foot or by using special footwear devices. In very rare cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct the problem, but heel surgery often requires a long recovery time and may not always relieve your foot pain. Heel pain can be disabling and affect your daily movements. It may also change the way that you walk. If this happens, you may be more likely to lose your balance and fall, making you more prone to other injuries. It may not be possible to prevent all cases of heel pain, yet there are some easy steps that you can take to avoid injury to the heel and prevent pain:
What does pain in the back of your heel mean?The most common causes of heel pain are plantar fasciitis (bottom of the heel) and Achilles tendinitis (back of the heel). Causes of heel pain also include: Achilles tendinitis. Achilles tendon rupture.
What are 2 signs of Achilles tendonitis?The symptoms of achilles tendonitis include:. Pain in the heel and along the length of the tendon when walking or running.. Pain and stiffness in the area in the morning.. Pain in the achilles tendon when touched or moved.. Swelling and warmth in the heel or along the tendon.. Difficulty standing up on one toe.. How do I know if my heel pain is serious?See your doctor immediately if you have:
Severe pain and swelling near your heel. Inability to bend your foot downward, rise on your toes or walk normally. Heel pain with fever, numbness or tingling in your heel. Severe heel pain immediately after an injury.
Does Achilles tendonitis ever go away?With rest, Achilles tendonitis usually gets better within 6 weeks to a few months.
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