Don’t Ignore Your Heel Pain

When experiencing heel pain, some people keep on with the activities which seem to cause it. Does this describe you? Don’t ignore sore, stiff, painful heels. Instead, see your podiatrist in Butte and Bozeman, MT, Dr. Dallin Greene or Dr. Nathan Judd, at Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute. The most common reason for heel pain is an inflammatory condition called plantar fasciitis, and it can be treated successfully.

What is plantar fasciitis?

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons says plantar fasciitis causes most heel pain, particularly in people who wear poorly supportive shoes, are overweight, are on their feet continually, or who are sports enthusiasts involved in a lot of running and jumping. The broad band of connective tissue between the heel bone and the base of the toes becomes stressed, overstretched, and irritated. Without proper rest and support, heel pain and stiffness begins in the morning and may continue through the day.

Solving heel pain

Many foot and ankle conditions, including heel pain, are more easily alleviated then you may think. For instance, plantar fasciitis rarely requires surgery, but rather, common sense interventions from your Butte and Bozeman podiatrist help tremendously.

When you come to Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute, Dr. Greene or Dr. Judd will look at your foot and watch you walk. He looks for areas of tenderness, redness, and swelling and also how you place your feet on the floor as you ambulate.

Many people with heel pain also have heel spurs, tiny benign projections off the front of the calcaneus bone. So, the foot doctor likely will take X-rays or other imaging to see what’s going on inside your foot. Afterwards, you’ll discuss your customized treatment plan.

Treatment for heel pain often includes:

• Stretching exercises (particularly in the morning)
• A change in shoes
• Shoe inserts, or orthotics, custom-made to correct gait problems or to support flat feet or high arches
• Injections of corticosteroids
• Physical therapy
• Shoe padding
• Night splints to stretch the plantar fascia

Get some relief

Heel pain tends to progress; so if you’re in pain, come see the friendly team at Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute in Butte and Bozeman, MT. Dr. Greene and Dr. Judd will get you feeling better and keep you active, too. Please call (406) 782-2278.