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Heel Pain

Your feet are pretty incredible. After all, from hiking mountainous trails to simply climbing upstairs, your feet are always hard at work to keep you moving. If you walk the recommended 10,000 steps each day you are putting around 1.8 million pounds of force on your feet throughout the day. If you are an avid runner or hiker, then you can imagine that the amount of force is only increased. So, it’s not too surprising that one of the most common complaints we get from our patients is about heel pain.

The problem with heel pain is that most people ignore the problem in the very beginning. They may ease up on certain activities but hope the problem just goes away on its own. It’s important that you listen to your feet and take time off to fully heal. While there are many causes for heel pain the two most common causes are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. You can usually tell the difference between the two based on where the pain is located (plantar fasciitis pain is located at the bottom of the heel while Achilles tendonitis pain is usually above the heel bone).

If you are dealing with heel pain, you may be able to manage symptoms without having to turn to a podiatrist. It’s important to rest as much as possible and to avoid any high-impact activities until the pain has fully subsided. As with most minor injuries, most people choose to follow the RICE method (Rest, ice, compression and elevation) when treating their heel pain.

When to See a Podiatrist

Of course, it’s also important to know when you should turn to a qualified medical professional for care. It may be time to call a podiatrist if,

  • You are dealing with severe heel pain
  • Your heel pain is accompanied by severe swelling
  • Your heel pain limits mobility
  • You can’t bend your foot or stand on your tiptoes because of pain
  • You notice numbness or tingling in the heel
  • Your heel pain is accompanied by a fever
  • Your heel pain isn’t getting better after a week of rest and home care
  • Your heel pain symptoms are getting worse despite rest and home care
  • You aren’t sure what’s causing your heel pain or you’ve never had heel pain before
  • You have diabetes

If you are dealing with persistent or recurring heel pain in Paoli or Philadelphia, PA, then it’s time to turn to the foot and ankle experts for care. Call Paoli and Center City FootCare Centers today.

Call the Philadelphia office at (215) 545-0388, and the Paoli location by calling (610) 647-0400.
We are conveniently located in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, PA.