A healthy body starts with healthy, happy feet. After all, your feet have to do a lot of heavy lifting, providing your body with a sturdy foundation and support to walk, run, and climb stairs. Of course, many people will deal with biomechanical problems in their feet due to flat feet, high arches, or other structural abnormalities. The good news is that something as simple as custom orthotics can provide your feet with the support they need to both prevent and manage foot and leg pain and other problems.

• Leg, hip, or back pain
• Bursitis
• Flat feet
• High arches
• Tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Bunions
• Diabetes
• Hammertoes
• Certain injuries to the foot or ankle

Simple daily activities, such as walking or standing for extended periods, can be challenging when you are dealing with heel pain. Without treatment, the pain may only worsen with time. The good news is many effective treatments are available that can provide relief from heel pain. The experienced podiatrists at Family Foot & Ankle Care in Chandler AZ can help with your heel pain by recommending specific treatment options.

Common Causes of Heel Pain

Several factors can lead to the development of heel pain. Regularly performing repetitive motions that put stress on the feet is one cause of heel pain. Sustaining a foot injury can also result in heel pain. Other potential causes include stress fractures, tendonitis, arthritis, and heel spurs. These are all common causes of heel pain, but one of the most common is a foot condition known as plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the band of tissues along the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed. These tissues are known as the plantar fascia and connect the heel bone to the toes. When these tissues are irritated, the pain is felt at the bottom of the heel. For many people with plantar fasciitis, the pain worsens over time without treatment.

People with either extremely high arches or flat feet tend to be at risk for development plantar fasciitis. Activities that put a lot of stress on the heels, such as long-distance running or certain types of dancing, can also lead to the development of plantar fasciitis. Obesity is another risk factor for developing plantar fasciitis and heel pain. If you're worried you have this condition, talk to your heel pain Chandler specialist today.

Treatments Options

Minor heel pain is often treated at home by resting the foot, icing the heel area, and limiting physical activity for a while. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce inflammation of the plantar fascia tissues and alleviate any pain or discomfort. Once the heel pain has subsided, wearing shoes that provide enough support and cushioning can help prevent the pain from returning.

If your heel pain is chronic or severe, it is best to seek medical treatment from your heel pain Chandler provider. At our podiatry office, heel pain is treated through several methods. One of our skilled podiatrists can recommend the right treatment option based on the cause and severity of your heel pain. Treatments for heel pain include:

• Padding and Strapping
• Custom Orthotics
• Walking Cast
• Night Splint
• Physical Therapy
• Corticosteroids

Foot surgery is sometimes needed in the most serious cases when other methods cannot resolve the root problem. For instance, structural problems in the foot that are causing heel pain are corrected through surgical intervention. As another example, heel spurs, which are calcium deposits that develop on the bottom of the heel, can be a source of pain. Removing heel spurs through surgery provides long-lasting relief from the pain and discomfort they were causing.

Whatever the cause of your heel pain, there are treatment options that can help. Schedule an appointment with one of our heel pain Chandler podiatrists to discuss the different options for treating your heel pain by calling Family Foot & Ankle Care in Chandler at (480) 732-0033.

If you’re dealing with a bunion then you know that this pain is no joke. If you’re dealing with a throbbing, aching pain at the base of your big toe then you could very well be dealing with a bunion. This problem, a common complaint among women, usually develops gradually over many years so many people don’t even realize that they have a bunion until symptoms start to appear. While a bunion will not go away without surgery, the good news is that a podiatrist is usually all you need to manage your symptoms without resorting to surgery. Here are some ways to effectively manage your bunions:

• Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to help with pain and swelling
• Ice the bunion for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day to also alleviate pain and swelling (conversely, you may choose to soak your bunion in warm water to ease symptoms)
• Consider getting prescription orthotics (shoe inserts) to place within your shoes to take the pressure off the deformed joint and to reduce pain with walking or standing
• Wear a night splint, which will straighten out the big toe while you sleep to reduce morning pain and stiffness
• Only wear shoes that have a wide toe box that doesn’t put pressure on the bunion. Avoid high heels and shoes with pointed toes.
• Perform stretching exercises every day to alleviate stiffness and to improve mobility and range of motion within the feet
• Apply a non-medicated pad over the bunion before putting on shoes to prevent friction and the formation of a callus

Are you wondering whether you should be turning to a podiatrist for care?

• Ingrown toenails
• Chronic heel pain
• A broken foot or ankle
• Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in the feet
• Severe pain
• Difficulty bearing weight on a foot or ankle
• A visible foot deformity
• Signs of infection (e.g. redness; swelling; fever)
• An ulcer or open wound