Are you experiencing heel pain in one foot? If yes, then your foot heel might get injured or develop conditions like plantar fasciitis that cause pain in your heel. This type of pain is not severe but needs early intervention to prevent complications. In this article, you will learn what causes heel pain in one foot and how to manage it. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.

Causes

Several causes can lead to heel pain in one foot, including:

1. Plantar fasciitis:

This is the most common condition that causes heel pain in one foot or sometimes in both feet. This happens when you overuse or stretch the plantar fascia too far. Plantar fascia is a strong, fibrous attachment from the heel to the ball of your foot and toes. It can stretch like a thick rubber band. It helps to connect the bones in your foot together and forms an arch on the bottom of your foot. Anything that damages the plantar fascia can lead to swelling and inflammation which causes pain during walking or using that foot.

2. Heel spurs:

Heel spurs are abnormal growths of bone on the bottom of your heel which can cause heel pain. This can occur due to wearing wrong-fitting shoes, abnormal walking, or posture, or even running. These spurs themselves don’t cause pain, but pain occurs with inflammation in the area during walking or standing. Many people have them and don’t experience pain, but some do. People with flat feet or high arches more commonly experience painful heel spurs.

3. Heel fracture:

This can happen when you get a high-impact injury like a fall or car accident. Your heel bone may not only break but also shatter. It causes symptoms such as heel pain, bruising, swelling, or trouble walking.

4. Morton’s neuroma:

Morton’s neuroma causes a thickening of the tissue around the nerves between the bases of the toes which causes pain, odd sensations, or numbness over the ball of your foot. Women develop it more often due to wearing high heels or tight shoes.

5. Stone bruise:

A stone bruise can occur when you get a deep bruise on the fat pad of the heel or ball of the foot due to an impactful injury or stepping on a hard object. You feel pain like you’re walking on a pebble which often goes away on its own.

6. Imbalanced Gait:

If you have some differences in arch height, foot structure, and muscle tightness your feet experience different impacts when you walk, run, or jump. Over time, the heavier wear and tear on one foot can lead to expedited arch trauma and breakdown in that foot.

Special considerations to manage heel pain on the foot

Usually, heel pain on one foot can be managed with at-home treatments. However, if your heel pain is caused by plantar fasciitis or Morton’s neuroma, then treatment may be given to both feet. Here are the special considerations you need to take to manage heel pain on one foot, including:

• Orthotic inserts: If you are going to use orthotic inserts then use them on both shoes not just one because wearing one may make your gait balanced, can cause imbalance strain, and impact your healthy foot. Orthotics can be beneficial for feet because they offer an extra layer of cushioning, support, and targeted acupressure.
• Night splints: You can use night splints that keep the damaged plantar fascia ligament in a gentle, flexed stretch all night long to stimulate blood circulation and keep the ligament flexible.
• Stretching and massage: Stretching can improve the strength and flexibility of damaged plantar fascia, along with surrounding muscles and ligaments that support the arch of the foot. Make sure you stretch both sets of heels, calves, and ankles to ensure that both feet and legs are at maximum capacity to resist injury and are able to bear weight and impact.
• Rest: Make sure you give both feet regular rest, even if only one foot has symptoms. Your instinct favors the injured foot or rest it more frequently; however, it can develop symptoms on a healthy foot as it absorbs extra stress and impact. So, take regular breaks from standing or walking to rest both of your feet and allow your body to heal and recover.

Whether you have heel pain in one or both feet, the most important thing is that you take your symptoms seriously and seek treatment as early as possible. With early intervention, you can prevent complications and reduce the healing time. Most types of heel pain get better with home remedies and rest for a certain period. If your heel pain doesn’t get better with home remedies, then seek medical help.

Need help with heel pain or any other foot problems, visit our podiatry clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!

Doral Health & Wellness employs Podiatrists with extensive education and expertise. Trauma to the tendons, muscles, and bones of the foot is quite common, as are infections secondary to systemic diseases. It’s not a promising idea to put off seeing Foot Doctor Brooklyn until you’re in a lot of pain. Our address is 1797 Pitkin Avenue, New York, NY 11212. To make an appointment, please call +1-347-384-5690 or send an email to info@doralhw.org.