Have you been wondering if you should call your Elko, NV, podiatrist, Dr. John Patton, about your heel pain? Unfortunately, it's not always easy to tell when heel pain is more than just a passing problem.
5 reasons to call the foot doctor
It's a good idea to make that call if you're experiencing any of these issues.
- Trouble standing or walking: Heel pain may affect your ability to walk or stand easily. You may notice that the pain is most intense when you're standing still.
- Severe symptoms after an injury: If you're in constant, severe pain or you noticed that your foot or ankle is deformed, get in touch with your foot doctor immediately.
- Worsening pain: Resting your foot and applying ice or heat often help heel pain improve. If your pain is worsening, it's time to talk to your podiatrist at the Elko, NV, podiatry office.
- Recurrent Pain: If your heel pain never seems to go away or only gets better for a few weeks before starting again, a visit to the foot doctor can help you determine why your injury or condition isn't healing.
- No improvement after a few weeks: If you've been staying off your feet for the last week or two, yet still have the same symptoms, you'll need to see the foot doctor. Ignoring your symptoms could increase the chances that your pain will become chronic.
Heel pain causes
Heel pain has many potential causes. A fall or jump could have fractured a bone, or the long hours you spend standing at work might have inflamed the plantar fascia on the bottom of your foot. Plantar fasciitis pain is usually worse first thing in the morning or after you've been inactive for a while.
Does the back of your heel hurt? You may have retrocalcaneal bursitis or an Achilles tendon injury. Like all tendons, the Achilles tendon becomes stiffer with age and more prone to inflammation and tearing. If you don't receive treatment and continue your regular activities despite the pain, the inflamed tendon could eventually tear or rupture.
Heel pain can also be caused by bruises on the bottom of your heel, fissures in the skin of the heel, bone spurs, or overuse injuries.
Are you struggling with heel pain? Call your podiatrist in Elko, NV, Dr. Patton, at (775) 753-4044 to schedule an appointment.