Posts for tag: Heel pain
Heel pain is such a common occurrence that diagnosing it can be difficult. However, if you are experiencing heel pain, you probably understand how quickly this condition can affect your quality of life. Luckily, your Nashville, TN podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville are here to help you beat your heel pain for good.
Where does heel pain come from?
There are countless conditions which could cause your heel pain. Many factors come into play, such as lifestyle, the amount of use, how active you are and family and medical history. Some common causes of heel pain include:
- plantar fasciitis
- heel spur
- bone spur
- Achilles tendinitis
- pinched nerves
- bursitis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- issues with the fat pads on your feet
- tendonitis
- fractures
- stress fractures
How can my podiatrist help?
Your Nashville, TN podiatrist uses several methods to diagnose your heel pain. A physical examination helps them spot any obvious abnormalities on the outside of the foot. To search for abnormalities inside of the foot, your doctor uses imaging processes like x-rays or MRIs. Occasionally, blood tests help your doctor determine if there are underlying conditions causing your pain. It is helpful to keep a log of your pain including where the pain is located, its severity on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain), how long it lasts and what makes it better or worse. Once they determine what is causing your heel pain, your doctor works with you to determine the best course of treatment for your situation and lifestyle.
How is heel pain treated?
Heel pain treatment varies depending on the patient. Often, simply resting the foot and staying off of it as much as possible allows the body to heal itself. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen and icing the foot helps to relieve heel pain at home. Physical therapy in the form of specialized stretches and exercises help loosen and strengthen the muscles which support your foot. Medications to reduce swelling and pain are prescribed when over-the-counter medications do not work. Your doctor may recommend injectable corticosteroid if oral medications do not provide results. Night splints and custom orthotics which fit inside the shoe help align the foot and ankle.
For more information on heel pain, please contact DPM and Dr. Timothy W. Bush, DPM at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville, TN. Call 615-662-6676 to speak with a friendly and knowledgeable associate about scheduling your foot exam today.
What Can I Do About My Heel Pain? Home remedies for heel pain and when to see your podiatrist.
Your heel has been hurting for days and now it’s so bad you can hardly walk. You have no idea what is causing the pain, not to mention how to feel better. It might be time to call in a professional like your podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville, Tennessee, your experts on heel pain.
Heel pain can be caused from bruising your heel, but the most common cause is plantar fasciitis, a condition caused when the thick band of tissue called the plantar fascia, running across your heel, becomes inflamed and painful. Plantar fasciitis is very common among runners, but it can also be caused from lifestyle factors like standing for long periods or being overweight.
- You can try some remedies at home to feel better such as:
- Icing your heel 3 times per day for 15 minutes
- Resting and avoiding putting weight on your feet
- Doing arch stretches
- Taking over-the-counter pain medications
Heel pain can limit your activities and become frustrating. You can help prevent heel pain by always wearing supportive shoes or heel supports in your existing shoes. If you have done everything you can to prevent heel pain and tried home remedies but still have annoying heel pain, you need to see a specialist.
You should call the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville, Tennessee if you experience any of the following:
- An injury to your heel
- Numbness in your heel
- Swelling around your heel
- Continuous heel pain even while you are resting
Take care of your heel pain, so your feet can take care of you. Call the podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville, Tennessee and find out how they can help you deal with heel pain. Don’t suffer, call today!
This is a beautiful time of year in Nashville, filled with cool mornings and evenings, and warm afternoons... Perfect for all of you runners that have suffered through the summer heat! Many runners begin to clock more miles and road/trail time during this transition from summer to fall... And with that inevitably comes the occasional foot pain/discomfort. While there are a barrage of foot ailments that result from increase running/activity, one seems to be more prevalent/cumbersome than the others: Plantar Fasciitis. At the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville, TN Dr. Timothy W. Bush see patients with heel pain several times a day every day. This is a problem that is extremely common and many suffer needlessly.
The plantar fascia is a long, flat, and broad ligament on the bottom of the foot that spans from the heel bone (calcaneus) all the way down to the toes. It helps in supporting the arch of the foot. During activity/running, the plantar fascia is constantly and repeatedly strained, which can lead to localized swelling/inflammation, discomfort, and sometimes small tears within the fascia itself. Certain factors, such as the following, put one at a higher risk for plantar fasciitis: flat feet (pes planus), a high arched foot (pes cavus), excessive pronation, running/standing on hard surfaces for long periods of time, weight gain, improper fitting/supportive shoe gear, and a tight Achilles' tendon/calf muscle.
Once plantar fasciitis begins to flare up, it can be difficult to arrest. However, there are a number of treatment options and tools to get you back on your feet and active/pain free. Dr. Timothy Bush and present their patients with several options which include, but are not limited to steroid injections, prefabricated or custom orthotics/arch supports, assistive stretching devices, stretching exercises, icing, and anti-inflammatory medications. Proper shoe gear and preparation/stretching before and after activity can also be quite beneficial, if done properly. So, if you find yourself with some nagging heel pain during this season, don't waste any time coming in to see Dr. Bush at the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville at Saint Thomas West Hospital (www.https://www.tnfootdoc.com/patients.html). We will get you back out there, on your feet, and enjoying this beautiful weather while it lasts! Call us at 615.662.6676 or send us an online appointment request: https://www.tnfootdoc.com/appointment.html
Is your first step out of bed painful? Do your heels hurt after you've been sitting for a while? If so, the likely cause of your heel pain is a condition known as plantar fascitis. This condition is caused by an inflammation of the plantar fascia, the strip of strong body tissue extending from the bottom of the heel bone to the ball of the foot. It's job is to hold the foot bones and joints in place. When it becomes stressed, the heels hurt during your first few steps in the morning, after any periods of rest, or long intervals of standing. Plantar fascitis can result in heel spurs, which are small pieces of bone that can grow on the bottom of your heel. The cause of plantar fascitis is not always known but common causes can be changes in activity or recent weight gain.
Some of the common treatments to relieve heel pain may include steroid injections, strapping, stretching exercises, and custom made orthotics. Your feet aren't supposed to hurt and there are ways to alleviate your discomfort. Please call the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville for an appointment.
P.S. Causes of heel pain other than plantar fascitis could include stress fractures, entrapped nerves, bruises, bursitis, arthritis, deterioration of the heel's fat pad, improper shoes, and weight gain.
"My heels kill me every time I get out of bed!!" Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville hears this nearly everyday. Heel pain is the #1 ailment we treat daily. While it isn't always plantar fasciitis, this condition is the most common cause for heel pain. For more information visit the heel pain information page on our website athttps://www.tnfootdoc.com/
