Why does heel pain mean

Conservative treatment methods include resting, icing the affected area, and stretching. You may consider physical therapy to learn the appropriate exercises for stretching the affected area and building up supporting muscles. A night splint or arch support may also be recommended to aid recovery. If these measures do not seem to work, your doctor may recommend steroid injections or shockwave therapy. Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive procedure that uses mechanical high energy sound waves to target the affected area and stimulate healing.

Patients can expect pain reduction and improvement in functionality of the affected area after the treatment. If the pain is severe and both conservative and non-invasive treatments are ineffective, surgery may be required. The exact cause of heel pain may be difficult to identify as the different conditions may have similar and overlapping symptoms. Consult a doctor if you observe any of the following symptoms:. Receiving prompt treatment can aid recovery and prevent complications, allowing you to resume your daily activities.

Long-term instability of the ankle can lead to bothersome symptoms and impair your quality of life. Find out when surgery is needed to treat this condition. As with any vigorous contact sport, playing soccer puts you at risk of various injuries. Any form of sports injury should not be taken lightly. Running is a great way to keep fit, but it may also lead to overuse injuries. Dr Kannan Kaliyaperumal tells us about 3 common injuries experienced by runners and how to avoid them.

If you only exercise on the weekends, it is important to be aware of injuries that could happen due to sudden bursts of physical activity. Running is a very common exercise, but overdoing it can cause some serious injuries, says Dr Kevin Lee. Learn how to identify the difference among the three so you can provide the right treatment. Sports injuries can happen to anyone, but they can be easily avoided. Here are 9 common injuries and how they can be prevented.

Hip arthritis causes pain and stiffness, making it hard to do everyday activities like walking and bending over. Learn about its symptoms and causes, as well as treatment options. A torn knee meniscus can greatly impair your everyday movement. It is important to recognise the signs and seek appropriate treatment. Experiencing pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms or legs, and even pain in your neck or lower back?

You may have a herniated disc. While many find relief in non-surgical options, surgery may be necessary if other methods are ineffective. Many of us wear shoes that are completely wrong for our feet. Find out how you can be kinder to your feet with your shoe choices. Dr Andrew Dutton explains why.

Dr Gowreeson Thevendran, orthopaedic surgeon, gives a medical perspective on how to speed up recovery after a sports injury. Dr Andrew Dutton, orthopaedic surgeon, explains what to do if you or someone around you has a fracture. More young, active Singaporeans are suffering from osteoarthritis in their knees.

Find out the different types of knee replacements that can help with your knee problems. Back injury, age and diseases can lead to severe back and leg pain.

You may find relief in decompression laminectomy. Many forms of exercise require one to repeatedly strain a certain part of your body. Inadequate caution may cause inflammation to your body and result in a sport injury. Take precautions to prevent these painful conditions. Professional athletes collect a score of injuries during their career. Singapore Slinger Wong Wei Long shares how he minimises sports injuries on the job.

When you are past the age of 40, your body tends to react differently to exercise. Here are some tips on avoiding injury when playing sports after Not everyone who participates in sports knows about the risks involved — until they get hurt.

Here are the top 5 serious sports injuries and how they can be treated. Here are 6 exercises that can provide you with some much-needed relief. Your child will have flat feet as a toddler but as they grow, their feet should develop a normal arch.

Gym goers new to spin classes and CrossFit, even those who may be super fit, can be at risk of rhabdomyolysis due to over-exertion from exercise. Spinal arthritis is a common cause of lower back pain, especially in the elderly. Familiarise yourself with the signs and symptoms of the condition to better recognise it. There are many possible causes of knee pain. The most common though, are osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, and cartilage tears.

Spinal stenosis can cause both numbness and pain in the arms and legs. Find out if you may be suffering from this condition. The plantar fascia tears and bleeds at the heel and, over time, these injuries calcify and form a bony growth.

Heel spur An abnormal walking style, such as rolling the feet inwards, can place extra strain on the plantar fascia. Chronic inflammation may develop and, over time, lead to a bony growth or spur. The spur can only be seen on x-ray, but its presence is often flagged by a tender patch at the heel on the sole of the foot.

You may have heel spurs without realising it - it is estimated that about one in 10 Australians have heel spurs without any symptoms. The spur itself does not cause the pain, but pain may be associated with inflammation in the area. An excessive amount of running or jumping causes inflammation to the growth plate, which results in pain. Rest, ice, stretching of the calf muscle and heel lifts are usually prescribed. Diagnosis of heel pain Depending on the condition, the cause of heel pain is diagnosed using a number of tests, including: Medical history Physical examination, including examination of joints and muscles of the foot and leg X-rays.

Treatment for heel pain Depending on the underlying cause, treatment can include: Rest from activities that stress the heel such as running and jumping Ice packs Regular foot massage, concentrating on the arch of the foot Professional strapping A splint worn at night Flexibility exercises Ultrasound therapy Anti-inflammatory medicine topical or oral Checking your posture and walking style, to correct imbalances and gait abnormalities that may contribute to the pain Shoe inserts orthoses to help support the foot In some cases, surgery may be recommended to treat conditions including neuroma, bursitis and heel spurs.

Prevention of heel pain You can reduce the risk of heel pain in many ways, including: Wear shoes that fit you properly with a firm fastening, such as laces. Choose shoes with shock-absorbent soles and supportive heels. Repair or throw out any shoes that have worn heels. Always warm up and cool down when exercising or playing sport — include plenty of slow, sustained stretches.

If necessary, your podiatrist will show you how to tape or strap your feet to help support the muscles and ligaments. Shoe inserts orthoses professionally fitted by your podiatrist can help support your feet in the long term.

Your doctor. Things to remember The heel is a padded cushion of fatty tissue that holds its shape despite the pressure of body weight and movement. Common causes of heel pain include obesity, ill-fitting shoes, running and jumping on hard surfaces, abnormal walking style, injuries and certain diseases.

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the ligament that runs the length of the foot, commonly caused by overstretching. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Symptoms Heel pain.

Definition Causes When to see a doctor. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again.

Show references Buchbinder R. Plantar fasciitis. Accessed Dec. Heel pain. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Chorley J, et al. Heel pain in the active child or skeletally immature adolescent: Overview of causes.