There are many people who suffer from foot and heel pain but don’t do much if anything about it. However, you need to know that this pain is your body’s way of communicating that there is something wrong. When you are dealing with chronic pain in your heel or other portions of your foot, it is important to contact a podiatrist to do a full assessment.

The longer that you are waiting and ignoring these signs and symptoms, it will become increasingly difficult to eliminate this pain. For some patients, it can result in more pain or the potential for surgery. As with a painful condition, the sooner that you seek help, the sooner you can feel better and get back on your feet.

When it comes to heel pain, you may start to notice it under the heel, which could be plantar fasciitis. If it is behind the heel, it can be an issue with Achilles tendinitis. The Achilles tendon is the portion that connects the heel bone.

There are 26 bones that make up the human foot, and the heel bone happens to be the largest. The heel bone absorbs a great amount of impact while you are running or walking as it works to propel us up for the next stride. Because the heel takes on so much stress, it can be vulnerable to pain and damage. In some cases, heel pain can be severe or even debilitating. When this happens, the best way to pinpoint the cause is to set up a time to visit your local podiatrist.

In addition to the pain, you could notice some of the following symptoms:

• Tingling or numbness in your heel
• Pain in your heel when you are not walking around or standing up
• Severe pain that comes with swelling around the heel
• The inability to walk, rise on your toes, or bend your foot normally
• Pain in the heel that comes with a fever

If you have one or more of the symptoms above, it is a good idea to make an appointment with your podiatrist for an assessment at your earliest convenience.

Podiatrists have the ability to evaluate your foot or heel condition with a physical examination. They will ask you questions regarding the pain – including the amount of standing or walking you do on a regular basis. There may also be questions regarding your footwear choices and any medical history that could point to a cause. If further diagnostic testing is required, they can schedule imaging scans or blood tests.

Regardless of the cause of your heel pain and foot discomfort, we can help at Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic. We can tell you that it is best that you never ignore symptoms like pain during normal foot movement, numbness, or pain that comes from your heel. Just a simple visit to our office could save you a lot of pain and discomfort.

If you need help with treating heel pain, Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic can help. CallDr. Hall at (425) 482-6663.