Aches and pains become familiar companions as you get older. You might think of your foot pain and heel pain as simply part of a new normal once you age. However, lingering heel pain can be a sign of an underlying condition that would benefit from professional evaluation.
Expert podiatrist Dr. Francine Rhinehart treats new and existing patients with heel pain complaints from her offices in Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas. Here are some of the ways you can benefit from being evaluated for heel pain by Dr. Rhinehart.
Your heel bone, the largest bone in your feet, has to support your entire body weight. Wear-and-tear on your heel can build up over time, leading to podiatry problems. You need your heels fully functioning in order to be able to comfortably stand, walk, run, climb, and stay active.
Inactivity, especially as you get older, can lead to further health issues. Seeing Dr. Rhinehart and learning more about the causes of your heel pain gives you a chance to resolve your pain problem and stay on your feet longer, maintaining healthy activity levels.
The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) attributes most cases of heel pain to abnormalities in your gait, or how you walk. You can also suffer from heel pain due to overpronation problems, if you roll your foot too far inward when you walk, causing the tissues around your heel to have to pull and strain.
Standing or striding in the wrong way can put too much pressure on different parts of your feet like your tendons or your heel bone. Dr. Rhinehart can suggest changes to your posture and gait to better support and protect your feet, resolving your persistent heel pain.
Heel pain may occur due to an underlying issue or condition. You might have heel spurs, bony growths on your heels that form due to repeated strain on your foot muscles and ligaments. Another common cause of heel pain in adults is plantar fasciitis, a condition affecting the tissue that connects your heel bone to the bones of the foot.
These underlying issues need treatment to prevent worsening and further pain. Conservative treatment options like bracing and physical therapy may be enough to address your podiatry issue. In severe cases, you might need surgical treatment to fully address plantar fasciitis.
You don’t have to learn to live with persistent heel pain. Dr. Rhinehart evaluates your case with a thorough physical exam and, if needed, imaging tools like X-rays. Then, she recommends a treatment plan to effectively address any underlying issues and resolve your heel pain for good.
Depending on your condition, you may benefit from treatments and therapies such as:
For podiatry support, you can rely on, get in touch with Francine Rhinehart, DPM today. Schedule your appointment over the phone, or book online.
