It is no wonder that heel pain is one of the most prevalent foot complications since your feet absorb more stress from the weight of your entire body. But you do not have to tolerate the pain. The Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute heel pain specialists can help you find relief from your symptoms to restore your quality of life. Although there are several ways you can help yourself at home, it is crucial to seek expert help, especially when you have an injury, severe pain, or cannot walk. The following tips can help you get the care you deserve.
Visit Your Doctor
You must consult your doctor when experiencing heel pain before trying anything independently. Describe your situation to your doctor and ask for guidelines to help yourself at home. When you try at-home tips for about three weeks without success, you can be sure to visit the clinic for more advanced care. Book an appointment with a foot specialist who can perform physical therapy and understand your situation to recommend different treatment options. They can recommend x-rays based on the severity of your symptoms to improve the diagnosis.
Consider Night Splints
Your ankle rolls at night when you sleep and can get too painful positions. If you experience heel pain during the night, it is good you consult your doctor about night splints. The devices will help maintain your ankle in a neutral position during sleep, minimizing your painful symptoms. The devices will stretch your calf muscles and plantar fascia and prevent ankle rolling that could aggravate your symptoms. You might have to wear the night splint throughout the night for about three months, but you can also continue using the device even after your pain is gone as a preventative measure.
Consider Ultrasound Therapy
When you fail to find relief from self-help practices at home and some of the conservative measures your doctor recommends, you can be up for ultrasound therapy. This involves using soundwaves projected to the affected area through special machines. It can help stimulate blood flow in the area and relieve inflammation providing some pain relief. The procedure is noninvasive and will mainly be considered before injections and surgery.
Ask About Injections
When conservative and noninvasive treatments fail to deliver heel pain relief, you can ask your doctor about injections. Your provider can recommend anti-inflammatory or steroid injections if your symptoms are severe and do not respond to other treatments. Your provider will numb the painful area and inject corticosteroids to relieve the pain. You will not experience pain due to the numbing.
Consider Surgery as the Last Option
Although your doctor will first avoid surgery by trying conservative and nonsurgical treatments for heel pain, your situation might persist. Your only option for pain relief could be surgical interventions. This is mainly if your symptoms have persisted for about 6 months or more. Your doctor will discuss the available treatments to manage your symptoms, including removing the heel spur, correcting the plantar fasciitis, and relieving compressed nerves. They will also take you through the specific treatment suitable for you to help you understand what you can expect.
If heel pain affects the quality of your life, do not hesitate to contact the specialists in Scottsdale, AZ, for help. You can visit the clinic, call or use the online tool to schedule your consultation appointment.
