No one enjoys having a sprained ankle, but it’s even worse when it happens frequently. Chronic instability, or your ankle “giving way” often, can be the result of repeated sprains.
It’s frustrating when you’re slowed down by a problem with a part of your body you rarely think about: your heel. Yet heel pain is one of the most common foot problems that Dr. Kerry Berg treats here at Intermountain Foot & Ankle Associates in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Your foot is a complex and amazing machine. With more than 50 bones and joints in each foot, Dr. Berg works diligently to determine what’s causing your symptoms so she can treat the root cause of your heel pain, which may be caused by any of the following common conditions.
A thick band of elastic tissue called the plantar fascia ligament runs the full distance from your heel to your toes. When it gets inflamed from overstretching, you can suffer with plantar fasciitis. Symptoms include stabbing pain in your heel and heel pain with first movements after inactivity, like your first steps out of bed in the morning.
Overuse of the Achilles tendon from certain movements (like jumping) causes it to flare up and cause these problems:
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic attack on your joints. A reported 90% of people who have the chronic disease say the pain is more prevalent in their hands and feet. Some of the signs of the autoimmune condition are joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in your joints.
Damage in your heel joints from osteoarthritis or other degenerative conditions causes your body’s innate healing mechanisms to rush to the scene and add new bone material to your existing bones, forming bone spurs. The unnecessary add-on bone leads to:
Compression of your foot’s posterior tibial nerve from injuries, bone spurs, or tendon inflammation lead to:
Strenuous exercise or repetitive overuse can stress the heel bone and cause it to fracture. Symptoms include:
Depending on the cause of your heel problem, Dr. Berg customizes a treatment plan to relieve your pain and restore your mobility. Some of the therapies we offer include:
Get started with your heel pain therapy at Intermountain Foot & Ankle Associates. Call the office now or book an appointment online.
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