Common Causes of Heel Pain

As podiatrists who specialize in sports medicine, we at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain want all our patients to continue leading active lifestyles. Keeping the lower limbs strong and flexible will prevent problems later in life, but athletes are at greater risk for overuse injuries. Heel pain is a common problem that can usually be traced to biomechanical defects that worsen over time, so this week’s blog post is about recognizing why they develop.

Most heel pain is caused by a problem with the plantar fascia or the Achilles tendon. The plantar fascia is what connects the heel to the ball of the foot. It can suffer wear when a person has fallen arches or they develop a bone spur on the back of their heel. The Achilles tendon travels down the back of the ankle to the heel and may be inflamed when a person’s shoes are rubbing against it. Inflammation here can also result in the growth of a bone spur.

Although these problems are usually treatable with rest, they are worth examining in case the heel pain is actually being caused by an infection or fracture. People with plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis may benefit from supportive shoe inserts and from doing stretching exercises to loosen up their tissues. We can provide patients with anti-inflammatory medications, and in severe cases, can discuss surgical options such as bone spur removal.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.

 

Prevent Running Injuries

Prevent any possibility of injuring yourself during training, so that you can still run that marathon you’ve been planning! We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates understand that even with efficient training, accidents happen. We are here for you when or if those accidents do happen, so that we can get you back to doing what you love. 

One way to prevent running injuries is to train smarter. You need to prioritize safety over anything else, which includes proper equipment utilization and performing exercises correctly. Before any major physical activity, you need to also warm-up your muscles and ligaments. It’s important to prepare your body for physical activity, as this is a proven way to limit your chances of injury. Improving your strength can also decrease the risk of running injuries. Many runners lack the skills for basic movement and functional strength. Working on core exercises, such as the plank, can significantly help with this!

Some common running injuries include:

- Arch pain: Inflammation and a burning sensation under the arch of the foot.

- Shin splints: Associated with any pain in the bone between the knee and ankle.

- Pulled hamstring: An injury to the hamstring muscle that causes mild to severe pain.

- Hip stress fracture: Common in long-distance runners because of repetitive motion in the hips. 

- Plantar fasciitis: Pain in the heel caused by inflammation of the ligament in the base of the foot.

- Achilles tendonitis: Pain in the back of the ankle that left untreated can rupture.

Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates is located on 1740 Cooper Foster Park Rd, #B, in Lorain, OH 44053. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, visit integrityfootandankle.com or call 440-282-1221.