Has your heel pain lingered even though you've stayed off your feet and taken pain relievers? When home care doesn't help your symptoms, your foot doctor can offer effective treatment options. Wesley Chapel, FL, podiatrists Drs. George and Kathy Tjamaloukas provide the care you need to get back on your feet.

Why do my heels hurt?

Hurt pain occurs due to a variety of issues. If you've ever stepped on a rock or small toy, you've probably experienced a stone bruise, an injury that affects the fat pad over your heel bone. You may also develop a stone bruise if you run or exercise in shoes that don't offer enough support or cushioning. Although heel pain due to stone bruises usually subsides without treatment in a week or two, symptoms of other conditions can last much longer. Common causes of lingering heel pain include:

• Plantar Fasciitis: If you run your hand along the bottom of your foot, you'll feel a thick band of tissue called the plantar fascia. The fascia, which connects your toes to your heels, can become inflamed and cause pain in the heel. If you have plantar fasciitis, pain may be worse first thing in the morning and may lessen as you become more active. Walking after long periods of sitting can cause it to flare up again. Runners and people who spend long periods on their feet are more likely to develop the condition, although obesity, arch issues, and foot imbalances are other risk factors. You may be able to manage mild pain at home, but it's a good idea to visit your Wesley Chapel foot doctor if the pain is severe or interferes with your normal activities.
• Heel Fissures: Deep cracks that form in the skin of your heel can be very painful. Moisturizing the skin can help heel shallow fissures, but you may need podiatric care if the fissures are deep, extremely painful, or infected.
• Achilles Tendinitis: Heel pain may also occur due to inflammation of the tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Achilles tendinitis is a common overuse injury that's particularly common in people over 40. It may be more likely to occur if you have flat feet, don't replace worn-out shoes promptly, have high blood pressure or take certain antibiotics.

Your podiatrist offers a variety of treatments that offer real relief for heal pain. It's particularly important to make an appointment if you have ongoing or severe pain, as ignoring the pain may lead to arthritis or chronic pain in some cases.

Ease your heel pain with a visit to the foot doctor. Call Wesley Chapel, FL, podiatrists Drs. George and Kathy Tjamaloukas at (813) 909-0865 to schedule your appointment.