Are you physically active, or do you use your feet often? If so, you may have experienced a little heel pain now and then. Even though it is common, heel pain may indicate something more serious. Fortunately, there are ways to tell if this sensation is something to be concerned about.

Let’s talk about the signs that indicate your heel pain is serious and where you can go for heel pain management in Cincinnati, OH.

The Pain Does Not Improve

Most cases of heel pain resolve on their own. There are also home remedies you can try to improve the condition.

However, it can be serious if your heel doesn’t feel better after a few weeks, especially after treatment.

Heel pain that doesn’t improve after a while can be a sign of several conditions. One example is plantar fasciitis, one of the most common causes of heel pain. It occurs when you overuse your plantar fascia, the tissue that connects the bones in your foot.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain that will take more than home treatments. This condition results from too much stress on your foot’s ligaments and tendons.

The Pain Is Sudden and Severe

Intense heel pain that comes suddenly will require immediate treatment. The sensation can result from injuries from the constant use of your feet. These conditions include the following:

Achilles Tendinitis

Sudden and severe heel pain can develop over time through activities like running and jumping, leading to Achilles tendinitis.

Bursitis

Intolerable pain around your heels could be a sign of bursitis. This condition happens due to the inflammation of the bursae, the fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints.

Stress Fractures

Another cause for sudden and severe pain in your heels is stress fractures. Much like Achilles tendonitis, they are also caused by overuse.

You’ll know it is serious when you feel heel pain, even while resting.

The Pain Causes Difficulty in Walking

If you walk a lot, especially for work or exercise, you can expect heel pain at some point. However, when the simple act of walking becomes difficult, the pain may be a sign of a serious underlying condition.

Similar to the other symptoms above, this can be caused by plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis.

Bursitis can also make walking extremely difficult due to the swelling of the bursae in your heels. Heel spurs can also make walking difficult due to the pain caused by pressure on the bony growths.

Because of the number of conditions that can make it hard for you to walk, a medical evaluation is advised.

The Pain Causes Inflammation or Stiffness in the Heel

When your heel pain is accompanied by inflammation or stiffness, this could mean your condition has worsened.

Inflammation occurs when your body attempts to heal an injury. While this processis good, it can involve attacking harmful organisms like bacteria and removing toxic chemicals. This leads to pain and swelling.

If your heel is inflamed, it could be a sign of plantar fasciitis. It could also indicate Achilles tendinitis, especially when the swelling is behind the heel.

These conditions both result from injuries to the heel due to wear and tear.

As mentioned, inflammation of your heel can also be from the swelling of the bursae in the affected area.

The Pain Comes with Numbness or a Tingling Sensation

Numbness or tingling can be indicative of a serious heel problem.

It is often a sign of damage to or compression on your tibial nerve, found in your ankle. When this occurs, it is known as tarsal tunnel syndrome. The condition is named after the part of your ankle where the tibial nerve runs through.

Unfortunately, this numbness won’t go away on its own. In fact, it worsens during and even after physical activity.

To treat tarsal tunnel syndrome, you need medical assistance to address its underlying cause.

If left untreated, the nerve damage may become irreversible. This severe effect will lead to difficulty moving your feet, negatively impacting your quality of life.

Heel Pain Relief in Cincinnati, OH

If you’re looking for custom orthotics to relieve the pain in your heels, look no further than Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care. Our highly skilled podiatrists in Cincinnati can help resolve your heel pain, from efficient diagnosis to swift treatment that works for you.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation with one of our outstanding podiatrists, contact our friendly staff today by calling our location near you or filling out our online appointment request form. We have offices across Greater Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio.

We look forward to serving you!