Sore Heels
Heel pain is a common problem in adults. The most common cause of heel pain is inflammation to the dense tissue extending from the calcaneus to the metatarsal region, thus the descriptive term plantar fasciitis. An inflamed or damaged plantar fascia may contribute to painful conditions caused by nerve injury or soft-tissue inflammation in local muscle and the fat pad.
Why do heels get sore? The heels hit the ground first when you're walking or running and therefore take the initial and strongest strain. If your foot is flat or the arch muscles are weak then the shock absorption of mechanism does not work correctly. Arch exercises with custom built orthotics correct the mechanics of the foot and relive the pain. If not treated, this may then become a heel spur instead of plantar faciitis. Heel spur treatment is the same but may take longer to reduce the pain. If heel spurs are left untreated for a long time they may end up needing a steroid injection or surgical intervention to remove the spur.
To make an appointment with one of our podiatrists, click below or
call 08 9221 4998.