Heel pain is a common condition that can affect your ability to feel comfortable walking or wearing certain shoes. When you’re dealing with heel pain, you might notice that your feet feel extremely stiff and sore after you’ve been sitting, and it can be difficult to walk. Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel, your podiatrists at Emerald Coast Podiatry in Fort Walton Beach and Crestview, FL, and serving Niceville, FL, can explain what might be causing your heel pain and how it can be treated.
Dealing With Heel Pain
There are a few different issues that could cause heel pain, but there’s one specific condition that is usually associated with heel pain. This condition is known as plantar fasciitis and is when the plantar fascia, which is a muscle that stretches throughout the foot and into the heel, is inflamed and causes pain and irritation. This is usually associated with overuse and can make it difficult to walk normally for extended periods of time.
Pain from plantar fasciitis can usually feel like your feet are extremely sore and stiff. Pain is usually at its worst when you first wake up and after you’ve sat down after being on your feet for an extended period of time. Dealing with plantar fasciitis can make it difficult to enjoy your favorite activities and is why you should talk to your podiatrist serving Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and Niceville, FL, about treatment as soon as possible.
Some common forms of treatment may include stretching and exercising the foot, taking anti-inflammatory medications, and using night splints or orthotics. In severe cases, your podiatrist may recommend surgery to correct any tears. It is extremely rare that surgery is necessary.
Contact Your Podiatrist Today
Find out what could be causing your heel pain! Contact Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel, your podiatrists at Emerald Coast Podiatry in Fort Walton Beach and Crestview, FL, and serving Niceville, FL, to learn about plantar fasciitis today! Call for more information at (850) 862-4119 for the office in Fort Walton Beach, FL, and (850) 682-6522 for the office in Crestview, FL.