Given the demands imposed on your feet throughout your lifetime, heel discomfort should not be surprising. When it becomes a chronic problem extending more than three months, you must seek relief. Always seek the assistance of an expert, like those at Annapolis Foot and Ankle Center, to identify your concerns and provide remedies. Left unaddressed, any of these four typical reasons for Glen Burnie heel pain may incapacitate you and diminish your life quality, particularly as you get older.
1) Plantar Fasciitis
Swelling of the plantar fascia, a thick ligament that spans the entirety of your foot, causes plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia serves to cushion and sustain the arches of your foot. Whereas unexpected weight increase, strained Achilles tendons, obesity, or inadequate arch support could trigger these concerns, high arches may put you at risk for plantar fasciitis. With time, the plantar fascia membrane may rip and swell; thus, leading to plantar fasciitis.
2) Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis is a swelling of the tendon that connects the heel bone to the ankle. Achilles tendinitis often causes discomfort at the back of the leg, right above your heel bone. Besides, you might experience tension and tightness in the ankle, morning stiffness in your calf and heel, and excruciating pain when walking.
Overuse injuries, including running long distances uphill or downhill, are a significant cause of this concern. If you do not seek medical attention, it is easy to rupture or tear your Achilles tendon.
3) Flat Feet
Flat feet, often known as fallen arches, may produce no symptoms or severe discomfort. However, heel discomfort is prevalent because of the additional strain exerted on the ligaments and tendons in that region by the absence of arch support.
Discomfort from flat feet might impact both feet or only one. Additionally, you might suffer discomfort in the arch of your foot, back, hip, and legs. You might have stiffness as you rise in the morning or after a period of sitting.
As flat feet result in an imbalanced body weight distribution, these symptoms might worsen with time. Nonetheless, flat feel could also be a genetic concern, resulting from arthritis, injuries, weak ankles, or muscle disorder.
4) Heel Spurs
Heel spurs constitute bony calcium buildups that emerge from the bottom of your heel. Often, a heel spur develops from uncorrected plantar fasciitis. Uncomfortable heel spurs could also arise from the stress you apply on your foot, which stretches the fascia and tears the membrane covering. Other factors include recurrent heel stress, like running on rough surfaces, inadequate arch support, and obesity.
Your feet’s health is vital to your overall life quality. Nobody should endure discomfort, particularly when there is a remedy. For those in Annapolis, Glen Burnie, and Stevensville, MD, Annapolis Foot, and Ankle Center can help relieve your heel discomfort. Board-certified foot surgeons Dr. Eric Harmelin, DPM, and Dr. Rikhil D. Patel head a team of expert podiatrists to address even the most complex concerns. Schedule a consultation today through mobile or book online to discuss your symptoms, and explore the care options available.
