Heel pain is never fun, especially when simple activities, like walking become difficult. Below, we detail some specific heel related issues and the latest treatment method. However, it’s worth noting that the moment you experience any form of heel pain you should visit your podiatrist in Perth.
There are a number of conditions that can cause heel pain, two of the most common ones being Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles Tendonitis.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is a debilitating condition that is caused by damage to the ligament under the sole of your foot. Heel and arch pain is usually felt when the ligament is irritated or inflamed.
In most cases, pain is felt in the region where the plantar fascia attaches. Any inflammation in this area can cause small tears or even heel spurs. People suffering from Plantar Fasciitis often say the pain is at its worst when they first put pressure on their foot in the morning, or after periods of inactivity. While the pain and discomfort improves over the course of the day, it will usually spike again at the end of the day.
Too much pressure on the plantar fascia, unsupportive footwear, calf tightness, and even weight gain can cause Plantar Fasciitis. When diagnosed early, a full recovery will be made and treatment could be as minimal as footwear advice or massages. When it’s more serious or has progressed beyond this point, then shockwave therapy can be used to fix the problem.
Achilles Tendonitis
This is a degenerative condition whereby the tendon thickens, becomes swollen or creates tender palpable nodules.
As a chronic condition that gets worse over time, treatment can vary from heel lifts and strength exercises to shockwave therapy. The main symptom to look out for is stiffness behind the heel or ankle, especially in the morning and after exercise.
Radial Shockwave Therapy is an innovative way to treat heel pain. It uses high intensity ultrasound waves to treat heel spurs, plantar fasciitis and issues related to the Achilles tendon, plus a host of other foot and ankle conditions.
Shockwave Therapy works by numbing the area to relieve pain, increasing tendon regeneration, and breaking up any tendon calcification. Administered through a specialised hand piece, increasing the flow will also promote healing.
In most cases you’ll only need three to five treatments that are approximately 10-15 minutes long. You will notice a difference after the first treatment, with significant long-lasting reduction in pain usually being experienced by the end of the third treatment.
In terms of side effects, shockwave therapy may cause mild discomfort or localised bruising, but is a much safer option to surgery and doesn’t have any major complications.
Cannington Podiatry treats heel pain with shockwave therapy, and can effectively treat any heel related conditions and pain. Contact the friendly team for more information on the different types of heel pain, and their new shockwave therapy treatment.