When you experience regular foot and heel pain, the discomfort can affect nearly every aspect of your life. For instance, it can prevent you from working efficiently, enjoying exercise, or completing daily chores, which are frustrating problems to solve. Below are several reasons behind this pain and how a podiatrist can help treat them.

What Issues Lead to Regular Foot & Heel Pain?

1. Fallen Arches

This condition is commonly known as flat feet, and it occurs when the arch of the foot collapses. This causes the entire sole of the foot to touch the ground when you are standing or walking. This can happen naturally as you age, as well as after a sports injury or accident that damages the connective tissue joining the calf muscles to the foot.

While some people experience little or no discomfort, it can become very painful over time. If you have fallen arches, a podiatrist can fit you with custom orthotics that support the feet. They may also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling and pain.

2. Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon connects the muscles in the leg to the heel bone. If you regularly run long distances or play sports, this muscle can weaken and become inflamed. This is particularly common if you don't stretch before exercising or wear shoes that are too tight.

If this tendon is injured, you may experience heel pain and stiffness that runs through the foot and calf. Generally, treatment involves oral medications to reduce pain and injections that lower swelling and discomfort. For minor problems, your podiatrist may recommend stretches and exercises to strengthen the support structure of the foot. For more advanced issues, surgery can help repair the tendon.

3. Arthritis

Arthritis is a common joint deterioration condition that leads to swelling, pain, and loss of mobility. While It usually affects the hips and knees, it can also occur in the ankle and other joints in the foot. When this occurs, you may experience heel pain whenever you walk, as the joints cannot support the movement fully. A foot doctor can prescribe medications and create a physical therapy plan to ease discomfort. In advanced cases, they may recommend surgical procedures to smooth, rebuild, or replace the joint.

If you're experiencing toe, foot, or heel pain, contact St. Peters Foot & Ankle: Samuel T. Wood–DPM. This podiatrist has two locations in St. Peters and Florissant, MO, providing relief to help you get back to an active, pain-free lifestyle. The caring team also specializes in treating bunions, ingrown toenails, and diabetic foot issues. Visit the website for more information about their services. Call (636) 720-0190 to schedule an appointment.