Foot pain can be caused by a sudden injury, repetitive motion, wearing shoes that don't fit well, nerve disorders, circulation problems, arthritis, and improper gait. The pain might be in your bones, joints, tendons, or fascia. If your pain persists, you should see a doctor for an evaluation. Heel pain is a common condition that's sometimes caused by injury to a tendon. This condition is called Achilles tendonitis. Here's why this condition occurs and how a doctor might treat it.
Achilles Tendonitis Is Often Sports Related
Achilles tendonitis is a common injury in runners who do too much running too soon. To avoid injury to your Achilles tendon, it's better to start slowly and build the intensity of your workouts so your body has a chance to adapt. If you only play sports on weekends or rare occasions, you're at a higher risk of tendonitis since you're sedentary for long stretches between playing sports.
Symptoms Include Pain And Stiffness
Tendonitis is inflammation that's caused by tiny tears in the tendon tissue. Mild tears will often heal on their own with rest, but sometimes the tears can be severe and require medical attention.
The injury and inflammation cause pain above the heel of your foot where the tendon attaches to your bone. Your foot and heel may also feel stiff in the mornings before you start walking to work out the stiffness.
Treatments For Achilles Tendonitis Foot Pain
If your discomfort is mild, you might try home treatments that include resting your foot, elevating your foot while using ice, and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. You might also wrap your foot in a compression bandage to help with swelling.
If the foot pain doesn't go away in a few days, or if the pain is severe, have your foot evaluated by a doctor. Also, if your tendon has a bad tear, you may have difficulty walking. In that case, see a doctor right away. You don't want to ignore the pain in your foot since an injury can make your tendon weak and at a higher risk of a more severe injury.
Your doctor may need to do imaging tests to determine the extent of your injury. They may advise you to continue with your home treatments using ice and a compression bandage. They might also give you a heel wedge to wear in your shoe for padding and comfort.
In addition, your doctor may order physical therapy for you so you can strengthen the muscles in your lower leg and foot. Exercises can also keep your foot flexible while you heal. If your tendon is completely ruptured, your doctor may need to do surgery to repair it with stitches. In that case, you may need physical therapy to help your foot heal properly from the surgery.
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