If you have a problem with your lower legs or feet, you need to consult with a medical specialist known as a podiatrist. These professionals specialize in the treatment of injuries including complications possibly arising from foot and ankle injuries as well as medical conditions like diabetes.
Here at the Salem Foot and Ankle Specialist, Inc. in the Roanoke-area, our podiatrist, Dr. Mahmoud Salem, can help you find the source of your heel pain and recommend suitable treatments for it.
Managing and Treating Heel Pain with Help from Your Podiatrist
The initial goal is to identify the source of the pain to arrive at the proper treatment options. During the initial examination, your Roanoke-area podiatrist will discuss your symptoms, potential causes, and the treatment procedures that will be done to manage and treat it. In the same manner, your role as a patient will be thoroughly explained so that no revision of the treatment recipe would be done without your podiatrist’s knowledge.
A handwritten instruction will be provided to you to ensure compliance and achieve optimum results. It is common to advise the patient to apply ice twice daily on the affected area to help manage the pain. Likewise, treatment would often involve the use of NSAID prescriptions and the administration of a corticosteroid injectable to alleviate pain and inflammation.
The use of a longitudinal metatarsal arch pad is also usually recommended. Patients will normally be advised to use this all the time except when sleeping and showering. Additionally, part of the initial recommendations can include the stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle about two to three times daily. It is likewise emphasized that these stretching exercises must be done gently to avoid experiencing pain.
Physical activities like jumping, running, or fitness walking should likewise be temporarily avoided to prevent aggravating your heel pain.
Prevention Tips for Heel Pain
Part of your podiatrist's responsibility in managing and treating heel pain is to give you sound prevention tips to prevent the recurrence of heel pain. These typically include:
- Ensure that your shoes fit well
- Include shock-absorbent soles with rigid shanks and supportive heel counters
- Match your shoes with your activity
- Avoid shoes with excessively worn-out soles or heels
- Do proper stretching before and after engaging in physical activities
- Learn to pace yourself
- Provide your body with proper rest and good nutrition
- Always maintain a healthy body weight
Need Relief From Heel Pain? We Can Help
Arrange a consultation with your Roanoke-area podiatrist, Dr. Mahmoud Salem, by dialing 540-982-0253.