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What Does Heel Pain While Walking Indicate?
Posted on
Fri, 13 Oct 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 13 Oct 2017
Answered on
Mon, 6 Nov 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : hello. I have pain in my right heel. I can touch all over it with my hand and put pressure on it and is ok? When I try to walk on it is when have pain. When I soak in cold water it helps a lot and can walk with little pain. Thanks you for your time.
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
may be plantar fasciitis
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
You may have what persons refer to as a spur. This is medically called plantar fasciitis.
It is inflammation and irritation of the tissue which is attached to a bone in the heel/ankle area.
Persons with this condition may give a history of pain in the heel particularly for the first couple steps in the morning or after a long period of without weight bearing.
Initially , with activity there may be a decrease but as the day goes on , it can worsen again
Treatment involves--(1)icing through a ice bath, ice massage or ice pack. Should be done after some strengthening exercises
For the ice bath, place some ice in a shallow container with water, soak for 10 to 15 mins, keep toes out of water
(2)rest is critical to healing, this does not mean complete rest but modifying activities to reduce pressure on the ankle
Avoid prolonged walking
In some persons with very severe pain, a short period of casting or using a walker boot may be needed
(3)there are stretching and strengthening exercises available online just for plantar fasciitis, these should be done daily
(4)medication such as ibuprofen, cataflam, naproxen, voltaren would be helpful to reduce the inflammation
(5)some persons may need a short course of steroids
(6)night splints and also use of shoe inserts such as supportive heel counter
Your doctor can determine if the pain is due to the plantar fasciitis as mentioned
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
may be plantar fasciitis
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
You may have what persons refer to as a spur. This is medically called plantar fasciitis.
It is inflammation and irritation of the tissue which is attached to a bone in the heel/ankle area.
Persons with this condition may give a history of pain in the heel particularly for the first couple steps in the morning or after a long period of without weight bearing.
Initially , with activity there may be a decrease but as the day goes on , it can worsen again
Treatment involves--(1)icing through a ice bath, ice massage or ice pack. Should be done after some strengthening exercises
For the ice bath, place some ice in a shallow container with water, soak for 10 to 15 mins, keep toes out of water
(2)rest is critical to healing, this does not mean complete rest but modifying activities to reduce pressure on the ankle
Avoid prolonged walking
In some persons with very severe pain, a short period of casting or using a walker boot may be needed
(3)there are stretching and strengthening exercises available online just for plantar fasciitis, these should be done daily
(4)medication such as ibuprofen, cataflam, naproxen, voltaren would be helpful to reduce the inflammation
(5)some persons may need a short course of steroids
(6)night splints and also use of shoe inserts such as supportive heel counter
Your doctor can determine if the pain is due to the plantar fasciitis as mentioned
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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