Staying Safe during Your Workouts

Heel pain makes you feel miserable. If it's severe, you may even find it difficult to walk and do the things you need to do. There are different causes of heel pain, so you may need to see a podiatrist to determine if you have plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, bursitis, or another problem. Knowing the cause of your pain makes it easier to find an effective treatment. If your pain is caused by bursitis, you may need to rest and change the type of shoes you wear. Here's a look at what causes bursitis and the treatments you can try. 

Bursitis Is Often The Result Of Chronic Irritation

Bursitis is an inflammation of the small sacs around the joint in your ankle or the Achilles tendon. These sacs are on the back of your ankle, so if your pain is located there, this helps the podiatrist diagnose your condition since pain from plantar fasciitis is usually on the bottom of the heel. Bursitis usually develops due to chronic abuse or overuse of a joint rather than an acute injury.

You may be running too long before you've had a chance to work up to longer distances. The problem might be pounding the pavement when you walk in flat sandals. Bursitis can also be caused by wearing shoes with rigid backs that scrape against your heel. It's also possible to develop bursitis as a result of another heel problem such as tendonitis or heel spurs.

Home Treatments That Can Help Bursitis

You may notice your heel pain gets worse as the day progresses or after you've been walking or running. Resting and elevating your feet might help by relieving pressure on your heel and reducing swelling. Using ice packs can help with pain and swelling too. Avoid wearing flat shoes and stiff shoes. Instead, try wearing running shoes as often as possible. Choose a pair that has a notch in the heel that provides space for your Achilles tendon. Also, try wearing a padded heel cup as a shock absorber.

Medical Treatments For Bursitis

Your podiatrist can help manage heel pain from chronic bursitis. You might need injections in your heel to reduce swelling. Your podiatrist can also recommend the appropriate over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications to take. You might even try a topical cream that helps with pain. If you have chronic heel pain, your podiatrist may need to study your gait and determine the right orthotics or shoes that will support your feet and keep them comfortable.

You may also be advised to alter your workout schedule so that your feet can heal and then gradually work up to a more intense regimen of running and walking. If your case is severe, the podiatrist may need to remove some of the fluid in the bursa or use ultrasound treatments to speed healing.

When you first notice problems with heel pain, pay attention to how you feel so you can rest your feet and prevent further injury. Seek help from a podiatrist if the pain doesn't clear up so you can stay active and not suffer from heel pain at the end of the day or after you work out.