YOUR HEALTH
Do you suffer with sore heels? Mr Joel Humphrey What is heel pain? Heel pain is a common foot condition. Symptoms can range from a dull ache to a more intense pain. The pain can be worse first thing in the morning, when standing from a seated position or having walked any long distance. The two most common causes of heel pain are either plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinopathy. What is Achilles tendinopathy? Achilles tendinopathy is an overuse injury. The Achilles tendon undergoes a degenerative process in response to repetitive small tears that do not completely heal after each injury. The Achilles tendon can be painful, stiff and swollen. What is plantar fasciitis? Plantar fasciitis is chronic inflammation to the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis can affect anyone although it is more common in people who spend all day on their feet, are overweight or have altered foot biomechanics.
If you are experiencing pain in your heel which is intense, worsening or persistent then it’s important to get it treated, whether that’s conservatively or with specialist intervention. Read on to find out what Orthopaedic Specialist Foot and Ankle Surgeon from the Saxon Clinic MK, Mr Joel Humphrey, has to say on possible causes of heel pain and what he would recommend as a course of action. How do you treat heel pain? Below are some of the non-surgical treatments that specialists can recommend for Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis, however this list it is in no way exhaustive. Nonsurgical treatments are effective in the majority (85-90%) of patients: 1. Appropriate footwear which is supportive and fits well is recommended. 2. Medical insoles can be useful to improve the foot position. 3. Simple painkillers such as paracetamol, anti-inflammatory tablets or anti-inflammatory gels can be beneficial in reducing the pain symptoms. 4. Weight-loss is an important part of the treatment plan to reduce the forces going through your heel. 5. Activity modification aims to reduce impact activities that cause
your symptoms. Fitness can be maintained by doing other forms of exercise such as cycling or swimming. 6. Stretching exercises to the calf muscles and plantar fascia are very effective for many patients and form the mainstay of treatment to promote long term resolution. You may require specialist input from a physiotherapist. 7. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is offered to patients who have not responded to first line treatments. It uses shockwaves (low energy sound waves) to increase the blood flow to speed up the body’s natural healing process. Can you treat heel pain with surgery? Surgery would only be considered an option as a last resort after nonsurgical treatments have failed. It would depend on the extent of your condition and exact diagnosis.
Heel pain can be caused by other conditions. If your condition doesn’t resolve or if another cause to your heel pain is suspected you will need a referral to a specialist.
Mr Joel Humphrey, Foot and Ankle Surgeon, The Saxon Clinic, Milton Keynes. For more information or to book an appointment online please visit: circlehealthgroup.co.uk/ consultants/joel-humphrey You can also find out more by Emailing: admin@ mercuryfootandankle.clinic Visiting Mr Humphrey’s website: www.mercuryfootandankle.clinic
Milton Keynes
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For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | June 2022
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