It can be so very sweet when you finally rid yourself of a persistent case of heel pain. Not having to deal with so much discomfort on a daily basis just makes the world seem all that much brighter!

Of course, that’s also why it can feel so devastating if the clouds roll in and heel pain starts showing up in your life again.
If heel pain returns for one of our patients, it’s certainly not something we give up trying to treat! The good news is that we typically have plenty of previous information to work with when determining just what’s going on and how to respond to it.

Even if you initially received treatment elsewhere before coming to us, we can still learn plenty from past actions. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re looking once more for heel pain relief!

When it comes to why heel pain is coming back, there are several possible reasons we might consider first.

A Lapse in Current Treatment

While some causes of heel pain – such as certain sports injuries – can be more or less forgotten about once treatment is complete, other causes require consistent, long-term attention.

One such example is any problem related to an abnormality in foot structure. Treatments such as custom orthotics and conditioning exercises can be effective at supporting and managing these abnormalities, reducing the stress they can cause that leads to pain.

But, as can be with human nature, we sometimes stray away from beneficial things when we aren’t feeling the negative consequences anymore. We have had plenty of patients coming in with returning heel pain who have stopped using their orthotics or set aside their recommended routines.

And we get it! We really do. But unfortunately, some conditions such as abnormalities in gait or foot structure can never be “cured” by orthotics and other treatments, so you must remain vigilant in using them for the best results.

An Adjustment Needs to Be Made

But what if you are following all the instructions well, and the pain is still there? There is a chance that something about you or your treatment has changed significantly enough to require an adjustment.

Our bodies go through changes all the time – even through adulthood! And there are plenty that can alter the way our bodies distribute weight and forces enough to cause heel pain to return:

• Relatively fast changes in weight – both increasing and decreasing.
• Changes in activity or exercise levels.
• Changes in career, especially if it requires more or less time on your feet.
• Pregnancy.
• Other injuries and trauma to the feet and ankles.

If a change is significant enough, previously recommended treatments may no no longer be effective. Adjustments may be needed to equipment and/or treatment plans to get things back on track.

Equipment itself is also more than capable of changing. If you have had your orthotics for a long time, for instance, they be worn out, and no longer providing enough cushioning or corrective support. Refurbishment or replacement can make a huge difference, and we recommend coming in on a regular schedule to check in on the performance of your inserts.

Another Problem Has Developed

With as many potential causes of heel pain that exist, it is not entirely out of the question that your newly developed heel pain is from an entirely new source – one that is not being addressed by your previous treatments.

A thorough examination can provide deeper insight into whether this is the case. If it is, we can incorporate additional treatment or adjustments to current treatments into your overall plan, if necessary.

Don’t Let History Repeat Itself

Whether you are dealing with persistent heel pain for the first time or you’ve been to this rodeo before, there is never a good reason to hold out and wait for your heel pain to get better on its own. You might already know that isn’t likely to happen.

We are always here to help our patients find relief from heel pain and many other foot and ankle issues. Call our Spring Valley office at (845) 352-7507 to schedule an appointment.

We are still providing telemedicine appointments if you prefer an initial consultation from the safety of your own home, but we also continue to take strict measures to make our office as safe as possible from any risk of COVID exposure for all in-office appointments.