Marianne asks us:
I've been having heel pain in my left heel, which I mainly notice after I've been walking or on my feet for a while. It's only my left foot, though. What are my options?
Hi Marianne! Depending on the cause of the heel pain — which could be one of a number of potential causes — we can certainly recommend a few different items for you to try.
- Your heel pain might be from a bone spur (heel spurs), deterioration of the natural fat padding in your heel (fat pad atrophy), or similar condition which would cause discomfort simply due to your foot not absorbing impact shock as well as it may have in the past. In this case, a heel cushion would be an easy and low-cost solution to adding a bit more cushioning and shock absorption beneath your heels. In particular, the Sorbothane Heel Pads are our recommendation, as the gel padding in them is the best for shock absorption, and their low-profile design means that they can be placed either below or on top of your existing shoe insoles. Note that we'd recommend using these for both feet, even if you only have pain in one; maintaining an even platform for your feet by having the same support in both shoes is still important, and extra cushioning will only help your right foot.
- Your heel pain may be related to plantar fasciitis or similar inflammation of the plantar fascia and surrounding muscles and tendons, which may only really "flare up" after you've been on your feet a bit. In this case, an arch support insole with a cushioned heel and firm arch support could help alleviate some of the strain on the heel. The 10 Seconds 3810 Ultra Arch Support Insoles offer a great combination of heel support, heel cushioning, and arch support and are a great choice for this avenue. In addition to providing some possible relief, these insoles will also ensure that you have good cushioning and support for your feet to prevent any other issues from developing, too.
- The other thought is that your heel pain may be caused by a bone fracture. This can happen as the result of any number of different causes, such as repeated strain on the heel over time, excessive stress placed on the heel at any point, or a weakened bone structure. If you were to try heel pads or a cushioned arch support insole without much improvement, or if you suspect a bone fracture to begin with, we'd recommend seeing a podiatrist for examination and diagnosis.
As always, let us know if you have any thoughts or questions!