There are different types of heel pain that can be particularly troublesome on a daily basis. 3D foot orthotics are an effective solution to relieve the foot and also play a positive role in the biomechanics of the body. Here are the main types of heel pain and how 3D orthotics help address them.
Heel Pain Treatable with Foot Orthotics
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia. This heel pain is mostly felt in the morning during the first steps or when the body starts moving after being seated for a long time. It can be caused by intense effort without warming up, repetitive movements, or wearing inappropriate shoes.
Heel Spur
A heel spur is another rare heel pain. It is an irregular bone growth developing inside the heel bone. It causes sharp pain upon touch and a feeling of stiffness in that area. A heel spur can be caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes, repeated heavy impacts to the heel, being overweight, flat feet, or very high arches. It can also result from untreated plantar fasciitis or be linked to an inflammatory disease like arthritis.
Achilles Tendonitis
Mostly felt during or after physical exertion, Achilles tendonitis is caused by multiple micro-tears in the tendon of the area. This inflammation causes heel pain at the back of the heel, which can radiate up to the lower calf. It can make movement difficult. This issue is commonly seen in athletes following sudden exertion without sufficient warm-up or stretching.
Heel Bursitis
Heel bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac between the skin or heel bone and the Achilles tendon. It mainly presents with redness, swelling, and stiffness in the area, along with tenderness during walking. Bursitis can be caused by wearing tight shoes, overuse, or repetitive movements. It can also occur after foot trauma, infection, or an inflammatory disease.
Sever’s Disease
Sever’s disease is inflammation of the growth plate in the heel, affecting children in the growth phase (between 8 and 15 years old). It manifests as heel pain, which may sometimes radiate toward the sole of the foot, along with redness or swelling in the area and difficulty placing the foot on the ground. This condition is primarily caused by overuse of the heel bone, especially in the context of intensive sports activity. It can also be triggered by rapid growth spurts, foot malformations, overweight, or ill-fitting shoes.
How Do 3D Foot Orthotics Treat Heel Pain?
Each of the heel pains mentioned above can be relieved, or even treated, with the use of foot orthotics. They help better support the heel and the arch, provide better shock absorption, and ensure optimal foot positioning. They also reduce tension in key areas by better distributing the body’s weight and improving stability and balance.
3D printed orthotics go even further, as this technology allows for a millimeter-precise footprint, resulting in fully custom orthotics that are perfectly adapted to the patient’s foot and specific needs. Precise, comfortable, and durable, they are also beneficial for podiatrists, offering time savings and greater ease of use.
Choosing 3D Orthotics to Effectively Treat Heel Pain
Custom foot orthotics are a reliable and effective solution that addresses both heel pain and its underlying causes. They are invaluable aids derived from advanced technology, capable of improving the daily lives of people suffering from heel pain while offering significant advantages to the healthcare professionals who use them. Interested in 3D orthotics for your patients? Contact clinics working with Skeltec to learn more about our products.