Could a beach holiday be causing your heel pain?
A reader thinks they may have trodden on something sharp in the sand. Dr Mark Porter explains why a common foot condition could be the real cause.
Getty
A reader thinks they may have trodden on something sharp in the sand. Dr Mark Porter explains why a common foot condition could be the real cause.
We have just come back from a beach holiday in Lanzarote where I think I may have trodden on something in the sand because ever since, I have had a painful left heel, most noticeably when I first get out of bed. It settles by mid-morning but is back with a vengeance the next day.
I can’t see any splinter or cut, and I don’t remember feeling any pain after stepping on anything. Any idea what it could be?
I would need to see and examine you to be sure, but if there isn’t an obvious puncture wound or foreign body I suspect that this is plantar fasciitis – a kind of “tennis elbow” of the sole of the foot where the tissues attach to the front of the underside of the heel bone.
The inflammation is commonly triggered by doing a lot of walking barefoot on a sandy beach, and the classic symptom is pain under the heel that is worse in the morning, particularly when you first put your heel to the floor. People sometimes describe it as feeling like they have a stone in their shoe.
Your GP will be able to confirm what is going on and advise accordingly. I usually recommend a combination of stretches, impact-absorbing insoles in shoes (such as Sorbothane) and avoiding going barefoot or wearing flip-flops. Or indeed oversized Crocs or wellies (basically any loose footwear that makes you claw your toes).
Google “plantar fasciitis” for more details on specific stretches, but please be patient as it often takes weeks, and sometimes months, to get better.
Health insurance for people over 50 that provides a quicker route to diagnosis and planned medical treatment in a private facility.
Underwritten by Bupa Insurance Limited.
Your chance to win a 7-night cruise for two on board Spirit of the Rhine, worth more than £4,000.
Are you retiring at the wrong age? The best age to retire for your body, brain, happiness and pocket.
Everything you need to know about the lung infection, and how you could be ill with “walking” pneumonia without realising it.
Strong calves for a strong mind: how they support our circulation and brain health, with easy moves to strengthen yours at home.
Our GP Dr Mark Porter explains what can cause itchy skin, which is a common problem as we get older.
Worried you’ve morphed into Victor Meldrew? Find out how to battle that bad mood, and what to do if you’re stuck with a grouchy loved one.
The benefits of heat and cold therapy, and how Nordic bathing won over our nervous writer.
Here’s how to spot the symptoms of heat disease and reduce your danger.
The NHS winter vaccination campaign kicks off next week. Here’s the lowdown on what you need to book.
Pilates for back pain – what to do if you are suffering, and five gentle exercises that could help.
Dizziness or vertigo: a sensation of spinning, can stop us doing everyday things for fear of falling. Try these tips to stop feeling dizzy
You don’t have to put up with bladder leaks. We try out the latest pelvic floor gadgets for men and women.
Cataracts are a normal part of ageing. Learn how to spot the signs – and when it’s time to consider surgery.
