Heel Lifts
There are many types of prefabricated and fabricated devices your Podiatric physician may choose to insert into your shoe. Each device/insert has a specific purpose and function. Inserts are designed to accommodate the function/structure of your foot NOT correct any underlying pathology. By accommodating the function, they can potentially alleviate pain or discomfort. One such insert is the Heel Lift.
What is it?
A heel lift is exactly what it sounds like. It is an insert placed under the heel to raise the back of the foot. These are either prefabricated gel type inserts OR can be hand crafted by your physician with thick felt.
What is its purpose?
As mentioned earlier, a heel lift is designed to elevate the rearfoot. Elevating the rearfoot helps alleviate:
- Pain/Irritation/Tenson to the back of the heel. This pain may come from:
- Achilles bursae Achilles bursitis
- Spur Retrocalcaneal heel spur
- Haglunds deformity enlarged aspect of the posterior calcaneus
- Achilles tendon pathology tendonitis, tendonosis
- Heel lifts can also be used to reduce any discrepancy in leg length (one leg longer than the other). This only helps to a certain extent.
Like all inserts, they are not everlasting. If your pain begins to return, chances are your heel lift has bottomed out and is not providing its full accommodating function.
If you are in need of foot/ankle care, please contact Dr. Bowman at 713-467-8886 or visit www.houstonfootspecialists.com
Category: Heel Pain
Tags: Haglund's Deformity, heel Pain, Heel Spur