When Your Feet Still Hurt AFTER You Take Your Heels Off!

High Heels - some people love them, some people leave them.  Most women are like myself, wear them on occasions.  Granted, most women will admit that their feet hurt while they are wearing their heels, but what does it mean if your feet hurt after you take them off?

Pain at the ball of the foot, most commonly felt while wearing high heels, can be more of a problem then direct pressure from shoes.  Wearing heels, even occasionally, can cause tearing in one or more of the ligaments that are on the bottom of the joints located at the ball of the foot.  Pain at the ball of the foot is usually due to inflammation, scar tissue or a partial tear of this ligament.  The pain remains even when wearing flat shoes or without shoes because damage has occurred.

This ligament, known as the plantar plate, is responsible for keeping the toes straight.  When torn even partially, the ligament causes the toe to rotate or displace over time with or without pain.  Even without pain, there are can be swelling on the top of the foot in that region.   But its not just pain, swelling and damage to the ligament that you need to worry about.  It is not uncommon to develop hammertoes because of a disruption of this ligament. 

Treatment for this problem is dependent on when you seek treatment and how much damage there is to the tissue.  Sometimes extended physical therapy and taking the pressure off the ligament can allow the tissue to heal.  Often, using some of the newer forms of regenerative medicine can result in a quicker resolution.  Finally, surgery may be necessary as a last resort.

One thing to caution you on pain in this area.  NEVER have a cortisone injection unless you have ruled out damage to this ligament.  Cortisone, often used for inflammation in the area and/or neuromas in the area can weaken the ligament and cause further damage.