Why do I feel heel pain?

Your heel bone is the largest bone in your foot and because it’s surrounded by tendons, muscles, ligaments, and cartilage, among other components, pain can stem from a number of issues. If you’re experiencing occasional or even daily episodes of heel pain, it could be related to:

• Arthritis 
• Heel spurs
• Pump bumps 
• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome 
• Fractures, including stress fractures
• Heel pad inflammation due to thin heel pads or heavy footsteps

You may also be experiencing heel pain because of a sports injury. For instance, if you sprained your ankle, pain can radiate down into your heel bone area.

When should I get treatment for heel pain?

The highly skilled team of podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Premier Specialists specialize in innovative heel pain care, so you can expect fast and effective relief. They encourage you to come in for an evaluation if your heel pain is:

• Associated with burning, stabbing, or numbing sensations
• Making it uncomfortable for you to walk, stand, or run
• Getting worse with each passing day
• Not improving after several days

Because your podiatrist can perform in-office X-ray or ultrasound imaging at Foot & Ankle Premier Specialists, you can often get your diagnosis immediately, so you can learn about treatment options.

What are the treatment options for heel pain?

The expert podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Premier Specialists personalize your heel-pain treatment plan to your specific condition, as well as your lifestyle. Treating heel pain often involves a combination of the following therapies:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)
• Corticosteroid injections
• Taping and strapping
• Physical therapy
• Custom orthotics
• Night splints

Surgery for heel pain is reserved for cases where your underlying condition isn’t improving with conservative treatments, or for when you have a complex diagnosis. 

No matter which type of treatment is right for you, rest assured, the team at Foot & Ankle Premier Specialists can help you get relief from agonizing heel pain. 

Book your heel pain evaluation at Foot & Ankle Premier Specialists directly through the website. You can also call any office directly to schedule a visit.