Heel Pain Specialist

What causes heel pain?

Heel pain is a very common foot problem that usually affects the underside or back of your heel. The pain is usually not a symptom of a serious condition, but it can interfere with your normal activities. The most common causes of heel pain are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Causes of heel pain also include:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Bone tumor
• Bursitis
• Haglund's deformity
• Heel spur
• Osteomyelitis
• Paget's disease of bone
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Plantar fasciitis
• Reactive arthritis
• Retrocalcaneal bursitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sarcoidosis
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome

How is heel pain diagnosed?

Diagnosis of heel pain is made through X-rays involving weight bearing that can determine if a heel spur is present and to rule out rare causes of heel pain such as a stress fracture. Pandit Foot & Ankle Clinic has state-of-the-art technology such as ultrasound exams and can diagnose muscle or tendon injuries and any soft tissue damage that may be causing pain. You should see your doctor immediately if you have:

• Severe pain and swelling near your heel
• Inability to bend your foot downward, rise on your toes, or walk normally
• Heel pain with fever, numbness, or tingling in your heel
• Severe heel pain immediately after an injury
• Heel pain that continues when you're not walking or standing
• Heel pain that lasts more than a few weeks, even after you've tried rest, ice, and other home treatments

How is heel pain treated?

Treatment of heel pain will depend on what is causing the pain. At the earliest sign of heel pain, stretching the calf muscles aggressively, or providing strengthening exercises, can aide in pain relief as the muscles are all connected. In addition, anti-inflammatory medication can be prescribed or cortisone injections used to provide pain relief. Functional foot orthotics, used for arch support inside the shoes, might be recommended corrects abnormal pronation of the foot. Pandit Foot & Ankle Clinic can offer gait analysis using a state-of-the-art system to recommend the best orthotics for your condition. We also offer EPAT treatments to avoid surgery, which is a favorite among our busy patients and athletes. Surgery to correct heel pain is generally only recommended if other treatments have failed.