We tend to take our feet — which literally carry us through life — for granted until something goes wrong. Heel pain can be one of the most frustrating, painful foot problems, and it affects some two million people per year.
If pain and other heel discomfort become bad enough, it’s debilitating and can even limit your mobility. A snowball effect can occur because pain that begins under or behind your heel bone can start to affect your ankles, legs, hips, and even your lower back.
Our provider team at Premier Foot & Ankle offers the most advanced treatments for heel pain, but the all-important first step is finding its cause. When you visit us for heel pain, we evaluate you carefully, often using state-of-the-art imaging technology, and talk to you about your history of pain, specific symptoms, and more.
Plantar fasciitis accounts for the majority of heel pain diagnoses. This condition emerges when the thick tendon that runs from your heel up to your toes and supports your arch — your plantar fascia — becomes inflamed.
In addition to pain, you might also experience a tingling or burning feeling on the back or bottom of your heel, a burning sensation or pulsating pain after lengthy periods of standing or walking, and stiff, tight calves. You may also notice that your heel pain is the worst when you get up in the morning.
Other painful heel conditions include:
To get treated properly for your heel pain, your podiatrist must first make an accurate diagnosis. To do this, they:
Once your podiatrist diagnoses you with the condition that’s causing your heel pain, they can create your personalized treatment plan.
Our provider team offers a wide range of effective treatments, depending on what your symptoms are and which condition you’re diagnosed with.
We may recommend:
In addition to heel pain treatment, your podiatrist also gives you heel pain prevention tips so you can reduce your chance of repeat discomfort in the future. Strategies include wearing well-fitting shoes with shock-absorbing soles, doing proper warm-up and stretching routines before and after exercising, and pacing yourself when you exercise.
If extra pounds are a concern, your podiatrist can also talk to you about the importance of losing weight to preserve your heel comfort.
Don’t suffer in silence if you have heel pain. We can help you figure out the origin and treat you so you get relief. Contact one of our five convenient Texas locations to schedule an appointment today. Call our office or book online anytime.
