Heel Pain Specialists

What is heel pain?

Your heel is located just beneath your ankle at the back of your foot. It’s the largest bone in your foot and plays a crucial role in the way you move. 

The heel is surrounded by muscles, tendons, and ligaments that can become damaged or strained due to injury or overuse, leading to pain and discomfort.

What causes heel pain?

Heel pain is a common condition that many people experience at some point in their lives. There are many causes of heel pain, but the most common are:

Plantar fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs from your heel to the bottom of your toes. Common in runners and dancers, plantar fasciitis occurs when the fascia becomes injured or inflamed.

Achilles tendonitis

Your Achilles tendon connects your heel to your calf. Overuse of this long tendon commonly causes heel pain and inflammation.

Fracture

A sudden accident or general overuse during exercise can fracture, or break, your heel bone, leading to severe heel pain.

Sprain 

A sprain bends or stretches the muscles, ligaments, and tendons surrounding your heel in a way they shouldn’t, which causes pain and inflammation in the heel bone.

When should I see a doctor for heel pain?

Most heel injuries heal on their own with proper rest, ice therapy, and elevation. However, if you’ve had heel pain for longer than a couple of weeks, it may be time to seek help from the board-certified podiatrists at Garden State Foot & Ankle Specialists.

Any type of long-term swelling, bruising, redness, or pain that hasn’t subsided warrants a full examination of your foot and ankle.

Depending on the location and severity of your pain, the team performs physical tests to check your gait and ability to walk. They may also recommend imaging tests like an X-ray to look for fractures and sprains.

What are the treatments for heel pain?

If you have long-term heel pain, there are many ways to ease your discomfort without surgery. The team may recommend therapeutic exercises and stretches to build the muscles in your feet and prevent reinjury.

More often than not, you can significantly reduce heel pain with shoes that support your arches and cushion your heels. Garden State Foot & Ankle Specialists offers custom-fit orthotic inserts that mold to your feet for optimal comfort and support.

Taping and strapping your injured foot can also help reduce strain on the tendons in your feet, while a night splint gently stretches your plantar fascia while you sleep.

Not all heel pain responds to nonsurgical treatments. If that’s the case, the team has several arthroscopic foot surgery options to repair your damaged tendons or muscles.

If you’re experiencing chronic heel pain, call the podiatrists at Garden State Foot & Ankle Specialists or book an appointment online today.