Experiencing Heel Pain?

Whether it's through orthotics, at-home treatments, or surgery, find out the many ways in which you can effectively manage your heel pain.

From being on our feet all day for work to pounding the pavement several times a week, there are many reasons why someone may deal with heel pain. While minor heel pain will often go away on its own with ample rest, sometimes you may need to visit our Omaha, NE, podiatrist, Dr. Kent DiNucci, to find out what’s going on and how to best treat it. 

What is causing my heel pain?

It’s difficult for us to know what’s causing your pain until we actually examine your foot and ask you questions about your symptoms. From there, we can make a diagnosis or decide whether we require further tests (e.g. X-rays; MRI). The most common cause of heel pain is an overuse condition known as plantar fasciitis, which leads to inflammation of one of the ligaments in the feet. The plantar fascia provides support to the arches of the feet so that you may also notice arch pain along with your heel pain.

Other causes of heel pain include,

• Achilles tendonitis
• Heel spur
• Strains and sprains
• Bursitis
• Fracture
• Arthritis 

When should I see a doctor?

Are you on the fence as to whether or not you should see your Omaha, NE, foot doctor for an evaluation? You should contact us if your heel pain doesn’t get better after 2-3 weeks of rest and at-home care. You should turn to us immediately if the pain is severe, affects your daily routine, or is accompanied by numbness or swelling of the heel. 

How is heel pain treated?

If you are dealing with minor to moderate pain, you may be able to treat the problem with home treatments such as,

• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Special foot stretches
• Wearing supportive, properly fitted shoes
• Applying ice to the heel every 2-3 hours for 15-20 minutes at a time
• Wearing a night splint, as directed by your podiatrist
• Wearing custom orthotics (also known as shoe inserts) made by your foot doctor to provide your feet with additional support when standing or walking

More aggressive or chronic forms of heel pain may also benefit from steroid injections, shockwave therapy, ultrasound or surgery. 

Need relief? Give us a call

If you are dealing with heel pain that just won’t quit, then call The Ankle and Foot Clinic in Omaha, NE, at (402) 331-0221 to schedule a consultation with our podiatrist, Dr. Kent DiNucci. We can prescribe an at-home care regimen, craft orthotics, or determine if surgery is right for you!