Is "grin and bear it" your approach to handling heel pain? Ignoring the pain only prolongs it and may even increase your risk of chronic pain. Dr. Keith Rosenthal of The Foot and Ankle Center can diagnose the source of your heel pain and offer effective treatments.
What can be done about heel pain?
Heel pain treatment depends on the cause. Common conditions that cause heel pain include:
- Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis occurs due to inflammation in the band of tissue that connects your heels to your toes. Pain is often worse first thing in the morning and when you stand or walk after sitting for a while. You may be more likely to develop plantar fasciitis if you are over 40, overweight, have flat feet or work in a job that requires standing for long periods of time. Your foot doctor may recommend night splints to stretch the fascia while you sleep. Other treatment options include exercises, heel cups to cushion your heels, corticosteroid injections, shockwave therapy, or surgery in severe cases.
- Heel Fractures: Did the pain in your heel start after a jump, fall or accident? You may have fractured your heel. A cast or boot will keep pressure off your heel while you recover from your injury. If the bones have become displaced, surgery will be needed to repair your heel.
- Heel Spurs: Heel spurs are calcium deposits that form due to pressure on the heels. You're more likely to develop them if you're involved in activities that involve running or jumping, wear shoes that don't fit well or recently had plantar fasciitis. If you have heel spurs, our doctors at The Foot and Ankle Centers located in Brick and Jackson may recommend over-the-counter pain medication, heel cups, physical therapy or corticosteroid injections.
- Achilles Tendonitis: An inflammation in the long, thin Achilles tendon at the back of your heel can be quite painful. If rest and over-the-counter medications don't help, you may benefit from physical therapy, heel lifts, orthotics, cortisone injections or shockwave therapy. Surgery may be helpful if your pain isn't better after six months.
Don't let heel pain take over your life! Schedule an appointment with one of our podiatrists at The Foot and Ankle Center at Jackson at 732 833 2800 or The Foot and Ankle Center at Brick at 732 477 0441..