Heel pain can keep you from being active. The constant stabbing, aching pain can make it difficult to move around. Fortunately, your podiatrist has several treatment solutions for heel pain. The podiatrists at Total Foot And Ankle Of Tampa Bay offer a wide range of podiatry services, including diagnosis and treatment of heel pain. They have several convenient office locations in Zephyrhills, Sun City Center, Wesley Chapel, Riverview/Apollo Beach, and Valrico, FL.

What You Need to Know about Heel Pain

You can help prevent heel pain by following some easy, important tips. Remember to:

• Always wear the appropriate, supportive shoes for the activity you are doing
• Discard old, worn-out shoes which don’t provide enough support
• Avoid walking around barefoot
• Wear heel cushions in your shoes, especially if you walk or stand on hard surfaces for long periods

If you are experiencing mild heel pain, you can try:

• Elevating and resting your heel several times daily
• Stretching your arches several times daily
• Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication

For moderate to severe, recurrent heel pain, you should visit an expert-your podiatrist. Professional treatments for heel pain include:

• Custom-made orthotics and footwear to provide heel support
• Physical therapy and stretches to promote flexibility and prevent stiffness
• Prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling and pain
• Corticosteroid injections around your heel to reduce swelling and pain
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) to break up hard deposits in your heel

Your podiatrist may also perform a gait analysis to determine if your heel pain is caused by a gait issue that can be corrected.

Want to Know More?

To learn more about the causes and treatment of heel pain, call the podiatrists at Total Foot And Ankle Of Tampa Bay. You can reach them in the Zephyrhills, and Wesley Chapel, FL, offices by calling (813) 788-3600, or in Sun City Center, Vairico, and Riverview/Apollo Beach, FL, by calling (813) 633-5900, so call today.