When you are suffering from heel pain in Needham, MA, you can count on Dr. Michael Mitry, a board certified podiatrist and member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and Dr. Christopher Karter of Advanced Podiatry of Needham. His full service practice is equipped to treat a variety of conditions from the simplest to the most complex surgeries.
Heel pain in Needham, MA can be caused by more than one condition. All of them, however, are treatable. You just need to get in to see a podiatrist for a diagnosis. For most people, the pain starts small and gets increasingly severe. In 2/3 of cases, it is only in one heel.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis regularly causes heel pain. The plantar fascia is a thin ligament that supports the arch of the foot. This ligament runs along the bottom of the foot. It takes a lot of stress from running or just walking and when it becomes irritated it can cause severe pain. This condition affects more than 2 million people every year and is often caused by an increase in normal activity or repetitious activities. Most people can recover from this without surgery by resting, changing their activities, doing stretch exercises, getting physical therapy, using ice and getting custom orthotics. For 10%, this won't be enough and surgery will be required.
Heel spur
A heel spur is a bony growth of calcium that accumulates on the bottom of the heel. The spurs are often pointy and headed toward the arch of the foot and the plantar fascia. Your podiatrist may want to take an x-ray to make sure exactly what is going on in your heel. Pain in the heel may be caused by a heel spur, but some people don't have any pain from them. Being overweight, female and aging are some of the common reasons for developing them. To help with the pain, use ice, rest, take anti-inflammatory medication, receive steroid shots and custom orthotics. If nothing helps, surgery may be the only option.
Achilles Tendonitis
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle with the back of the heel bone. The inflammation is usually caused by over use and can be very painful. The tendonitis responds to ice, rest, stretching exercises, NSAIDs, cortisone shots and custom orthotics. It is a more serious condition if the tendon ruptures.
Contact Dr. Mitry or Dr. Karter at Advanced Podiatry of Needham when you are suffering from heel pain in Needham, MA. You can reach us on the phone at (781) 444-4044 or use the form on our website. Don't suffer another day. Let us help you have a pain-free heel.