Dealing with heel pain? Find out what could be going on.

Heel pain keeping you from the things you love? If so, it may be time to turn to our Gainesville, VA, podiatrists Dr. Mukesh Bhakta, Dr. Anam Ali and the team at Prince William Foot & Ankle Center. Whether this is your first time dealing with heel pain or you simply want to make sure that your feet are getting the care they deserve, our team can help you get back on your feet.

We see heel pain a lot in our line of work, and while there are several reasons why you might be dealing with heel pain, here are the two most usual suspects,

Plantar fasciitis: This condition is characterized by microtears in the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs the length of the feet along the soles. When microtears develop this leads to inflammation and pain located under the heels and along the arches.

Achilles tendonitis: Both overuse and trauma can lead to inflammation of the Achilles tendon, better known as Achilles tendonitis. This is the largest and strongest tendon in the body and it’s located right above the heel, connecting the calf to the heel bone. If you notice pain at the back of the heel chances are good that it could be your Achilles that’s acting up.

Other causes of heel pain include,

• A stress fracture
• Heel bursitis
• Heel spur
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome

When to See a Doctor

If you aren’t sure what is going on and why you are experiencing heel pain then it’s best to play it safe and visit our Gainesville, VA, podiatrist for a proper diagnosis. Only then can we create the right treatment plan for you. You should schedule an evaluation with us if,

• Your heel pain is severe or persistent
• There is severe swelling of the heel
• You notice numbness or tingling in the foot
• You can’t put weight on the foot
• You are experiencing symptoms of infection (e.g. redness; skin that’s warm to the touch; fever).

Treating Heel Pain

Both plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis can often be treated effectively with simple home care. It’s important that you rest and avoid high-impact exercises such as running, which can make the problem worse. The goal of at-home care will be to reduce your symptoms until microtears have healed and the inflammation is gone. Ways to treat your heel pain include,

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Ice packs
• Exercises and stretches
• Wearing custom orthotics and supportive shoes

If symptoms persist for over a week or get worse then we may need to consider other more aggressive treatment options. If heel pain is severe or recurring other ways to treat the issue include,

• Shockwave therapy
• Steroid injections
• Ultrasound therapy
• Surgery (rare)

Looking for a podiatrist in Gainesville, VA, that is well versed in treating heel pain? If so, you’ve come to the right place. To schedule an evaluation with our podiatrists Dr. Bhakta and Dr. Ali, call Prince William Foot & Ankle Center today at (703) 753-3338.