Isn’t it time you nipped your heel pain in the bud and got back to what really matters?

You would love to go for a run but your heels are screaming in pain telling you not to move another inch. Heel pain is no joke, as anyone who has experienced it will tell you. If heel pain has you stranded on the sofa then it’s time our Port Washington, NY, podiatrist Dr. Arthur Kaplan gave you some information about heel pain causes and when you should visit his office for care.

There are many issues that can be responsible for causing heel pain so it’s rather difficult to be able to pinpoint the cause without first coming to see us for an evaluation. Heel pain is a very common issue and two of the most common causes include plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Even though heel pain can be pretty miserable, it rarely poses a threat to your foot health. Pain may be mild and go away on its own while some forms may be more chronic.

Other causes of heel pain include:

• Heel spurs
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Heel pad inflammation
• Stress fracture
• Severs disease (most often found in teen and child athletes)

Less common causes of heel pain are:

• Bone cysts
• Neuroma
• Gout
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Osteomyelitis
• Neuroma
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Rheumatoid arthritis

As you can see, there are so many different things that could be causing your heel pain so it’s important for you to come in for a physical exam so that our Port Washington foot doctor can pinpoint the cause.

When should I see a doctor?

Not all issues warrant trips to your doctor and so it might seem difficult to determine when you should care for your feet on your own and when you might need expert care. You should visit us if you have heel pain that makes it difficult to walk or stand, or if your heel pain has been going on for more than one week.

Common treatment options for heel pain include:

• Over-the-counter pain medications
• Avoiding certain activities
• Elevating the foot
• Bracing the foot
• Stretching and strengthening foot exercises
• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment
• Prescription medications and/or corticosteroid injections (for more stubborn bouts of heel pain that don’t respond to OTC pain relievers)

Rarely is surgery necessary to handle your heel pain. Surgery is often the very last resort when no other treatments have been successful.

Don’t let heel pain dictate what you can and can’t do. Call NY Sports Podiatry in Port Washington, NY, to get the care your feet need so that you can get back to your running routine again soon.