Heel Pain

Almost everyone experiences heel pain occasionally, but if your symptoms affect your mobility or quality of life, it’s crucial to determine the underlying cause. At Mayfair Foot Care in Commack, New York, podiatrists Edward Buro, DPM, Christine Peterson, DPM, and Rosario Saccomanno, DPM, provide nonsurgical management for various types of heel pain, including plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. Call the office or book online for a heel pain consultation today. 

What is heel pain?

Heel pain is discomfort or aching that occurs at the back of your foot beneath your heel bone. Your heels experience daily wear-and-tear, so it’s common to have heel pain every once in a while. The pain often improves with rest and anti-inflammatory medication, but if your pain persists, seek treatment.

What causes heel pain?

Mayfair Foot Care treats heel pain caused by various things, including:

• Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar fascia)
• Sprains
• Strains
• Fractures
• Achilles tendonitis
• Osteochondrosis (a group of disorders that affect bone growth in children)
• Sports injuries

You might also experience heel pain because of arthritis, a group of diseases that cause joint inflammation.

When should I seek treatment for heel pain?

Make an appointment at Mayfair Foot Care if you have heel pain and it doesn’t improve with at-home treatments, like rest, ice, and elevation. That’s especially true if the pain develops suddenly, occurs alongside swelling, or affects your ability to stand or walk.

How is heel pain diagnosed?

Your Mayfair Foot Care provider reviews your health charts and asks about your symptoms, including when the pain started, what it feels like, and if it extends into your lower leg or other parts of your body.

Next, your provider examines your heel. They look for redness, bruising, and swelling and gently press on your heel to identify sensitive areas. Your provider also has you walk around the exam room, observing the way you walk. Then, they order diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI, checking for fractures, dislocated joints, or damage to the soft tissues.

How is heel pain treated?

Treatment of heel pain depends on the cause and the symptoms you’re experiencing. Mayfair Foot Care typically takes a nonsurgical approach, they might recommend:

• Getting plenty of rest
• Icing your heel several times a day
• Taking over-the-counter pain medicine
• Wearing shoes that fit properly
• Wearing a night splint
• Custom orthotics
• Activity modification

If your symptoms continue or worsen, the team might recommend physical therapy. Physical therapy can strengthen the tendons and muscles in your foot, relieving pain and restoring your range of motion.

Call Mayfair Foot Care to explore the treatment options for heel pain today or book online.