What causes heel pain?

You have over two dozen bones that make up each of your feet and ankles, and of those bones, your heel bone is the largest. It’s also the first to strike the ground with every step you take, in addition to being responsible for supporting your entire body weight, making it susceptible to pain.

But heel pain isn’t always directly related to the bone itself. It’s tied to multiple connective tissues, like tendons and ligaments, that could be to blame. If you’re experiencing heel pain, it might be a sign of:

• Heel spur
• Bone bruise
• Stress fracture
• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendonitis

Your heel pain could also be caused by ill-fitting footwear. For instance, if you like to walk or run for exercise, but your gym shoes just aren’t supportive enough, you can wind up with added stress on your heel and consequent pain.

Do I need to see a podiatrist for heel pain?

Yes! Even if your heel pain doesn’t seem like a major concern now, with each step you take, it may worsen. The podiatrists at Optima Foot and Ankle have extensive training in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect your feet and ankles so that you can experience relief.

Their dedicated team of podiatrists encourages you to come in for an evaluation as soon as possible if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms in or around your heel:

• Redness
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Ankle instability
• Difficulty bearing weight on your foot

Your dedicated podiatrist at Optima Foot and Ankle can gather any essential diagnostic imaging you may need right in the office so that you can get started on treatment often the same day.

Can I get relief from heel pain?

Absolutely. With the help of the top-rated podiatrists at Optima Foot and Ankle, you can expect relief, even from the most complex case of heel pain. After diagnosing the cause of your pain, your podiatrist sits and talks with you about your treatment options.

Optima Foot and Ankle specializes in holistic foot and ankle treatments, which may include:

• Regular icing
• Physical therapy
• Injection therapy
• Custom orthotics
• Shoe modifications
• Daily stretching exercises
• Padding, taping, and strapping
• Immobilization devices, such as a walking boot or night splints

If conservative treatments aren’t effective for your case of heel pain, you may need surgical correction. But no matter which treatment is right for you, the team of podiatrists at Optima Foot and Ankle is dedicated to helping you find the relief you deserve.

Before your heel pain progresses any further, see how the team at Optima Foot and Ankle can help. Call the nearest office to schedule an appointment, or book online today.