Causes and Treatment Options for Heel Pain

Find out how to get your heel pain under control.heel pain

Is heel pain keeping you from your favorite activities? Not sure the last time you were able to lace up and go for a run without experiencing pain? If heel pain is affecting you then it’s time you turned to our Alexandria, VA, podiatrist, Dr. Angelo Pace, to find out what’s going on so you can nip the problem in the bud and get back to what really matters.

Causes of Heel Pain

There are many reasons someone might develop heel pain. Of course, while this problem can happen to anyone it more commonly occurs in athletes/runners and those who are overweight. The two most common causes of heel pain are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes the plantar fascia, a ligament that runs the length of the feet, to become inflamed and irritated. This is usually not the result of an injury but rather gradual overuse. Of course, if you happen to suddenly increase the intensity or duration of a workout this too can result in plantar fasciitis.

Achilles tendonitis is the result of tiny microtears in the tendon that do not heal properly. Over time, these microtears weaken the tendon and cause pain, swelling, and other problems for the sufferer. Achilles tendonitis causes pain above the heel rather than under it or near the arches like plantar fasciitis does.

Other causes of heel pain include:

  • Heel spur
  • Heel bursitis
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Heel pain inflammation
  • Severs disease
  • Stress fracture
  • Arthritis
  • Poor circulation
  • Bone bruise
  • Bone cyst
  • Morton’s neuroma

Treatment Options

How our Alexandria foot doctor treats your heel pain will depend entirely on the root cause. During your evaluation we will perform a physical evaluation, potentially run imaging tests and ask you questions regarding your heel pain. Once we determine the cause we will create an individualized treatment plan to cater to your needs.

Sometimes simple conservative measures such as over-the-counter pain medications, bracing or splinting, wearing shoe inserts, and resting and icing the heel is enough to manage symptoms until the condition goes away. Other times more aggressive measures such as corticosteroid injections, shockwave therapy or surgery are necessary if symptoms don’t improve with at-home treatment options.

With two offices in Alexandria, VA, Advanced Pace Foot and Ankle Center is here to provide you with the podiatric care you need to get back on your feet. Don’t let heel pain keep you down. Call our office today.