Heel Pain

Everyone experiences heel pain from time to time, but if your symptoms continue for more than a few days or affect your routine, it’s vital to seek treatment. At Podo Care Foot & Ankle in Ashburn, Virginia, board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon Anchal Dureja, DPM, offers minimally invasive treatments for heel pain, including custom orthotics, physical therapy, and prescription footwear. Call the office today to receive treatment for heel pain, or make your appointment online.

What is heel pain?

Heel pain occurs at the back of your foot, just below your ankle. Often, it’s due to traumatic injury or general wear-and-tear, but it can also point to a more serious underlying health problem.

Anyone can experience heel pain, but it’s most common in athletes and people who spend lots of time on their feet. Fortunately, various treatments can provide lasting relief.

What causes heel pain?

Podo Care Foot & Ankle treats heel pain from a variety of causes, including:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Sports injuries, like strains and sprains
• Fractures
• Achilles tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Osteochondrosis (a common cause of heel pain in kids and teens)
• Arthritis

In some cases, heel pain occurs because of ankylosing spondylitis, a musculoskeletal condition that causes inflammation of the vertebrae.

Should I see a podiatrist about heel pain?

Make an appointment at Podo Care Foot & Ankle if you have heel pain that starts suddenly or is severe. That’s particularly true if your pain occurs alongside other symptoms, like redness, swelling in your heel, or difficulty walking. 

How is heel pain diagnosed?

Your Podo Care Foot & Ankle provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including where the pain occurs, what it feels like, and if it’s worse at certain times, like when you first wake up.

Next, they complete an exam, looking at your heel for redness, swelling, or bruising. Your provider presses on your heel and the bottom of your foot to identify sensitive spots and asks you to walk a few steps on your heels.

Last, your provider orders X-rays to check for fractures, bone spurs, and other underlying problems that might cause your symptoms.

How is heel pain treated?

Podo Care Foot & Ankle treats heel pain with a conservative and minimally invasive approach whenever possible. Your podiatrist may recommend:

• Resting the affected foot
• Applying ice several times a day
• Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine
• Wearing shoes that fit properly
• Wearing a night splint
• Using heel lifts, shoe inserts, or custom orthotics

If your heel pain continues after taking these steps, you may qualify for podiatry surgery. Podo Care Foot & Ankle regularly performs surgery using a minimally invasive or traditional open approach.

Call Podo Care Foot & Ankle today to learn more about the treatment of heel pain, or book your appointment online.