Heel Pain

Heel pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint, but if your symptoms keep you from work, exercise, or other things you love, identifying the cause is essential. At Bluestone Podiatry, board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon Kurt Relation, DPM, offers complete care for heel pain. After identifying the cause of your discomfort, he can make recommendations to help you get back on your feet.

Call Bluestone Podiatry today to schedule an appointment, or book your visit online.

When should I see a podiatrist about heel pain?

Schedule a visit with Dr. Relation at Bluestone Podiatry if you have heel pain or swelling that doesn’t improve with rest, ice, and over-the-counter medication. That’s particularly true if the pain occurs alongside other symptoms, like tingling, numbness, and difficulty walking.

Most heel pain isn’t serious, but it’s good to have it checked out. Certain conditions, like plantar fasciitis, worsen over time, so intervention and treatment are important.

What are common causes of heel pain?

At Bluestone Podiatry, Dr. Relation treats heel pain with various causes, including:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinitis
• Bone spurs
• Sever’s disease
• Bursitis
• Inflamed tendons
• Haglund’s deformity
• Bone bruise

Sometimes, heel pain results from trauma, like a crush fracture or stress fracture.

How does a board-certified podiatrist diagnose heel pain?

Dr. Relation reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including where the pain occurs, what it feels like, and whether it’s worse at certain times or during certain activities.

Dr. Relation examines the bottom and sides of your heel, checking for redness, swelling, and bruising. He asks you to walk around the exam room to observe your gait and gently presses on your heel and the surrounding skin to identify sensitive places.

Most causes of heel pain are easy to diagnose, but if Dr. Relation suspects an underlying injury, like a fracture or arthritis, he orders X-rays to get a closer look at your heel bone.

How does a board-certified podiatrist treat heel pain?

At Bluestone Podiatry, Dr. Relation treats heel pain with a conservative and minimally invasive approach. He might suggest:

• At-home stretching exercises
• Athletic tape to support your heel
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Rest and Ice
• Immobilization
• Night splints
• Physical therapy
• Custom orthotics
• Corticosteroid injections
• Shockwave therapy such as EPAT/ESWT

Most causes of heel pain improve with a combination of these treatments, but if your symptoms continue or worsen, you might benefit from surgery.

What is the outlook for heel pain?

Heel pain often improves with activity changes and conservative treatments, but you shouldn’t rush the process. Returning to sports or other activities too quickly can exacerbate your injury.

Carefully follow Dr. Relation’s instructions and listen to your body. Most people heal within 3-6 months and often sooner.

Call us today to explore heel pain treatment, or book your visit online.