HEEL PAIN

Heel pain, while quite common, can be extremely uncomfortable and painful if not met with proper care or treatment. This may occur if you injure or overuse the heel. If left uncared for, the affected area may worsen, limiting your mobility and making it difficult to perform everyday activities, such as walking.

There are many different causes of heel pain, including strains or sprains, tarsal tunnel syndrome, stress fractures, Achilles tendonitis, and heel bursitis. One of the most common causes for children and teenagers specifically is Sever’s disease. Sever’s disease can develop due to overuse or repetitive microtrauma of the heel bone’s growth plates. This condition is often seen among those who are active in sporting activities.

Other causes may include issues with poor circulation, poor posture when walking or running, a soft tissue mass, and a rupture of the Achilles tendon. To help ease the discomfort, it’s advised that you get plenty of rest, apply ice to the affected area, and wear shoes that fit properly. In some more serious cases, a podiatrist might recommend the use of custom orthotics or shoe inserts for extra support.

FAQ for Heel Pain

What causes heel pain?

• Heel pain can be caused by multiple issues but the most common causes are plantar fasciitis, bursitis and insertional achilles tendinopathy/tenosynovitis, more commonly referred to as achilles tendonitis.

How do I know if I have plantar fasciitis?

• The best way to tell is through a thorough exam. Some common symptoms of plantar fasciitis are pain when you get out of bed in the morning or pain when rising from a period of rest.

How do I fix my heel pain?

• Basics are always a good starting point. RICE therapy (Rest, Ice Compression and Elevation) can help. Basic ankle stretching exercises also play a big role in reducing the pain. Past that, your best bets for resolution of your pain are seeing an expert like one of our providers!

How long does it take for plantar fasciitis to go away?

• This varies case to case as every individual is different. We like to say a good rule of thumb is that however long the pain has been present is usually how long it will take to go away. Foot pain is hard to treat because feet are hard to rest. If you’ve ever used crutches, you know what we mean. We try to employ the latest and best advances in rehabilitative therapy to get the pain gone for you as quickly as possible.

Fun Fact: Both Dr. Niehaus and Dr. Repko have suffered from heel pain. They have felt your pain and frustration. Their recommendations, advice and treatment come from a place of quite literally how they have treated themselves!

If you’re experiencing heel pain, we recommend you consult with a podiatrist as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.