Heel Pain Specialist

What causes heel pain?

If you experience pain in your heels when you get out of bed in the morning, you may have plantar fasciitis. This condition causes heel pain as a result of inflammation in your plantar fascia — the band of tissue in your foot that extends from your toes to your heel. When the fascia becomes irritated and inflamed as a result of structural problems in your feet, you can experience nagging heel pain that’s usually worse after not standing for a long period of time. Typical causes of plantar fasciitis include:

• Flat feet
• High arches
• Wearing unsupportive footwear
• Standing on hard, flat surfaces for long periods of time

If plantar fasciitis goes untreated, you may develop heel spurs — calcium deposits — on your heel bone, which can make the condition even more painful.

Another common cause of heel pain is Achilles tendonitis. With this condition, pain is usually in the back of your heel and is the result of overuse or an injury to your Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your heel bone. Achilles tendonitis is a common condition for runners, and like plantar fasciitis, could result in bone spurs if left untreated.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis?

Pain and swelling on the bottom of your heel or in the arch of your foot are common symptoms of plantar fasciitis. You may also experience swelling on the bottom of your heel and pain that continues to worsen as time goes on. If your heel pain is the result of Achilles tendonitis, you’ll typically experience:

• Pain above your heel or in the back of your leg after running or playing sports
• Pain after climbing stairs
• Tenderness or stiffness in your heel or calf that improves as you move

If your pain doesn’t improve with rest, stretching, and wearing proper shoes, you may need to make an appointment with the experts at Wake Forest Foot and Ankle to diagnose the cause and find an effective treatment.

What are my treatment options for relieving heel pain?

Your podiatrist will likely take an X-ray to first determine the cause of your heel pain or to rule out other conditions. If your heel pain is the result of plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis, your provider may recommend physical therapy, special exercises, and rest to help relieve your pain.

Additionally, your provider may recommend custom-made orthotics to provide better support for your feet, especially if you stand for long periods of time at your job. If more conservative efforts don’t relieve your heel pain, your podiatrist may suggest surgical treatment.

To get relief from heel pain, book an appointment online or over the phone with Wake Forest Foot and Ankle today.