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Heel Pain
More than two million Americans experience heel pain every year, and it’s a problem that affects people of all ages and gender. Heel pain can prevent you from enjoying daily activities and cause frequent pain and discomfort. If you suffer from heel pain and need help determining your treatment options, dual board-certified foot and ankle podiatric surgeon E. Giannin Perez, DPM, FACFAS, at Flex Foot and Ankle in the Midtown Manhattan area of New York City, can help. She happily talks with you about your condition and options to relieve your symptoms. Call the office or book your appointment online today.
Heel Pain Q & A
What causes heel pain?
Heel pain commonly occurs due to plantar fasciitis, the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that connects your heel to your toes, and Achilles tendinitis, aching and swelling of the tendons that connect the muscle in the back of your calf to your heel bone.
Other causes of heel pain include:
- Heel spur
- Bursitis
- Reactive arthritis
- Sarcoidosis
- Stress fractures
- Paget’s disease of bone
- Bone tumors
- Arthritis
A common cause of heel pain in children is apophysitis, or Sever’s disease, which is inflammation of the growth plate.
What are the risk factors for heel pain?
Regularly putting pressure and strain on your feet can result in heel pain. However, you may increase your chance of experiencing heel pain due to risk factors such as:
- Obesity
- Arthritis in the foot or ankle
- Participating in sports or intense exercise
- Wearing shoes without proper arch support or cushioning
- Flat feet
- High arched foot
- Tightness of the Achilles tendon
The way you walk and the structure of your foot also affect the likelihood of experiencing heel pain. To prevent such discomfort, schedule a visit with Dr. Perez at Flex Foot and Ankle to learn about proper exercises and custom orthotics to support your feet.
How do I prevent heel pain?
Explore preventive methods to avoid heel pain or keep existing heel pain from getting worse. Stretching regularly, wearing shoes that fit you properly, and having sufficient arch support can help prevent severe heel pain.
If you frequently run or participate in other intense activities, make sure to allow your body to rest and ice your legs, ankles, and feet regularly.
How do you treat heel pain?
At Flex Foot and Ankle, Dr. Perez takes a conservative approach to help her patients relieve their heel pain. She evaluates your gait and performs a biomechanical exam to assess how your foot functions when touching the ground and the effect on your limbs.
Treatments options include:
- Stretching
- Steroid injections
- Custom orthotics
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Taping
- Physical therapy
If left untreated, your heel pain could worsen and cause severe swelling in your foot or heel, making it difficult to walk or move your foot.
Call Flex Foot and Ankle in Midtown Manhattan or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment with Dr. Perez and find the relief you need.