Heel Pain

HEEL PAIN SPECIALIST

Foot and Ankle Specialist & Podiatric Surgeon in Midtown Manhattan, New York, NY

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.

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Heel Pain Q&A

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.

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.

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.

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: