Heel Pain

Heel pain can be a symptom of many foot and ankle problems, from plantar fasciitis to stress fractures and Achilles tendon injuries. If heel pain affects your mobility, contact the team at Montgomery Podiatry in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. The expert podiatrists have extensive experience diagnosing heel pain and using advanced treatments to restore comfort. Call Montgomery Podiatry or schedule an appointment online today to find a solution to your heel pain.

What causes heel pain?

Heel pain affects the bottom of your heel and/or the back of your foot. There are numerous possible causes, including:

• Structural foot or ankle abnormalities
• Bursitis (joint inflammation)
• Achilles tendonitis
• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
• Arthritis
• Stress fractures
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Haglund’s deformity
• Heel spurs
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a leading cause of heel pain on the bottom of your foot. The plantar fascia is a piece of connective tissue running along your sole that supports the arch. You might develop plantar fasciitis if this tissue becomes inflamed.

Activities that could damage the bones and tissues in your heel include putting pressure on your heel with an abnormal gait (how you walk) and high-impact exercise such as running, jogging, and jumping, particularly on hard surfaces. Ill-fitting or unsupportive footwear can also cause or worsen heel pain.

How is heel pain diagnosed?

To diagnose heel pain, the Montgomery Podiatry team performs a physical exam and looks at how you walk. They check your health history, ask about any family history of similar problems, and discuss your symptoms.

After your exam, your podiatrist might order diagnostic images such as X-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan to see the structures inside your foot in more detail.

What treatments are effective for heel pain?

The treatment your podiatrist recommends for heel pain can vary depending on the cause. They prepare a personalized treatment plan for you that could contain various therapies, such as:

• Applying ice to inflamed tissues
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Physical therapy
• Home exercises and stretches
• Padding and strapping
• Custom orthotics (shoe inserts)
• A removable walking cast
• Night splint

It’s important to rest your feet and keep your weight off the heels to give the tissues a chance to heal. Montgomery Podiatry also offers regenerative medicine solutions for plantar fasciitis and several other causes of heel pain. The amniotic injections the team uses contain plenty of substances that help your body heal by promoting tissue repair and growth.

These methods are often successful in resolving heel pain. However, if your condition doesn’t improve, your podiatrist might recommend advanced treatments such as cortisone injections or laser therapy. You might need surgery for more severe or persistent causes of heel pain.

Call Montgomery Podiatry or book an appointment online today to find the cause of your heel pain and an effective solution.