Heel Pain - Plantar Fasciitis

More than 2 million Americans experience heel pain every year, and it’s one of the most common issues Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons treats. Led by Kaveh Panahi, DPM, the practice offers exceptional heel pain care for patients of all ages in Peoria and Phoenix, Arizona. Whether you have plantar fasciitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, or a stress fracture, the expert providers offer unique treatments to fit your needs. 

What is the Most Common Cause of Heel Pain? 

You may experience heel pain behind the heel, beneath the heel, or within the heel bone itself. Several conditions can lead to heel pain. The most common cause of heel pain is called Plantar Fasciitis which typically affects the bottom part of the heel.

Plantar Fasciitis 

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, resulting from inflammation of the plantar fascia — a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. Patients often describe a sharp, stabbing pain with the first steps in the morning or after periods of rest. The condition typically develops from overuse, poor foot biomechanics, unsupportive footwear, or tight calf muscles, and can become chronic if not properly addressed.

At Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons, we offer a comprehensive and individualized approach to treating plantar fasciitis. Conservative management begins with a combination of targeted physical therapy, stretching routines, and custom orthotics to support the arch and offload pressure from the fascia. For more acute or inflamed cases, we may administer corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and inflammation. When symptoms persist despite conservative care, we offer advanced minimally invasive surgical options, including endoscopic plantar fasciotomy — a technique that releases tension in the fascia through tiny incisions using a camera-guided instrument. In cases where tight calf muscles contribute to the problem, we may recommend a minimally invasive gastrocnemius recession, which lengthens the calf muscle to relieve pressure on the plantar fascia. These procedures promote faster recovery, minimal scarring, and high rates of long-term pain relief.

Read More About Plantar Fasciitis. 

What are Conservative & Nonsurgical Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis?

Dr. Panahi may first recommend several nonsurgical methods to treat your heel pain, including: Rest, Ice, New shoes, Pain & anti-inflammatory medications, Physical therapy, Bracing or splints, Taping, Steroid injections, custom orthotics, potective boots (for stress fractures or ligamentous tears), or advanced non-surgical treatments and procedures. The practice reserves surgical procedures for patients who don’t find relief with conservative, nonsurgical care.

Orthotics

We offer both state-of-the-art custom and high-quality over-the-counter orthotics right in our office, using advanced 3D scanning technology for precise foot mapping. These orthotics are designed to provide optimal support, improve foot alignment, and reduce pressure points—especially beneficial for patients dealing with heel pain from plantar fasciitis or flat feet. By restoring proper biomechanics, they help relieve discomfort, improve stability, and support long-term foot health.

Administration of Corticosteroid 

For patients with persistent heel pain, we offer corticosteroid injections as an effective in-office treatment option. These injections deliver powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected area, helping to quickly reduce pain and swelling—particularly in conditions like plantar fasciitis. While often used as part of a broader treatment plan, steroid injections can provide significant short-term relief and allow patients to resume normal activities more comfortably. Our team carefully evaluates each case to determine if this option is appropriate and discusses potential risks and benefits with you beforehand.

Physical Therapy

In addition to in-office care, we offer comprehensive home and professional physical therapy solutions tailored to help treat and manage heel pain. Our guided home exercise programs are specifically designed to stretch and strengthen the foot and calf muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce strain on the plantar fascia. These evidence-based routines complement in-office treatments and are ideal for promoting healing and preventing recurrence of conditions like plantar fasciitis. For more complex cases, we can also coordinate professional physical therapy referrals to ensure a well-rounded recovery plan.

Advanced Non-Surgical Option

We also offer advanced, non-surgical treatment options designed to stimulate the body’s natural healing response and support long-term relief from heel pain. These therapies are ideal for patients seeking alternatives to surgery, with minimal downtime. To learn more about these innovative solutions and how they may benefit you, please visit our pages on Radial Shockwave Therapy and Advanced Non-Surgical Options.

What are surgical treatment for heel pain?

Before recommending surgery, Dr. Panahi performs a thorough exam, orders an X-ray, and may suggest other advanced imaging including MRI. 

Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy and Endoscopic Gastrocnemius Recession procedures are two advanced, minimally invasive procedures used to treat chronic heel pain and plantar fasciitis when conservative treatments have failed. Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy involves using a small camera and specialized instruments to release a portion of the tight plantar fascia through a tiny incision, relieving tension and pressure on the heel with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues. Similarly, endoscopic gastrocnemius recession targets tight calf muscles that contribute to excessive strain on the plantar fascia. By lengthening the gastrocnemius muscle through a small incision behind the leg, this procedure improves ankle flexibility and reduces mechanical overload on the heel. Both techniques are designed to offer faster recovery, less post-operative pain, and minimal scarring, allowing patients to return to activity with improved comfort and mobility.

What are Some of the Other Causes of Heel Pain?

Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) : Flatfoot deformity, chronic swelling, arthritis, diabetes, and varicose veins are the most common causes of TTS. Read More About Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Haglund's deformity: Also called a “pump bump,” this is a gradual growth of bone on the back of your heel that becomes painful over time. 

Achilles tendinitis: The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your heel bone — when overused, it can lead to pain, swelling, and stiffness in the back of your heel.

Bursitis: Bursitis can occur if you spend a lot of time on your feet, causing fluid-filled sacs (bursae) to swell. 

Stress fracture: This is a rare condition that usually develops only in patients participating in high-impact activities.

To learn more about heel pain treatment, call Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons today at (623) 439-2200 or schedule an appointment online.