3 Common Causes of Heel Pain (and How We Can Help)

Heel pain is a common complaint among people from all walks of life. If heel pain is becoming more difficult to manage, it’s important that you find out what’s causing it so you don’t put  yourself at risk for more serious problems.

At Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons in Peoria, Arizona, we offer exceptional heel care for adults and kids. Our office is fully equipped with advanced diagnostics to identify the source of your heel pain.

Board-certified podiatrist Kaveh Panahi, DPM, and our team personalize a care plan to ease your existing pain and protect the long-term health of your feet and ankles.

3 reasons you might have heel pain

Heel pain can stem from an unexpected injury such as a car accident or a sports-related fracture. You might also be susceptible to heel pain because of chronic issues that occur from repetitive use of your feet.

Three of the most common types of chronic heel conditions that trigger persistent pain include:

1. Plantar fasciitis

Your plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to your toes. Repetitive movements can stress the tissue and cause small tears to form in the ligament, leading to plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis causes inflammation in the bottom of your foot and persistent heel pain that makes walking difficult.

2. Achilles tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis occurs when your Achilles tendon, the tissue that connects your heel bone to your calf muscle, becomes strained.

A tendon strain leads to swelling, stiffness, and pain in the back of your heel.

3. Stress fractures

Stress fractures describe small fractures on the bone that occur with high-impact, physical activity like running, jogging, and jumping.

Stress fractures cause pain in your heel and other parts of your feet, depending on the location of the fracture. Ignoring a fracture can lead to a worsening of the break and the need for surgical repair.

Luckily, many causes of heel pain are treatable with nonsurgical strategies when identified early. Dr. Panahi recommends that you schedule a diagnostic evaluation for heel pain that persists for several days, even with rest and other home care strategies.

Nonsurgical therapies for heel pain

Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons provides customized solutions for heel pain relief. We focus on the least invasive treatment to heal the underlying cause of pain, so you can get back to your usual activities without a lot of downtime.

In addition to rest and activity modifications, we can recommend treatments like:

• Physical therapy
• Bracing or taping
• Oral pain relievers
• Steroid injections

Mild stress fractures can often heal on their own with rest and the use of a protective boot. If you have multiple fractures or a fracture that’s severe, we discuss your options for surgery to repair and stabilize the damaged bone. Dr. Panahi uses the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques, so you can heal quickly with less bleeding and pain.

We also specialize in custom orthotics, shoe inserts that provide additional support for your heels, toes, and ankles. If you play sports, Dr. Panahi can suggest the appropriate footwear to minimize your risk of foot and ankle injuries.

Educational resources are also available to help you improve your foot and ankle health, so you can stay physically active and pain-free.

Contact Acacia Foot and Ankle Foot Surgeons in Peoria, Arizona, today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for heel pain. Call us at 623-439-2200 or book a consultation online.