Every year, millions of Americans visit the podiatrist due to heel pain. Often, it’s a result of plantar fasciitis, but heel pain can also occur due to sports-related injuries, arthritis, or a fracture. At Katy Foot & Ankle, PLLC, Nicolas Manriquez, DPM, FACFAS, uses both conservative and surgical techniques to manage heel pain. To make an appointment at the practice in Katy, Texas, call the office and speak to a friendly team member or book online.
Heel pain refers to stiffness, discomfort, or swelling that affects the area at the back of your foot just beneath the ankle. It typically ranges in severity depending on the underlying cause.
Most types of heel pain respond to at-home treatments like ice, rest, and elevation. If your symptoms persist or interfere with your ability to work or exercise, don’t wait to seek professional help.
Common causes of heel pain include:
You might also experience heel pain due to a degenerative condition like osteoarthritis or post-traumatic arthritis.
If you experience heel pain, try resting your feet or taking over-the-counter pain medication. If your pain continues to bother you for more than a week or two, contact Katy Foot & Ankle, PLLC. That’s especially true if your pain is severe, occurs suddenly, or prevents you from walking or other normal activities.
To diagnose heel pain, the team at Katy Foot & Ankle, PLLC examines your heel and asks about your symptoms. Then, they gently press on your heel to pinpoint areas of swelling, sensitivity, or warmth. Afterward, they have you walk around the exam room and perform a series of easy exercises. That allows them to observe your gait and posture.
If the team suspects an underlying problem like a fracture or arthritis is the source of your discomfort, they might also order X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI.
The team at Katy Foot & Ankle, PLLC recommends conservative treatment for heel pain whenever possible. After pinpointing the cause of your symptoms, they might recommend:
If none of these measures provide relief, the team might recommend heel surgery, but only as a last resort. That’s because surgery takes a long time to recover from and may not always relieve the pain.
To receive treatment for heel pain, make an appointment at Katy Foot & Ankle, PLLC. Click the online booking tool, or call to speak with the administrative team today.