Many people experience heel pain occasionally, but if your symptoms last for more than a few days, it’s vital to seek treatment. At Greenwood Foot Clinic, board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon Mark Lazar, DPM, and his team provide minimally invasive treatments for heel pain. To make an appointment, call our office or request an appointment online today.
Heel pain is discomfort that occurs at the back of your foot. Often, it’s due to general wear-and-tear, but if your symptoms persist or worsen, it may point to a more serious underlying condition.
In most cases, heel pain responds to conservative care, like ice, rest, and elevation. If your symptoms keep you from work or exercise, contact Greenwood Foot Clinic immediately.
Heel pain occurs for various reasons, including:
You might also experience heel pain due to foot and ankle arthritis.
Make an appointment with the team at Greenwood Foot Clinic if you experience foot pain and it doesn’t improve in a few weeks. You might also make an appointment if you have swelling, bruising, or sensitivity that makes it difficult to stand up or place weight on your affected foot.
At Greenwood Foot Clinic, the team diagnoses heel pain during an in-office visit.
Your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when they started, what the pain feels like, and if it's worse at certain times of the day, like after you wake up in the morning.
Next, your provider examines your foot and heel. They look for redness, bruising, or swelling, and gently press on your heel to pinpoint the source of the pain. If necessary, they might also order X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI to get a closer look at the bones, joints, and soft tissues in your feet.
Treatment of heel pain depends on several factors, including the underlying cause, the severity of your symptoms, and their effect on your daily life. The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic might recommend:
If your heel pain doesn’t respond to conservative treatments, the team might recommend surgery. The providers on staff perform traditional open surgery as well as minimally invasive surgery.
To explore the treatment options for chronic heel pain, make an appointment by calling Greenwood Foot Clinic or requesting an appointment online today.