Conditions and injuries ranging from plantar fasciitis and bursitis to fractures and bone spurs can cause heel pain. Grand Central Podiatry: Ernest Levi, DPM, diagnoses and treats heel pain at offices bordering East and West Midtown Manhattan in New York City. As an experienced foot doctor and podiatric surgeon, Dr. Levi specializes in addressing the causes of heel pain so that you can walk without pain. Call Grand Central Podiatry: Ernest Levi, DPM, today at (212) 685-5100 or book an appointment online for a heel pain assessment.
request an appointmentWhat causes heel pain?
Leading causes of heel pain include:
Plantar fasciitis
This condition is the most common cause of heel pain. It happens when the plantar fascia (tissue connecting your heel bone to the ball of your foot) overstretches. The result is pain and inflammation that’s most severe first thing in the morning.
The leading causes of plantar fasciitis include undue stress from physical activity, excess body weight, and improper footwear. Without treatment, plantar fasciitis can become a long-term problem.
Heel spurs
Plantar fasciitis can cause heel spurs to grow on the heel bone. These calcium deposits form because of repeated stress on the heel bone. They can be but aren’t necessarily painful.
Bursitis
This painful inflammation affects the bursa sac that lubricates and cushions the area where the Achilles tendon and heel bone meet.
Haglund’s deformity
This bony enlargement at the back of your heel is usually caused by wearing high-heeled shoes.
Injuries
Heel bone injuries like fractures and bone bruises cause swelling, sharp pain, and an inability to bear weight on the heel.
What other foot pain conditions might affect my heels?
Other problems that affect the foot include:
Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis. It develops when hardened uric acid crystals in your bloodstream build up in the joints. While most common in the big toe, gout can sometimes affect the heel bone. Symptoms include swelling, pain, tenderness, and redness that occasionally gets worse at night.
Gait abnormalities
How you walk (your gait) can cause foot pain and increase your risk of heel pain. A typical example is excessive pronation, where your ankle rolls too far inward. This abnormal angle stretches the ligaments and tendons, putting undue pressure on your heel bone.
Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis develops when the Achilles tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone strains or stretches abnormally. This causes pain and inflammation where the Achilles tendon attaches to your heel bone.
Causes of forefoot pain include bunions, Morton’s neuroma, and hammertoe.
What treatment does heel pain require?
In most cases, Dr. Levi uses conservative heel pain treatments, including:
- Taping
- Strapping
- Custom-fitted orthotics (shoe inserts)
- Physical therapy
- Footwear changes
- Steroid injections
- Multiwave locked system (MLS) laser therapy
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
You’re unlikely to need surgery for heel pain, but if you do, Dr. Levi is a skilled podiatric surgeon.
Call Grand Central Podiatry: Ernest Levi, DPM, today at (212) 685-5100 or book an appointment online for effective heel pain treatment.