Heel Pain

What causes heel pain?

Heel pain can develop after an injury to your heel that causes a bone fracture or a soft tissue injury. You may also experience heel pain from conditions like:

Heel spur

A heel spur is a bony growth that develops on the underside of your heel. Spurs can result from ligament sprains and muscle strains due to biomechanical imbalances, sports injuries, or poor-fitting shoes.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis occurs when there’s inflammation or tears in the band of connective tissue (plantar fascia) that connects your toes to your heel bone. Overuse injuries from running or high-impact sports are a common trigger for plantar fasciitis.

Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis describes inflammation in the Achilles tendon that runs behind your ankle and connects to your heel bone. Frequent walking and running can stretch the tendon too far, leading to small tears that cause tissue inflammation.

Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists of Arizona offers comprehensive care for heel pain in adults and children. The podiatry team uses X-rays and other advanced technologies in the office to identify heel spurs and other causes of heel pain. 

How is heel pain treated?

Treating heel pain that results from muscle or ligament damage may include anti-inflammatories and pain-relieving medications at first. Physical therapy and at-home exercises can also increase the flexibility of the soft tissues that support your heel.

Your Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists of Arizona provider may also recommend taping your heel, modifying your activities, and resting when it hurts.

If you have severe pain from plantar fasciitis, you may be a candidate for surgery. The board-certified surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to release an overly tight plantar fascia, remove a heel spur, or repair tears in soft tissues.

How can I prevent heel pain?

Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists of Arizona provides resources to protect against future pain. In addition to treating underlying conditions that contribute to pain, your podiatrist may also recommend strategies like:

• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Wearing shoes that fit well
• Avoiding high heels or thin-soled shoes
• Properly warming up before exercising or playing sports

They can also prescribe custom orthotics that provide extra cushioning and support for your heel.

Call Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists of Arizona today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for heel pain, or book an appointment online.