Heel pain is a common foot problem that’s often due to conditions like plantar fasciitis and bone spurs. Prompt treatment for your heel pain offers the best chance of a cure, and the team of podiatrists at Dr. Simon Becker DPM excel in diagnosing and treating heel pain for patients living in the West Orange and Elmwood Park,  areas of New Jersey. If heel pain is affecting your mobility and causing you distress, get the treatment you need by calling Dr. Simon Becker DPM today, or book an appointment using the online form.

request an appointment

Heel Pain

What causes heel pain?

Heel pain could be due to bruising, inflammation, fractures, or severe tendon and ligament injuries. However, the most common causes of heel pain are plantar fasciitis and bone spurs.

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the thick, fibrous band of tissue called the plantar fascia that runs along the bottom of your foot and supports the arch. Bone spurs or osteophytes are bony growths that form on the heel, very often in response to an injury or repetitive trauma. Many people have heel spurs without feeling any pain, but they can cause symptoms similar to those of plantar fasciitis.

Other potential causes of heel pain include:

  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Arthritis
  • Gout
  • Circulatory problems
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Stress fractures
  • Heel pad bruise
  • Fat pad atrophy
  • Haglund’s syndrome
  • Heel bursitis
  • Sinus tarsi syndrome

Being overweight, muscle tightness or imbalances, and bone deformities can contribute to heel pain as well. It’s also important to warm up and train properly when exercising to avoid heel pain.

It’s important to find the cause of your heel pain promptly by visiting Dr. Simon Becker DPM when you first experience symptoms. Treating heel pain in the early stages is more likely to result in positive outcomes using conservative approaches.

How is heel pain diagnosed?

Your podiatrist at Dr. Simon Becker DPM first examines your foot and goes over your medical history, discussing your symptoms with you in detail.

This might be enough to provide a diagnosis of the cause of your heel pain, or you may need to undergo additional diagnostic tests such as an X-ray, CT (computed tomography) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, or bone scan.

A detailed diagnosis provides your podiatrist with the information they need to create a treatment plan that optimizes your outcomes and relieves your heel pain effectively.

What treatments are available for heel pain?

In the first instance, it’s advisable to rest the painful heel and apply ice packs until you’re able to visit Dr. Simon Becker DPM. Treatment for heel pain depends on the cause, but might include:

  • Taping the foot
  • Exercises
  • Physical therapy
  • Splints
  • Heel wedges
  • Arch supports
  • Custom orthotics
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
  • Cortisone injections

Your podiatrist uses conservative approaches wherever possible to resolve your heel pain, but if treatment isn’t relieving your pain, they might suggest surgery.

The team at Dr. Simon Becker DPM also offers the innovative Tenex Health TX™ procedure, a minimally invasive option for treating plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.

Don’t struggle on with heel pain, as it’s almost certain to get worse without treatment. You also risk permanent damage to your feet and could develop a chronic pain condition if you leave heel pain untreated.

Call the expert team at Dr. Simon Becker DPM today to arrange a consultation, or book your appointment online.