What's Causing My Heel Pain?

What's Causing My Heel Pain?

Heel pain definitely complicates your life. You may find yourself making changes to your usual routine or giving up exercise if walking, running, and standing suddenly become too painful to tolerate. Fortunately, Dr. Jeffrey Agricola, your podiatrist in Indianapolis and Carmel, IN, can diagnose the cause of your pain and offer effective treatments that will improve your condition!

Do you have plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, and it is a condition that refers to an inflammation of the plantar fascia (the long band of Heel Paintough tissue that connects your heels to your toes). If you have plantar fasciitis, you may experience shooting pains in your heels when you first step out of bed in the morning. Although the pain may gradually subside, it will also often worsen once you stand after sitting for a long period of time.

You can help ease your plantar fasciitis pain by performing exercises that stretch the fascia, attending physical therapy, or wearing night splints and prescription orthotics (custom-made shoe inserts that cushion and align your foot). Although most people recover from plantar fasciitis without surgery, your foot doctor may recommend surgical options if your pain doesn't improve after trying a few conservative treatments.

Could an injury be responsible for your pain?

Your heel pain could also be caused by one of these types of injuries:

  • Stone Bruise: Did you step on a rock or on one of your kids' toys lately? If so, you may have bruised the layer of fat underneath your heel. Stone bruises may also occur if you exercise in shoes that don't offer adequate cushioning or support for your heel. Most stone bruises get better on their own in just a few weeks.
  • Fracture: Falls, jumps, or car accidents can result in heel fractures. If you have severe pain, your heel is deformed, or your pain doesn't begin to improve within a few days after your injury, it's a good idea to pay a visit to your podiatrist. He may recommend crutches and a cast and boot to relieve pressure on your foot while it heals. If the bones of your heel are displaced, you'll need surgery.
  • Overuse Injuries: Training too hard/too long or suddenly increasing the intensity of your exercise routine can increase your risk of plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, retrocalcaneal bursitis, and stress fractures. Your podiatrist can offer several treatments that may be helpful, including physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, casts and boots, orthotics, and ultrasound treatment.

Call us at either one of our offices (Indianapolis or Carmel)

Schedule an appointment with podiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Agricola by calling (317) 881-0070 for the Indianapolis, IN, office or (317) 846-4111 for the Carmel office. Contact us today to find relief from your heel pain!