← What we treat

Heel and Arch Pain

Heel pain is one of the most common reasons people seek out treatment from a podiatrist, and it is usually not something you have to live with. The typical story is sharp pain in the first few steps out of bed that loosens up as you move and returns by the end of the day.

That pattern usually points to plantar fasciitis, which is frequently associated with tightness through the Achilles tendon and calf. Other sources of heel pain, such as nerve entrapment, stress fractures, and referred pain from the lower back, can feel similar and are managed differently. This is why the diagnosis matters before the treatment does. Heel pain that is worse at night, that came on after an injury, or that does not fit the usual pattern deserves a closer look.

What causes it

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. When it is repeatedly overloaded it develops small areas of irritation and degeneration where it attaches to the heel bone. Long hours standing, a change in activity, worn out shoes, tight calf muscles, and foot structure all contribute.

Heel spurs often show up on X-ray in people with heel pain, but the spur itself is usually not the source of the pain. Treating the fascia is what resolves symptoms.

What your visit looks like

Your visit starts with a history and an exam to find exactly where the pain is coming from. When it helps, an X-ray is taken here in the office rather than sending you somewhere else and waiting on a report.

There are often things we can do the same day to begin treating your heel pain. Most heel pain responds to some combination of stretching, better shoe support, taping or padding, an injection, or a custom orthotic. Some cases settle in a few weeks and some take a few months, and we will tell you what to expect instead of leaving you to guess.

When to come in

Sooner is easier. Heel pain that has been going on for a few weeks usually responds faster than heel pain that has been going on for a year, because the tissue changes become harder to reverse over time.