Heel pain makes it difficult to get about. But effective ways of treating conditions like plantar fasciitis and other common causes of heel pain are available. Jason Cohen, DPM, and Sandeep Garcha, DPM, of Cohen & Garcha Podiatry, LLP, can quickly diagnose your heel pain and offer the right treatment for your condition. The practice has six offices in New York City’s Bronx borough, one in Jamaica, Queens, and another in Nanuet, New York. Call the office nearest you today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.
Plantar fasciitis is the most likely cause of heel pain. This condition arises when the tough band of tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes becomes inflamed. It causes intense pain in the bottom of your heel that often eases off when you start moving. The pain returns if you continue walking and can be so severe that it’s hard to function normally.
Other causes of heel pain include:
Plantar fasciitis affects the bottom of your heel, while Achilles injuries cause pain in the back of your heel. Heel pain can be mild to become so severe that it’s hard to walk.
Your risk of developing heel pain is higher if you’re overweight or obese, wear unsupportive footwear or high heels, or do a lot of running.
To diagnose your heel pain, your provider at Cohen & Garcha Podiatry, LLP, does a thorough exam. They also discuss your symptoms and medical history. In some cases, your symptoms clearly indicate the cause of your heel pain.
To confirm the diagnosis, your provider might need to see X-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan of your foot. These diagnostic imaging tests also confirm the extent of any damage and show up additional problems like bone spurs.
Resting the foot, using ice packs to reduce inflammation, and taking pain-relief medication can help reduce your heel pain. If these treatments don’t help or your heel pain is particularly severe, your provider at Cohen & Garcha Podiatry, LLP, can offer other treatments.
Orthotics (shaped insoles that you wear in your shoes) are beneficial, especially with conditions like plantar fasciitis. You might need to wear strapping or a brace on your ankle if you’ve damaged your Achilles tendon or stop using the foot altogether for a while. The latter will require that you use crutches.
Physical therapy and massage can also help. In some cases, steroid injections can be helpful for conditions that aren’t responding to other treatments.
Plantar Fasciitis | Ingrown Toenail | Toenail Fungus | Bunion | Heel Pain | Neuroma | Diabetic Foot Care | Flat Feet | Warts| Trauma | Fracture | Achilles Tendonitis | Arthritis | Foot Fungus | Hammer Toe | Tendinitis
