It’s impossible to ignore heel pain. With every step you take, the pain seems to get worse. In some cases, pain can be so bad that it affects your daily life. Gary Evans, DPM, your New York City podiatrist, discusses heel pain types and treatment options. He and his colleagues, Doctors James Korponay and Caren Schumer, treat a variety of foot and ankle conditions.Heel Pain

Heel pain is often caused by inflammation in the muscles or tissues of your heel or foot. Common types of pain include:

Plantar fasciitis

Heel pain can occur when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects your toes to your heels, becomes inflamed. If you have this common condition, you may notice that pain is worse in the morning. Plantar fasciitis can develop if you spend a lot of time participating in activities that involve running or jumping, but can also occur for unexplained reasons.

Heel spurs

Heel spurs are calcium deposits that occur at the spot that the fascia connects to your heel bone. They can form if you’ve had a long-term problem with plantar fasciitis.

Stone bruise

Stepping on a hard object can cause a painful bruise, know as a stone bruise, to form on your heel.

Retrocalcaneal bursitis

The retrocalcaneal bursa is located where your Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your heel. It can become irritated or inflamed due to overuse, particularly if you spend more time than usual walking, running or jumping or suddenly increase the intensity of your workout.

Heel pain treatment

Your foot doctor can offer a variety of treatments that will help decrease heel pain if rest, ice and over-the-counter medications aren’t effective. Heel pad shoe inserts can help take the pressure off your heel and provide some relief. Exercises and physical therapy will help you stretch out tight muscles, tendons and the plantar fascia. Depending on the cause of your problem, your podiatrist may recommend night splints, steroid injections or prescription-strength pain medication. In some cases, heel surgery is the best option, although surgery isn’t required for most cases of heel pain.

Tired of dealing with heel pain? Call New York City podiatrists Gary Evans, DPM, James Korponay, DPM, and Caren Schumer, DPM, at (212)279-0086 and make an appointment to explore treatment options for your pain.