Multiple causes can result in experiencing heel pain. Heel pain can significantly affect your life, impairing your ability to walk and get from one place to another. Here at Podiatry Associates in Brantford, and Mississauga, ON, we treat heel pain frequently. Our expert podiatrists will find the root cause of your heel pain and fix it so you can get back to full functioning and no longer need to stay away from the activities you love. The first step in treatment is understanding exactly what is causing your heel pain.
What are some diagnoses that cause heel pain?
Some common conditions that lead to heel pain are:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Trauma to the foot and/or ankle
- Bone spurs
- Achilles tendonitis
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
While the above conditions are the most common causes of heel pain, there are many other not-so-common causes. Some examples are:
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome: This is similar to the more well-known carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands. There is a “tunnel” in your ankle which envelops nerves leading to the foot which can become pinched, leading to heel pain.
- Sever’s disease: A condition in children and teenagers as a result of the heel cone growing faster than the ligaments of the leg. This can lead to the ligaments becoming stressed and overworked.
- Stress fractures
- Bruising of the heel pad
- Haglund’s syndrome: This condition is referred to as ‘pump bump. It happens when a bony prominence develops on the back of the heel, usually in response to wearing ill-fitting shoes.
- Osteomyelitis: This is an infection or inflammation of the heel bone
Obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the critical first step in treating your heel pain in Mississauga, Toronto, Whitby, ON. Any treatment option will not be successful if at first an accurate diagnosis is not obtained.
What are the treatment options for my heel pain?
After determining the root cause of your heel pain, there will be many options for treatment. Our skilled podiatrists will recommend the best treatment strategy. Treatment will entirely depend on your diagnosis and be unique to you.
Various treatment options that may be recommended are:
- Rest and avoidance of aggravating activities in the short-term
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Cortisone injections
- Prescription pain killers
- Custom orthotics
- Changing footgear to more supportive shoes
- Physical therapy to help stretch and strengthen targeted muscles that support the heel. Pain relieving modalities may also be used, which can include ultrasound and electrical stimulation.
- Surgery
Surgical intervention will be a last resort treatment option when others have failed. Rarely will surgery be considered the first option by your doctor unless the injury or damage to your heel is severe and unlikely to heal using conservative measures.
Contact us
Take the first step in treating your heel pain in Mississauga, Toronto, Whitby, ON by scheduling a consultation with us. Contact Podiatry Associates by calling our Mississauga location at (905) 568-3800, or Brantford at (519) 751-2900.
