Whether it develops gradually over time or appears suddenly after an injury, heel pain can make you much less enthusiastic about walking, exercising, or even standing. At Kettle Moraine Podiatry in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, podiatrist Allyson Otten, DPM, can get to the root cause of your heel pain and develop a personalized treatment plan to relieve it. To get started, call Kettle Moraine Podiatry today or schedule your heel pain consultation online.

What are some of the most common causes of heel pain? 

One of the leading causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, which happens if the thick band of tissue along the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed. Plantar fasciitis causes sharp pain near your heel, especially during your first steps in the morning or after resting for a while.  

Achilles tendinitis is another common cause and affects the tendon that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone, often causing pain and stiffness at the back of your heel.

Heel pain can also result from:

• Overuse
• Poor foot mechanics
• Inadequate arch support
• Flat feet
• Unsupportive footwear 
• Bursitis
• Stress fractures
• Foot arthritis
• Nerve irritation
• Heel spurs

If you’re an athlete or spend long hours standing or walking, you may be particularly susceptible to heel pain due to repetitive stress on your feet.

When should I seek help for heel pain? 

While mild soreness may improve with rest, see Dr. Otten if it keeps getting worse. Seek medical attention if your heel pain:

• Prevents you from putting weight on your heel
• Lasts more than a few days
• Interferes with walking or daily activities
• Comes with swelling, redness, bruising, or numbness

Sudden severe pain after an injury may indicate a tendon injury or fracture, which Dr. Otten should evaluate promptly. In addition, if you have diabetes, talk to her about diabetic foot care, since any kind of pain can sometimes signal more serious complications.

How is heel pain treated? 

Depending on the cause and severity of your heel pain, conservative treatments may work well to relieve your pain and get you back to moving well. Dr. Otten may suggest rest, icing, stretching exercises, and activity modifications to reduce inflammation and allow your foot to heal. 

She can also discuss options like supportive shoes and custom orthotics to improve your foot alignment and provide better arch support, helping reduce stress on your heel when you’re walking and standing.

Physical therapy can strengthen your foot and ankle while improving flexibility. If you have significant inflammation or chronic pain, cortisone injections may provide targeted relief and reduce swelling. 

If your condition is more severe, like a stress fracture or tendon injury, you may require immobilization with a walking boot or other advanced treatments.

If you’re struggling with ongoing heel pain, call Kettle Moraine Podiatry or book an evaluation online today.