Heel Pain Specialist
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A Step Up Podiatry, LLC
Ankle and Foot Surgeon located in Manalapan, NJ
Heel pain can be caused by several conditions, with the most common cause being plantar fasciitis. It’s often serious enough to sideline you from daily activities, which is why it’s so important to seek help from a foot and ankle specialist. Award-winning podiatric specialist Sanjay Gandhi, DPM, the founder and podiatrist at A Step Up Podiatry, LLC, treats plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, pump bumps, and other heel pain triggers with the latest advanced treatments. Call the Manalapan Township, New Jersey, office, or use the online booking tool to get heel pain relief now.
Heel Pain Q & A
Why do I have heel pain?
Heel pain is a common complaint among people who have a podiatric issue. There are several possible causes of heel pain, including:
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Typically, plantar fasciitis causes extreme heel pain with the earliest steps of the day, tapers off as you move around, and then returns after any long period of rest. It’s generally an overuse injury caused by too much tension on the fibrous tissue running along your foot sole, the plantar fascia.
The tension causes many microscopic tears in your plantar fascia, and this is the reason for the heel pain. Although it’s often related to overuse, any kind of tension, including excess weight, can cause it.
Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis causes pain in the back part of your heel. It’s usually related to overuse of the Achilles tendon that goes down the calf and tucks into the back of your ankle. Achilles tendinitis is common among athletes who increase their exercise intensity or duration, but it can happen in anyone who starts a new exercise routine like running.
Haglund’s deformity
Haglund’s deformity, commonly called pump bump, is caused by high heels wear. It causes a bump at the back of your heel and can be quite painful whenever you wear constricting shoes or otherwise apply pressure to the area.
Sever’s disease
Sever’s disease is a condition in which growth plate irritation within the foot triggers heel irritation. It’s most common among physically active kids who are still growing, usually in the 8-13 age range.
Another possible reason for heel pain is physical trauma. Usually, trauma-related heel pain comes on suddenly as is clearly tied to an incident like falling or dropping something on the foot.
What is the best treatment for heel pain?
At A Step Up Podiatry, LLC, Dr. Gandhi starts with diagnostics. He uses on-site testing equipment, including X-rays to determine the underlying cause and the extent of the damage. Then, he prescribes the optimal treatment for you. Common approaches include:
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- Custom orthotics
- Prescribed exercise
- Different footwear
- Custom braces
Heel pain usually responds well to conservative care, but if you need surgery, Dr. Gandhi is a foot and ankle surgery expert who can help.
How can I prevent heel pain?
You can prevent heel pain by taking a few precautions as recommended by Dr. Gandhi. He may recommend swapping some high-impact exercises for low-impact ones, consistently warming up before exercise, and wearing only the proper footwear for any athletic activity, along with other customized tips.
For heel pain help from a podiatrist who treats you like family, call A Step Up Podiatry, LLC, or book online now.
