Yes, you should see a doctor right away if any of these statements are true for you, as they can signal a more significant issue that could require professional treatment.
- Ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers haven’t helped after a few days
- You experience heel pain even while resting
- You have other symptoms, such as a fever, numbness, or tingling
- You have other conditions such as an infection or diabetes
- You’re not able to bend your foot downward or stand on tiptoe.
- Your heel pain interferes with day-to-day activities such as walking, working, exercising, and hobbies.
Our Long Island podiatrists at Massapequa Podiatry Associates have a 95 percent success rate in treating heel pain. But it’s best to schedule an appointment as soon as you notice any of the above issues. Delaying treatment can worsen the problem and require higher levels of care. 
Causes of Heel Pain
There are several different reasons why a person develops heel pain.
Overuse
If you recently engaged in a particularly intense or lengthy activity without enough rest, there might be an injury.
Structural Abnormalities
Flat feet or high arches can contribute to heel pain by distributing stress and weight in ways that cause you discomfort.
Problematic Footwear
Poorly made, worn out, or improperly fitted shoes can all lead to foot pain. Going barefoot may also create issues, especially for people with diabetes.
Environmental Causes
If you’re constantly on your feet or walking around, especially on hard surfaces, these conditions are frequent contributors to heel pain.
How Massapequa Podiatry Associates Diagnose Heel Pain Conditions
It all starts with a complete physical examination and learning about your medical history and recent activities. Our team relies on technology such as imaging, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, and gait analysis to accurately determine if your heel pain could be caused by one of the following.
Plantar Fasciitis
This is the most common heel pain condition. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation or irritation of the fascia: the fibrous band that runs along the bottom of your foot from your toes to your heel.
Achilles Tendinitis
When the tendon that connects the heel bone to the lower leg muscles becomes inflamed, this is known as Achilles tendinitis. It’s often caused by athletic or repetitive activities.
Stress Fracture
Accidents, slip and falls, and other circumstances may result in small cracks in your heel bone.
Heel Spurs
If there’s a lot of stress on your foot ligaments, you can develop a bony growth known as a spur that develops in your heel, causing pain when walking or standing.
Treatments for Heel Pain
Once our Long Island heel pain specialists understand the root of your problem, we provide numerous treatment options to help you find relief and return to your normal activities.
Exercise Changes
You might need to adjust your exercise or modify the intensity of your activities. For example, if you typically like to jog multiple times a week, we might suggest cycling instead of or in rotation with running to give your feet a break. You might also need to implement more or different types of heel pain-relieving stretches.
Environmental Changes
Anti-fatigue mats in your workspace can help if your heel pain is related to standing on a hard surface. Periodic rest breaks to elevate your feet may also be advised.
Changing Footwear
You may need to purchase different shoes or orthotic inserts if your footwear contributes to heel pain.
In-Office Treatments
We also offer the following innovative treatments in our Massapequa podiatry clinic:
- Laser therapy
- Shockwave therapy
- Tenex
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Surgery
While there are surgical procedures that may be used to alleviate heel pain, they’re generally a last resort. We’ll always explore less invasive treatment options first.
