Heel Pain Specialist

Why do I have heel pain?

Heel pain is one of the more severe manifestations of foot pain, and it can also be one of the most confusing. Often, heel pain starts with no clear triggering event, leaving you wondering how it happened.

In most cases, heel pain comes from prolonged pressure on the tissues and bones that make up your ankle and foot, but it can also happen with sports injuries or other accidents. Some common reasons for heel pain include:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Arthritis
• Heel spurs
• Bursitis
• Achilles tendinitis
• Stress Fractures
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Haglund’s deformity (pump bump)
• Wounds on the bottom of your foot

Heel pain can mean many things, from a skin ulcer to a bone injury to soft tissue damage, so it's important to see Dr. McCabe for an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible if you're dealing with this kind of pain.

What is the diagnostic process for heel pain?

At Water Oak Foot and Ankle Surgery, Dr. McCabe reviews your symptoms and manually examines your entire ankle and foot. He asks about your heel pain intensity, when it happens, and your daily routine to get the clearest picture of the reasons for your symptoms.

Dr. McCabe may examine the internal bones, tendons, ligaments, and other foot and ankle structures through X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound imaging to make a definitive diagnosis. In some instances, the pain in your heel is actually originating from your lower back.

Dr. McCabe may examine the internal bones, tendons, ligaments, and other foot and ankle structures through X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound imaging to make a definitive diagnosis.

How is heel pain treated?

There are many different heel pain treatments, so Dr. McCabe explains all the different options for your specific cause of heel pain. He offers conservative care, such as:

• Immobilization with cast or brace
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Custom orthotics
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections

If you have a complete tissue tear, a displaced fracture, or other type of problem that won't heal with rest and conservative treatments, Dr. McCabe can perform surgery to reduce pressure, repair tissue, or reinforce damaged areas with new tissue. As a fellowship-trained podiatric surgeon, Dr. McCabe has years of specialized experience with surgical heel pain solutions. Typically, the surgical solution for heel pain is minimally invasive.

After surgery, physical therapy helps you improve foot and ankle function and stability, which supports healing and helps guard against injury.

If you have chronic heel pain, find out what's behind your suffering and get help by calling Water Oak Foot and Ankle Surgery, or by clicking the online appointment booking tool now.