There are many reasons that you may be experiencing heel pain and there are just as many treatment options for that heel pain. Our expertly skilled podiatrists here at Potomac Podiatry Group often successfully treat heel pain in Woodbridge, Chantilly, VA. They want nothing more than to eliminate that pain so you can get back to all the activities that you love in life.
What are some causes of heel pain?
The first step in choosing an appropriate treatment strategy is determining the correct cause of your pain. If the initial diagnosis is incorrect, the chosen treatment option will likely not lessen your pain. Figuring out the root cause of what is leading to pain in the heel is the first priority. The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, where the thick band of connective tissue that runs from your heel to the front of your foot is inflamed, or otherwise not functioning properly.
Some other causes of heel pain may be arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, flat feet, bone spurs, tendonitis, stress fractures, a bone bruise, and trauma to the ankle.
What are some treatment options for heel pain?
We offer a variety of treatment options for your heel pain in Woodbridge, Chantilly, VA. The treatment recommended by your podiatrist will be unique to you and specific to your diagnosis. The treatment recommended will also depend on the severity of the injury or damage to your heel. Mild to moderate cases of heel pain that are not negatively affecting your functioning will likely respond well to conservative measures. These may be:
- Over the counter or prescription pain killers
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Wearing custom orthotics and changing footwear to more supportive shoes
- A short period of downtime and rest, avoiding any aggravating activities
- A short course of physical therapy aimed at stretching and strengthening target muscles and other structures in the foot. A course of physical therapy may include pain-relieving modalities that aid with healing, such as thermal ultrasound and electrical stimulation.
To treat heel pain that results from a more severe cause, surgical intervention may be required to fix structures within the foot or ankle that are compromised and will not heal using conservative measures alone. Surgery would be necessary in the case of a fracture, torn ligaments or tendons, removal of a bone spur, or when conservative measures have been attempted and have failed to adequately treat your pain.
Treat your heel pain with us
Don't accept that you need to live with your heel pain or try to ignore it. Contact the office of Potomac Podiatry Group in Woodbridge, Chantilly, VA regarding your heel pain. We have several convenient offices, schedule a consultation with us at the Woodbridge office by calling (703) 583-5959, our Chantilly office at (703) 490-5599, the Sterling location at (703) 444-9555, or our Crofton office at (410) 721-4505.