Heel Pain

Everyone experiences heel pain occasionally, but if your symptoms affect your mobility or independence, it’s crucial to seek treatment. At Mastracco Foot & Ankle in North Canton, Ohio, Dominick Mastracco, DPM, AACFAS, specializes in diagnosing and treating various types of heel pain. To find out the underlying cause of your pain, call the office or book an appointment online today.

What is heel pain?

Heel pain is discomfort or stiffness that affects the back of your foot, just beneath your ankle. The heel bone is the largest bone in your foot. It can withstand a lot of general wear-and-tear but isn’t invincible. 

Anyone can develop heel pain, but the risk increases if you’re an athlete or work a physically demanding job. Dr. Mastracco can identify the underlying cause and make recommendations to help you feel better. 

What causes heel pain?

Heel pain occurs for various reasons, including:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Sprains and strains
• Fractures
• Achilles tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis that affects the spine)
• Osteochondrosis (a group of bone disorders that affect children and teens)

You might also have heel pain because of an accident or injury, like dropping something heavy on your foot or landing on your heel awkwardly while playing sports.

When should I see a foot and ankle doctor about heel pain?

Make an appointment at Mastracco Foot & Ankle if you have heel pain that doesn’t improve within a week or two with at-home treatments, like rest and icing. If the pain occurs suddenly, causes redness in your heel, or affects your ability to work and do other routine activities, it’s vital to seek professional help. 

How is heel pain diagnosed?

Dr. Mastracco reviews your health charts and asks about your symptoms, including when the heel pain started and if it’s worse during certain activities, like work.

Next, he completes an exam, checking your heel for redness, swelling, or bruising. He presses on your heel to find sensitive areas and orders X-rays or a CT scan to check for arthritis, fractures, and joint damage.

After pinpointing the cause of your heel pain, Dr. Mastracco makes treatment recommendations to improve your comfort.

How is heel pain treated?

Treatment of heel pain depends on your age and the severity of your symptoms. Dr. Mastracco might recommend:

• Getting plenty of rest
• Icing your heel several times daily
• Taking over-the-counter pain medication
• Wearing comfortable shoes that fit
• Wearing a night splint
• Custom or over-the-counter orthotics
• Over-the-counter orthotics
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections

The goal of treatment is to reduce the pain, encourage your mobility, and speed up your body’s natural healing process.

To find out which treatment options can help with your heel pain, call Mastracco Foot & Ankle or book an appointment online today.