Heel Pain Specialist

Associated Foot Specialists

Podiatrists located in Holden, MA & Hudson, MA

Heel pain is common, but it can feel crippling in some cases. At Associated Foot Specialists in Holden and Hudson, Massachusetts, exceptional podiatrists Anthony Tickner, DPM, and Steven Quan, DPM, find the root cause of heel pain and treat it to restore your mobility and quality of life. Call the office to schedule an appointment, or use the online booking tool today.

Heel Pain Q & A

What is heel pain?

Heel pain occurs in the back part of your foot, right below your ankle. The pain might appear for a variety of reasons, making it difficult for you to stay active and complete simple, everyday tasks. Heel pain could present as:

Stabbing or shooting pain
Dull aching discomfort
Numbness
Tingling
Burning pain
Pain with movement
Swelling
Bruising
Decreased range of motion

The Associated Foot Specialists team finds out what’s causing the discomfort and helps relieve your symptoms.

What are the common causes of heel pain?

The cause of heel pain isn’t always clear, but common risk factors include:

Bone tumors
Achilles tendon rupture
Achilles tendonitis
Joint inflammation
Plantar fasciitis
Heel spurs
Haglund's deformity
Bone infection
Arthritis
Peripheral neuropathy
Diabetes
Stress fractures
Inflammation
Tarsal tunnel syndrome

The cause of heel pain determines which podiatry treatment is the most effective for your condition.

How does my doctor diagnose the cause of heel pain?

Your foot specialist finds the cause of heel pain by checking your vital signs, examining your feet and ankles, and reviewing your medical history and symptoms with you. They may suggest you undergo X-rays, blood tests, MRIs, CT scans, or other imaging procedures.

How is heel pain treated?

The following treatments may help ease heel pain:

Home remedies

Things you can do at home for heel pain relief include maintaining healthy body weight, icing painful areas, and wearing comfortable shoes, custom-fitted orthotics, or night splints.

Injections

Injecting platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cells, or other substances into painful or inflamed tissues can stimulate healing and reduce heel discomfort.

Medications

Taking medications may alleviate pain and inflammation, as well as treat the underlying cause of heel pain.

Therapy

Physical therapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and ultrasonic tissue repair are additional noninvasive heel pain treatments.

Surgery

If you have severe heel pain and other treatments haven’t worked to relieve the discomfort, your Associated Foot Specialists may suggest surgery to repair, remove, or replace tissues and give you long-lasting heel pain relief.

To find the root cause of heel pain and eliminate it, call the Associated Foot Specialists office, or schedule an appointment online today.

What we offer