Heel pain
Podiatric surgeon and foot & ankle specialist in austin, tx
Heel Pain Services Offered In Austin, Tx
Heel Pain Q&A
What causes heel pain?
The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. The condition occurs when the connective tissue (the plantar fascia) joining your heel bone and forefoot becomes irritated and inflamed.
Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing heel pain that’s most intense as you first start walking in the morning. The pain starts at the back of your heel, but may even affect your entire foot arch.
Plantar fasciitis is a repetitive injury, meaning that repeated pressure and stress on the plantar fascia triggers the condition. Many factors can contribute to it, including extra weight, frequent exercise involving the heel, standing for long periods, and your unique foot mechanics.
There are also other causes of heel pain, including:
- Achilles tendonitis
- Calcaneal (heel bone) fractures
- Sever’s disease
- Haglund’s deformity (pump bump)
- Paget’s disease of bone
- Osteomyelitis
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Excessive inward motion when walking (excessive pronation)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bursitis
- Bone bruise
At Align Foot & Ankle, Dr. Ho-Ellsworth can diagnose your heel pain and its root cause. Then, she can provide a targeted care plan to ease your symptoms.
When should I see the doctor about heel pain?
If your heel pain occurs daily or almost every day, or if you’re avoiding normal activities because of it, you should seek medical care.
Heel pain usually worsens without treatment because walking causes additional irritation and damage inside your foot.
Align Foot & Ankle offers customized treatments to relieve your pain while restoring healthy feet and preventing recurrence.
How is heel pain treated?
Dr. Ho-Ellsworth provides all forms of heel pain treatment, from nonsurgical care to innovative approaches and minimally invasive surgery (MIS).
Nonsurgical care
Some common approaches for heel pain include orthotics, night splints, anti-inflammatory medication, and temporarily adjusting your activities and habits.
Advanced in-office treatments
Laser therapy is an innovative method that can help with heel pain. This treatment jump-starts your body’s natural healing response, accelerating your recovery and providing rapid pain relief.
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS)
With MIS, Dr. Ho-Ellsworth repairs weakened or damaged areas in your heel through puncture-sized incisions. A common example of minimally invasive heel surgery is plantar fascia release, in which she divides your plantar fascia so it can lengthen and contract without pain.
To receive exceptional care for heel pain, call Align Foot & Ankle or schedule an appointment online today.
- 1600 W. 38th Street, Suite 408 Austin, Tx 78731 (inside The Jefferson Building)
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Hours of Operation
- Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
