Heel pain can be quite detrimental to your quality of life by impairing your ability to walk and travel from one place to another. Dr. Brian Doerr in Fort Myers, FL can help find the root cause of your heel pain and treat it effectively so that you no longer need to avoid the activities you love.

What are the causes of heel pain?

Obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the critical first step to treating your heel pain. Any treatment option will not be successful if at first an accurate diagnosis is not obtained. Some common conditions that can lead to heel pain are:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Trauma to the foot and/or ankle
• Bone spurs
• Achilles tendonitis
• Arthritis
• Bursitis

There are also several causes of heel pain that are not seen as frequently. Some examples of these diagnoses are:

• Tarsal tunnel syndrome: There is a 'tunnel' in your ankle that envelops nerves leading to the foot. This space in this tunnel can decrease for a variety of reasons, causing the nerves to become pinched, leading to heel pain. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is comparable to the more well-known carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands.
• Sever's disease: Seen in children and teenagers, this condition results from their heel cone growing faster than the ligaments and tendons of the lower leg. These structures can become stressed and overworked as a result.
• Stress fractures
• Heel pad bruise
• Haglund's syndrome: This condition is also known as 'pump bump.' It occurs when a bony prominence develops on the back of the heel and is generally a response to wearing shoes that don't fit well. 
• Osteomyelitis: Inflammation or infection of the heel bone

What are some treatment options for heel pain?

There are many options for treatment after the root cause of your heel pain is determined. The optimal treatment strategy for your heel pain may not be the same as for another person. Treatment is individualized for you.

Treatment options that may be recommended for your heel pain in Fort Myers, FL are:

• Avoidance of aggravating activities 
• Rest
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and painkillers
• Cortisone injections
• Custom orthotics
• Changing shoes to ones that provide more support
• Physical therapy to stretch and strengthen targeted muscles that surround and support the heel. Pain-relieving modalities may also be used. Examples of these are ultrasound and electrical stimulation.
• Surgery

Surgery is most often a treatment option suggested as a last resort when conservative measures have failed to adequately relieve pain. Surgical intervention is only recommended as the first line of treatment when the damage to your heel is so severe that your podiatrist is certain that it will be unlikely to heal using conservative measures.

Contact us

Treat your heel pain in Fort Myers, FL by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Doerr. Schedule a consultation with him by calling (239) 931-3668.