Heel Pain Specialist
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Alexander J Pappas, DPM
Board Certified Podiatrist & Foot and Ankle Surgeon located in Hudson, FL, Brooksville, FL, & Lutz, FL
Heel pain often arrives suddenly, making it frustratingly hard to even take a step comfortably. If you’re one of the 2 million Americans with heel pain, experienced board-certified podiatrist Alexander J. Pappas, DPM, can diagnose and treat underlying issues like plantar fasciitis in his Hudson, Brooksville, and Lutz, Florida, offices. Reach out by phone or through the online scheduler for help now.
Heel Pain Q & A
What causes heel pain?
Plantar fasciitis is virtually synonymous with heel pain — it’s by far the most common cause. The plantar fascia ligament, which fastens your heel to your forefoot, absorbs your body weight whenever you’re on your feet.
Plantar fasciitis develops when repetitive strain, such as distance running, causes a series of small tears in the ligament. This then causes sharp heel pain, which typically peaks early in the morning and recedes during the day.
The cause of plantar fasciitis isn’t always clear, but some common contributing factors include exercise that pressures your heels, extra weight, standing for long periods, and flat feet.
Some other causes of heel pain can include:
- Achilles tendinitis
- Haglund’s deformity
- Sever’s disease
- Heel spurs
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Ankle fracture
- Ankle sprain
Some of these conditions lead to heel pain in an indirect way. For example, if you have an ankle sprain or fracture, it can change the way you walk. Even a minor alteration in your gait can stress your heel in a new way, leading to conditions that cause heel pain, such as plantar fasciitis.
How is the reason for heel pain diagnosed?
Dr. Pappas conducts a full podiatric exam and discusses your symptoms with you. He may ask you to flex your feet, stand on your toes, or walk around so he can check for abnormalities and alignment issues.
It's also common to need X-rays, diagnostic ultrasound, or other imaging studies to look for changes in your foot's bones and soft tissues. Dr. Pappas combines all of this information to diagnose the root cause of your heel pain. He can then recommend a personalized recovery plan.
What does treatment for heel pain involve?
Heel pain can improve dramatically with noninvasive treatments in many cases. Dr. Pappas may recommend:
- Activity modification
- Footwear changes
- Oral anti-inflammatory medication
- Ice packs, applied in 20-minute intervals
- Custom orthotics
- Physical therapy, including prescribed exercises at home
- Ultrasound therapy
- Anti-inflammatory injections
The earlier you start treatment for heel pain, the better results you can expect. If you already have extensive tissue or bone damage, or if your heel pain doesn't get better after at least several weeks of conservative approaches, Dr. Pappas can perform surgery.
As a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Pappas can expertly repair damage to bones, tendons, and ligaments. He's also a skilled reconstructive surgeon.
If you have heel pain, let Alexander J. Pappas, DPM, help you feel your best again. Book an appointment by phone or through online scheduling now.
