Heel Pain

Heel pain can strike at any time, negatively affecting your mobility and quality of life. At his practice in the Randall Manor neighborhood of Staten Island, New York, Aluko O. Jervis, DPM, boasts more than 15 years of experience diagnosing and treating heel pain with holistic and minimally invasive means. Call the New York City area office to request a heel pain consultation today or book an appointment online.

What is heel pain?

Heel pain is stiffness or discomfort that occurs on or around your heel bone (the largest bone in your foot). Sometimes, it’s due to trauma; other times, it’s because of overuse or general wear-and-tear. 

If you have heel pain and it doesn’t improve with conservative treatments, like ice, rest, and elevation, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jervis to pinpoint the underlying cause.

What causes heel pain?

Heel pain occurs for various reasons, including:

• Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar fascia)
• Heel bursitis (inflammation of the heel bursa, small fluid-filled sacs)
• Haglund’s deformity (an abnormal growth at the back of the heel)
• Stress fracture
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome (compression of the nerves at the back of the foot)
• Sever’s disease (the leading cause of heel pain in children and teens)
• Achilles tendinitis
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Poor circulation
• Bone cyst

Sometimes, heel pain occurs because of poor posture or the way you walk.

Should I see a doctor about heel pain?

Make an appointment with Dr. Jervis if you have heel pain that lasts for more than a week and it doesn’t improve with conservative treatments, like ice, anti-inflammatory medication, or rest. That’s particularly true if your pain worsens or keeps you from going to work or exercising.

How is heel pain diagnosed?

Dr. Jervis reviews your health charts and asks about your symptoms, including where the pain occurs, what it feels like, and if certain activities, like standing up, make it worse. 

Next, Dr. Jervis examines your heel, lower leg, and ankle, checking for bruising, redness, or skin discoloration. He presses on your heel and the bottom of your foot, pinpointing sensitive areas. Then, Dr. Jervis orders X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans. These imaging procedures capture photos of your bones, joints, and surrounding tissues.

How is heel pain treated?

Dr. Jervis treats heel pain using a minimally invasive and holistic approach. He might recommend:

• Taking anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling
• Corticosteroid injections for long-term pain relief
• Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in your feet and lower legs
• Athletic taping to give your feet better support
• Custom orthotics
• Massage
• Assistive devices or insoles

If your heel pain persists even after these treatments, you might be a candidate for surgery. During surgery, Dr. Jervis uses special tools to release your plantar fascia from your heel bone.

Call Aluko O. Jervis, DPM, to explore the treatment options for heel pain today, or make an appointment online.