Heel Pain

Heel pain is one of the most challenging types of foot pain because it can cause stabbing pain with every step you take. At Susz Podiatry & Wound Care, the compassionate heel pain experts led by John Susz, DPM, FACFAS, offer an array of effective pain relief solutions in three offices in Westfield and Lakewood, New York, and Russell, Pennsylvania.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes heel pain?

Many cases of heel pain stem from plantar fasciitis. This condition develops when the flexible strip of tissue linking your heel bone and toes (the plantar fascia) becomes badly irritated. Heel pain can develop due to other reasons, such as:

Calcaneus (heel bone) fracture
Inferior calcaneal nerve entrapment
Breakdown of heel fat pad
Bone tumor or cyst
Bone bruise
Bursitis
Arthritis
Achilles tendonitis (in the upper part of the heel)

Bone spurs — hard deposits of calcium on a bone — can develop on the underside of the heel, where they’re called heel spurs. X-rays frequently show heel spurs in people with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fasciitis is the root cause of the pain, while the heel spurs are a byproduct of plantar fasciitis.

Will heel pain go away on its own?

Heel pain can go away on its own sometimes. If your heel pain just started and is not too severe, simple methods like rest, ice packs, and over-the-counter pain medication might help. The most common cause of heel pain, plantar fasciitis, can go away on its own. The plantar fascia usually heals gradually, and 8 of 10 people recover within a year.

But, when you’re struggling with severe heel pain and are having trouble continuing normal activities, you need faster help. Susz Podiatry & Wound Care is here for you and can help you recover much faster than you would without expert treatment.

I have heel pain but don’t want surgery. What are my options?

Fortunately, most cases of heel pain, especially those related to plantar fasciitis, are treatable with conservative nonsurgical care. Determining your nonsurgical treatment options starts with a diagnosis. The team examines your foot and performs X-rays or other imaging tests like ultrasound to find the cause of your heel pain. This gives them the specific information they need to find the optimal nonsurgical heel pain approach for you. The Susz Podiatry & Wound Care team offers customized treatment solutions such as:

Orthotics
Night splint
Physical therapy
Corticosteroid injections
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
Ultrasound therapy

The team tries every possible nonsurgical option, including the most up-to-date new methods, before they recommend surgery. But, in the rare event that you need surgery, you’ll typically have a minimally invasive procedure with a tiny incision.