While plantar fasciitis is a leading cause of heel pain, other conditions can also affect your heel and interfere with your mobility. At St. Augustine Foot, Ankle & Vein in St. Augustine, Florida, Thomas LeBeau, DPM, FACCWS, offers an onsite diagnosis to understand the root cause of your pain. Dr. LeBeau also focuses on nonsurgical treatments to ease or eliminate heel pain and improve your mobility. Schedule a diagnostic appointment for heel pain today by calling the office or booking a consultation online now.

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What causes heel pain?

The movements you make put a lot of pressure on your feet. While the structure of your foot is designed to withstand stress and movement, too much activity, especially on hard surfaces, can cause chronic pain in and around the heel.

Several conditions can cause heel pain, including:

  • Bruises
  • Heel spurs
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Achilles tendon inflammation

When your heel becomes sore or painful, you should limit your activities to allow your foot to heal naturally. Many people on the go don’t take the time to rest and heal, resulting in ongoing heel pain and limited mobility.

How is heel pain diagnosed?

When heel pain begins to worsen and limits what you can do, it’s important to seek an accurate diagnosis with an experienced podiatrist like Dr. LeBeau.

During your evaluation, Dr. LeBeau physically examines your foot, checking for areas of swelling or tenderness. He reviews your symptoms and discusses the activities you were doing when the heel pain started.

To rule out underlying medical issues that can cause your pain and confirm your diagnosis, Dr. LeBeau will probably do an imaging test like an X-ray to get a better look at the inner structures of your foot.

How is foot pain treated?

Depending on your diagnosis and the severity of your pain, Dr. LeBeau creates a custom treatment plan to quickly ease pain and improve your overall foot health.

If you have plantar fasciitis, Dr. LeBeau will recommend at-home stretching exercises and physical therapy to stretch your tendons and muscles to ease your pain and reduce the chance that your condition will get worse. It’s also important that you rest your feet and limit your activity to ensure your plantar fascia heals properly.

If you have a heel spur, Dr. Lebeau could recommend physical therapy. Custom orthotic shoe inserts can help cushion your heel when walking and standing.

To relieve heel inflammation and pain, Dr. LeBeau can suggest over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. Ice therapy can also prevent swelling and worsening of your pain.

Many solutions for relieving heel pain are available at St. Augustine Foot, Ankle & Vein. Schedule your consultation with Dr. LaBeau today by calling the office or by requesting an appointment online now.