Everyone suffers from heel pain occasionally, but if your symptoms last for a week or longer, identifying the cause is essential. At NYC Foot & Ankle Center in the Manhattan Valley neighborhood of the Upper West Side, expert podiatrists Diana Valencia, DPM, Emmanuel Bustos, DPM, and the team provide various heel pain treatments. They use a minimally invasive approach and feature advanced measures, like shockwave therapy. Call the New York City office today to schedule heel pain treatment, or book your visit online.
Not necessarily. Your heels support the weight of your body and experience daily wear-and-tear. So, it’s normal to have stiffness and sensitivity from time to time. However, if your heel pain continues or affects your mobility, it might indicate a more serious problem.
Since certain conditions, like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis, worsen without treatment, pinpointing the source of your discomfort is crucial. Thankfully, healthy lifestyle changes and minimally invasive therapies often provide lasting relief.
Heel pain occurs for various reasons, including:
If you’re suffering from heel pain, you aren’t alone, regardless of the underlying cause. Heel pain affects up to 2 million Americans each year.
Your NYC Foot & Ankle Center provider asks about your symptoms, including if it’s more noticeable at specific times or when you wear certain shoes. They examine the sides, back, and bottom of your heel, checking for redness, bruising, and swelling.
Your provider gently presses on your heel to identify sensitive places and has you walk around, observing your gait (how you walk) and posture. They also order X-rays to check for underlying conditions, like arthritis, fractures, and joint damage.
The NYC Foot & Ankle Center team treats heel pain using a conservative, minimally invasive approach. They might suggest:
The team might recommend shockwave therapy if your symptoms continue or worsen even after the above treatments.
Shockwave therapy uses a small electrode to direct targeted electrical currents at your heel bone and surrounding tissues. This increases circulation to your heel, reduces inflammation, and speeds up your body’s healing process.
Rarely, minimally invasive surgery is needed. However, the team exhausts all other options before recommending an operative procedure.
Don’t let heel pain prevent you from living an active lifestyle. To receive treatment today, call NYC Foot & Ankle Center and make an appointment, or book your visit online.