Heel pain can have many different causes but the most common is plantar fasciitis, or inflammation of the plantar fascia. This fibrous tissue extends along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone and the forefoot.

If you feel a stabbing pain in the bottom of your heel, particularly when you first get out of bed in the morning, you may have plantar fasciitis. This condition most commonly occurs in those aged 40 – 60 after strenuous activities like running and aerobics, or in those who are flat-footed or obese or who stand for long periods on hard surfaces like cement floors.

Treatment Includes Stretching Calf and Foot Arch

It’s usually best to try conservative or non-surgical treatment options first:

• Rest your foot and apply ice to the heel area.
• Take anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen.
• Add orthotic inserts to your shoes for extra cushioning.
• Stretching the calf, Achilles tendon and foot arch can alleviate tightness, stabilize your heel and ankle and also prevent plantar fasciitis from recurring.

Often Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen of Your Next Step recommend that patients with plantar fasciitis wear a splint to bed each night. The splint stretches the calf and the arch of the foot while you sleep to facilitate stretching.

Innovative Technology – the Tenex Health TX™ System

If conservative measures fail to relieve you of heel pain, our state-of-the-art Tenex Health TX™ system can remove damaged tissue in a minimally-invasive procedure.

Your foot surgeon will use ultrasound imaging to identify exactly where the damaged tissue is located. Then, after applying a local anesthetic to numb the area, the TX™ MicroTip applies ultrasonic energy through a tiny incision to remove only the damaged tendon or tissue.

The procedure takes 20 minutes or less right in our Ardmore or Paoli, PA, offices and requires no stitches – just an adhesive bandage. Healing is fast because no normal tissue is damaged and the incision site is so small.

We Can Help Relieve your Heel Pain!

There is no reason to suffer with heel pain when there are so many treatment options available. Contact us today to make an appointment with our board certified podiatrist team. The sooner you call us, the quicker you will be back to doing all your favorite activities pain-free.