Why Do I Have Pain in My Heels?

You want to jump out of bed and hit the ground running, but your heels are having none of it. Instead, every step you take is an uncomfortable, if not painful, one thanks to heel pain. 

Dealing with heel pain under any circumstances is challenging, but when you live in Brooklyn, walking is what you do. That’s why our comprehensive team of medical providers at LaSante Health Center includes podiatrists who specialize in keeping our patients on their feet and moving freely.

Below, we take a look at some of the more common culprits behind heel pain and how we can help put that spring back in your step.

The road to heel pain

Given your feet’s workload, it’s little wonder that problems can crop up from time to time. When our patients see us for heel pain, this is what we often find:

Plantar fasciitis

Each year in the United states, about 2 million people receive treatment for plantar fasciitis, which is one of the leading causes of heel pain.

Your plantar fascia is a tough band of tissue that stretches from your heel to the ball of your foot, and it provides support for your arches. If you strain or overuse these shock-absorbing tissues, they can become inflamed, which leads to pain along the soles of your feet and in your heels. 

This pain is especially acute when you take your first steps after a long rest, such as when you get up in the morning.

Achilles tendinitis

Your Achilles tendon is the largest in your body and it runs from your calf muscles to your heel bone. If tiny tears develop in the tendon due to overuse, the tissue can become inflamed and lead to heel pain.

Stress fractures and heel bruises

Did you know that your feet contain an impressive 26 bones, the largest of which is your heel bone? 

If you land hard on your heels or hit a pointy object, you can develop a fracture in your heel bone (or a neighboring bone), or you might develop a deep bruise. In both cases, the pain can be considerable.

Bone spurs

If your heel bone develops bone spurs, which is your body’s way of protecting itself, these bony growths can lead to heel pain.

Outside of these conditions, mechanics, gait, and your weight can also play roles when it comes to heel pain. 

For example, if you put on weight and your heels start to ache, the two may be related. Or if you walk with excessive inward motion (overpronation), you can stress the tissues in your heels.

Putting heel pain in the past

If you want to put heel pain firmly in the rearview window, it’s time to see us for an evaluation. After we go over your symptoms, we perform a physical exam and turn to digital imaging to get a good look inside.

Once we target the problem, we can come up with a treatment plan, which might include:

• Rest and/or activity modification
• Physical therapy
• Medications and/or injections
• Walking aids
• Bracing and splinting
• Orthotics

As you can see, we have a wide range of options that should help get you moving again, without pain.

Please note that if getting to us is a challenge, we might be able to help you find transportation. To learn if you’re eligible for this service or to make an appointment, please call our clinic (718-246-5700)  in Brooklyn, New York, today. 

We serve the Flatbush and East Flatbush, Crown Heights, Park Slope, Little Haiti, Little Caribbean, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens communities.