Most people tend to forget about their feet—until there’s a problem. Heel pain affects millions of Americans each year, and when it strikes it can hobble you, making it very difficult to get through your day.
Most heel pain conditions can be resolved through conservative care, and sometimes even completely at home. That’s the good news! However, it’s also important to remember that no two feet are the same, and what works for one person’s heel pain may not be the best treatment strategy for someone else.
For example, is your heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis, bursitis, Achilles tendinitis, stress fractures, or something else? Are flat feet, high arches, a gait abnormality, or other structural or biomechanical flaws contributing factors? Are you getting the support you need from your shoes and making smart choices when exercising or training?
That’s where the podiatrist comes in. A podiatrist is a doctor specially trained to diagnose and treat conditions of the feet and ankles, and are the best choice for help when persistent heel pain is keeping you off your feet.
The first step is getting you a correct diagnosis. We’ll talk to you about your symptoms, ask about your activities and when you first noticed the pain, perform a physical examination and, if necessary, take an X-ray or other test to nail down the correct cause of your pain.
Once we know that, we can personalize a treatment course tailored to best meet your needs and goals. Some conditions may only require a few weeks of rest and a new pair of shoes, while others may benefit from physical therapy, orthotics, or other options. Fortunately, surgery is rarely necessary to treat even severe heel pain, and we always strive to exhaust conservative options first. That said, if you do need surgery, we can provide that too, and work hard to make it as minimally invasive as possible.
No two feet, or two people, are the same. When your heels hurt, you need solutions that will work for you, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Family Foot & Ankle Center. Our team will happily see you at any of our conveniently located Greater Cincinnati podiatry offices. To schedule, give us a call today at (888) 689-3317.
