Heel Pain And Heel Spur Specialist

What is a heel pain?

Heel pain is one of the most common complaint for which patient seek podiatric care.  The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, which is the inflammation of the thick ligament on the bottom of the foot.  As this condition could be rather debilitating, and interfere with a person's walking or daily activities, early treatment is always recommended.  People with very low or very high arches on the bottom of their feet are especially prone to developing this condition and its symptoms.  Those who participate in certain sports, those who are overweight and those whose occupations require them to stand for long periods of time are particularly susceptible to this heel pain. Treatments for this condition vary, but are most commonly aimed at resolving the pain and symptoms, and addressing the cause, in order to ensure the symptoms do not recur.   Dr. Tabari specializes in finding just the right treatment for you so that you can walk out of the office in less pain.

Will I know if I have a heel spur?

Possibly. Not all heel spurs cause pain: Only about half of the patients with heel spurs have pain. Or if you do have pain in your heel, it's not necessarily a heel spur.

Usually what brings patients into the office is general foot or heel pain, not a visible heel spur. Sometimes Dr. Tabari can see changes in soft tissues or can even spot a heel spur during your exam. Typically though, he discovers a heel spur through an X-ray of your foot.

Why do I have a heel spur?

Most heel spurs stem from muscle or ligament strain. But it takes a long time for them to form — they don't develop overnight. You may have a heel spur that’s caused by:

• Frequent exercise, especially on hard surfaces
• Wearing poorly fitting shoes
• Bruising your heel
• Being overweight or obese
• Arthritis or improper walking

Often, plantar fasciitis and heel spurs are linked, which is a severe strain of the ligaments in the arch of your foot. If you have plantar fasciitis and continue to experience unresolved pain, you could also have a heel spur.  

How are heel spurs treated?

Applying cold compresses after exercising or walking is beneficial for decreasing inflammation caused by heel spurs. Dr. Tabari can inject anti-inflammatory medications to help further improve pain. You might also benefit from:

• Custom orthotic shoe inserts
• Rest and elevation
• Physical therapy

Stretching and strengthening exercises

If none of these treatments work for you, it's possible that Dr. Tabari could recommend surgery. Heel spur surgery involves removing your heel spur. If you also have plantar fasciitis, he could repair that ligament to help further improve heel spur discomfort.  

Before living another day with heel pain, book an appointment with Dr. Tabari either online, or over the phone.