When your feet hurt, it can disrupt your life. You never realize how much you rely on them until they hurt. If you have heel pain in Tyler, TX you need relief. Dr. James Kent of East Texas Foot & Ankle Centers can diagnose and treat the cause of your heel pain.

Heel pain is not caused by a single condition; it can be caused by several different things. The first step is to get an accurate diagnosis. A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in feet and ankles and is the one to turn to for heel pain in Tyler, TX.

Causes of Heel Pain

One of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. As many as two million people are treated for this condition every year. The plantar fascia is a thin, strong ligament that runs from the toes to the heel just below the skin on the foot. It supports the arch on the bottom of the foot. This ligament needs to be strong when you consider the amount of pressure and stress that is placed on it by just the normal daily activities of walking. When you add anything extra to this such as exercise, sports, dancing, or running, the plantar fascia may become overworked and tear or stretch. 

Other causes of heel pain can be a bone spur, bursitis, bruise to heel, and Achilles tendonitis. With Achilles tendonitis, the location of the pain is different; it is in the back of the heel. 

Treatments for Heel Pain

Nine out of 10 patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis will recover in less than a year. The first thing you must do to start your recovery is to rest and stop the activity that is causing the issue. In place of exercises that are causing stress to your heel, you will be given low-stress exercises to maintain your health and fitness. Stretching exercises are very effective in the treatment of this condition. Ice can help to treat acute pain and give continued relief. 

NSAIDs can help lower inflammation and treat pain, as can physical therapy to restore foot strength and mobility. Your podiatrist may recommend supportive shoes and custom orthotics to help you enjoy being on your feet again. 

Heel spurs respond to the same treatments as plantar fasciitis. A heel wedge can be helpful with bursitis and other treatments. Treatment for Achilles tendonitis is similar to other heel conditions, but some of the exercises will be different. If there is no improvement, surgery is an option that needs to be considered. 

When you need help with heel pain in Tyler, TX you can count on Dr. Kent at East Texas Foot & Ankle Centers to provide the relief you require. Call the office at 903-939-3668 to make an appointment today.