Heel Pain

What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office

Your doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical examination, including a full exam of your feet and legs.

To help diagnose the cause of the problem, your doctor will ask medical history questions, such as:

• Have you have had this type of heel pain before? If so, what was the diagnosis and what caused the problem?
• When did this episode of pain begin?
• Where exactly is your pain?
• Is the pain dull and aching or sharp and stabbing?
• Is it worse after you exercise?
• Is it worse when you are standing?
• Do you have any swelling or redness of your heel?
• Have you had a fall or have you twisted your foot recently?
• Are you a runner? How far do you run? How often do you run? On what type of surface do you run?
• Do you walk or stand on your feet for long periods of time?
• What kind of shoes do you wear?
• Do you have any other symptoms?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include a foot x-ray, focusing on the heel.

If either plantar fasciitis or bursitis is diagnosed and if shoe changes and the use of orthotics have not been successful, cortisone injections may be tried. Surgery is a last resort and is seldom necessary.

If Achilles tendinitis is diagnosed, anti-inflammatory medicine may be prescribed. Heel lifts may be used. In particularly unresponsive cases, a walking cast may be helpful. Surgery is not usually necessary.