Your heel bears the weight of your body when you stand and walk, so heel pain can greatly disrupt your life – after all, you can’t walk around on your toes all day.
If the pain is mild to moderate, it may be able to be resolved with rest and ice therapy. If the heel pain feels like you’re stepping on a rock, or as if you have needles stabbing into your heel, you will want to see an experienced podiatrist for an evaluation and treatment.
Let’s talk about when you should see a foot doctor for your heel pain, and where you can go in Greater San Antonio for world-class foot care.
When Heel Pain Needs Medical Treatment
It is in your best interest to see a foot doctor for your heel pain if any of the following are true:
The Pain Comes from an Injury
Heel pain can emanate from an injury, including:
- Stress fracture – Small cracks in your bone, which are commonly caused by overuse or repetitive force
- Achilles tendonitis – Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which is the fibrous tissue above the back of your heel, connecting your heel bone to your lower-leg muscles
- Plantar fasciitis – Inflammation or irritation of the plantar fascia, which is the fibrous band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from your toes to your heel
You Experience Severe or Chronic Heel Pain
Intense pain and swelling in your heel warrant a visit to a podiatrist – without medical treatment, the condition could become worse. Your foot doctor will help to alleviate your pain and swelling, so you can get back to enjoying your active lifestyle again.
Your Heel Hurts Even When Resting
Most cases of mild to moderate heel pain only involve pain when you move your foot. When you’re resting the area, the pain generally goes away.
However, if your heel hurts even when you’re lying or sitting down – keeping pressure off of your foot altogether – then you need to see a foot doctor. The podiatrist will conduct a quick visual and manual evaluation, possibly order one or more scans to check for internal wounds, and prescribe or administer treatment that will alleviate your foot pain for good.
The Heel Pain Comes with Other Symptoms
If your heel pain is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, numbness, or tingling, see a podiatrist very soon. Your foot doctor may recommend that you undergo some tests to rule out possible underlying conditions, such as diabetes or an infection.
Heel Pain Doctor in Southern Texas
If you’re looking for a heel pain doctor in the Greater San Antonio area, look no further than The Podiatry Group of South Texas. We have a team of highly skilled and experienced podiatrists who can provide you with the comprehensive care you deserve.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our outstanding podiatrists, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (210) 227-8700 or by filling out our online appointment request form. We have many convenient locations across South Texas, and we look forward to serving you!
