Heel Pain(Plantar Fasciitis)
Common Foot Pain on the Bottom of the Heel
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common problems we see in the office. A patient describes a sharp pain on the bottom of their heel upon stepping out of bed in the morning or after rest. Others describe not being able to stand for longer than a couple of hours and then experiencing severe pain on the bottom of the heel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heel Pain
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Why am I having heel pain when I get out of bed in the morning?
There is a tight band on the bottom of the foot called the plantar fascia. When you go to bed at night your foot on the bottom is plantarflexed(toes point down) and if you jump out of bed with out stretching first you can tear or inflame the fascia. We call this type of heel pain plantar fasciitis.
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What is a heel spur? Do Heels spurs go away on their own?
A heel spur usually occurs because the tendon or fascia attached to the bone is tight. If the Achilles tendon is tight and you get up too quickly, the tendon pulls on the attachment to the bone. Your bone has a membrane called the periosteum, as the tendon pulls on this structure a little over time new bone is formed in the area. This will not go away on its own, but we always tell patients if it does not hurt there is really no reason for surgery.
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What is Sever's Disease and how did my child get Sever's Disease?
Sever's Disease is a condition that for most children resolves with minimal intervention from the podiatrist. If your child is playing a sport like soccer, basketball any impact sport where there is a lot of pounding a child can inflame their growth plate. That essentially is what Sever's Disease is, an inflammation of the growth plate of the heel bone
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Can I get rid of my heel pain?
The short answer is yes. No matter if you have plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis or Sever's disease these are all very resolvable problems. Sometimes the simplest things can help this get better. Our Heel Pain Center is a beacon of excellence that has been successfully treating patients with these problems for over 20 years.
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How do I get rid of my heel pain?
It really depends where your heel pain is. It is best to get in and see your podiatrist to get the most accurate diagnosis. Sometimes people think they have plantar fasciitis but really they have a nerve entrapment.
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Why is my heel pain only in one foot?
Plantar fasciitis is commonly only in one foot. You may have had slight trauma to that side or may have tighter muscles on that side of your leg.
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Can Plantar Fasciitis go away?
Yes, but if you are struggling you need to see a podiatrist to get a personal treatment plan to get you better. It usually is 6-8 weeks of conservative care to get 100% better.
Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain Facts
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Who is the best person to see for an heel pain or plantar fasciitis?
A podiatrist is the short answer. Dedicated medical professionals who specialize in all foot and ankle problems below the knee. The longer answer is if you have heel pain and live near Clermont Florida or Leesburg Florida, The Center for Ankle and Foot Care is a premier podiatry office that has a Heel Pain Center dedicated to helping those struggling with plantar fasciitis or heel pain.
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How do I get ride of my heel pain?
Getting rid of your heel pain usually starts with getting the most accurate diagnosis. This is done by seeing your podiatrist. There is a lot of information out there on the internet, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. In the era of "influencers" it is best to stick with your doctor for the most accurate diagnosis before doing "Goat Yoga for Heel Pain". Not saying that doesn't sound fun or possibly effective but if you have a foot fracture or pinched nerve in your back, the Goat Yoga could be "baaaaad." (that's a goat joke.)
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What are some of the best treatments for plantar fasciitis?
One of the most common causes of heel pain or plantar fasciitis can be a very tight posterior muscle complex. Tight calf muscles often can be a culprit of heel pain. It is very common to leave the Center for Ankle and Foot Care with a cheat sheet for stretching your calf muscles.
Dr. Henne Shows How To Stretch Calf Muscles
Rolling a frozen water bottle under the foot can stretch the fascia and the ice is a natural anti-inflammatory.
Supporting the fascia even at home is very important. I always recommend to my patient get an Oofos recovery slide or flip flop.
Our Doctors
Meet the doctors of The Center for Ankle and Foot Care. The are dedicated to help keep you on your feet! We our accepting new patients and often have same day appointments in our Clermont Florida and Leesburg Florida offices.
Dr. Michele McGowan
Podiatrist
Grounded yet board-certified in foot surgery, Dr. McGowan dedicates ample time to truly understand her patients' issues. She is committed to exploring every conservative treatment option to prevent surgery and ensure you remain active and pain-free.
Dr Timothy Henne
Podiatrist
Specialist In Heel Pain Treatment
Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis
Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
- Stretching
- Icing
- Orthotics (custom or over the counter depending on need)
- Good shoes
- No Barefoot, we recommend Oofos recovery flip flops
- Medication to reduce inflammation
3D Printed Orthotics
This technology allows our doctors to make sure your custom orthotics are perfect. The precision and customization possible with 3D printing and scanning technology has been a huge game changer in us helping your feet feel their best.
Dr. Henne and Dr. McGowan are excited to be able to get you back on your feet. This technology allows our doctors to in real time add modifications to relieve pressure on areas causing you pain on your feet. Our Clermont Podiatrists can help you decide if this will help you with your heel pain. Not everyone needs custom foot orthotics but getting a good biomechanical exam of the foot can help determine what is best for your foot health.
Not all Heel pain is plantar fasciitis
Why does my heel hurt? Why am I having pain with first steps in the morning? Why does it hurt on the back of my heel? Why does my child's heel hurt? We can help answer these questions and try to provide solutions.
Plantar Fasciitis
A stabbing pain in the bottom of the heel when getting out of bed in the morning or after a period of rest. Or being unable to stand for more than a few hours without experiencing intense pain in the bottom of the heel.
Achilles Tendonitis
Discomfort at the point where the Achilles Tendon attaches to the heel bone or occasionally higher up on the tendon. This may be accompanied by swelling and significant tenderness during activities.
Sever's Disease
Between the ages of 10 and 14, a condition known as Sever's Disease or calcaneal apophysitis is frequently seen in children who participate in sports. This is particularly true for activities that involve jumping, running, or any sport that heavily engages the feet.