Do you wake up in the morning and wince in pain as you place your feet on the floor to begin your day? No one wants to feel pain as they walk. If your heel causes you discomfort or pain, it is important to begin treatment immediately. Your podiatrist is the best source for treating and protecting your heel from further damage. With so many complaints that contribute to heel pain, it is important to take all precautions necessary in avoiding heel pain and seeking treatment upon the initial onset of your pain. Begin treatment with Conservative Measures Treatment of heel pain should begin immediately and with conservative treatments, which you can often begin at home. Self-care from home may include: • Stretching exercises • Avoid going barefoot • Ice • Limit activities • Shoe modifications • Medications After several weeks, if you are still experiencing pain, visit your podiatrist for further consultation and treatment. Some conservative treatments offered by your podiatrist often include: • Padding and strapping • Orthotic devices • Injection therapy • Removable walking cast • Night splint • Physical therapy If your heel pain is left untreated, it can keep you from getting much-needed exercise or prevent you from participating in your normal day-to-day activities. Additionally, heel pain that is not treated can also lead to back, knee and hip problems, and other foot conditions, affecting the way you walk. Shockwave Therapy Performed In-Office Shockwave Therapy is performed by your podiatrist on an outpatient basis Shockwave Therapy is a safe and effective alternative treatment for heel pain and only requires a short recovery time. Clinical studies show that there is a 70 percent success rate for treatment or plantar fasciitis using Shockwave Therapy. Shockwave Therapy is used to treat chronic heel pain and is a brief, non-invasive, procedure that lasts approximately 30 minutes. Shockwave Therapy is performed under local anesthesia, and/or "twilight" anesthesia. Strong sound waves are directed at and penetrate the heel area to stimulate a healing response by the body. The sound waves break up the tissue, creating small tunnels through which new blood vessels can grow, and the increased blood supply allows the tissue to heal. The result is a reduction in inflammation and pain from the affected ligament. Cryosurgery Generally, most patients with heel pain respond to non-surgical treatment, but for those who don't surgery may be recommended. Dr. Perlstein can treat irritating heel pain and get you back on your feet with a procedure known as Cryosurgery, which is a minimally invasive surgical technique performed comfortably in just one visit to alleviate pain and nerve problems of the foot. Using localized freezing temperatures to deaden the irritated nerve, the treatment involves inserting a probe into the tissue of the foot. The freezing temperatures produce an anesthetic effect, which reduces inflammation to the site and causes a mild numbing effect for as long as it is applied. The freezing effect inactivates the nerve, and relieves the painful nerve irritation. When early treatments fail, or your heel pain worsens over time, a consultation with Dr. Perlstein will be needed. Depending on the amount of pain experienced, your podiatrist may recommend surgery. It is important to not ignore foot pain, as it can worsen over time, so protect your feet and seek treatment immediately.
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If one step causes a shooting pain to go through your heel, especially when you wake up in the morning to get out of bed, you may have a heel pain, otherwise known as plantar fasciitis. Occurring also when you stand after sitting for an extended period of time, heel pain is not something to be ignored. Continue reading to learn more about heel pain and the treatments available.
Dr. Perlstein is a Brooklyn podiatrist open on Sundays, treating more than 25,000 patients since 1986. This experienced podiatrist offers a wide range of foot and ankle care including emergency care, treatment for bunions and laser toenail fungus in Brooklyn. His office is also open on Sundays.
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