Get Heel Pain Relief in Waxahachie, Corsicana & Ennis, TX

Award-Winnng Plantar Fasciitis Heel Pain Specialists in Waxahachie, Ennis, & Corsicana

At Family Foot & Ankle Centers we specialize in heel pain. Plantar fasciitis (heel pain) is pain in the bottom of the heel. This is the most common problem we see and we treat it about 10 times a day. Though plantar fasciitis is the most common condition associated with heel pain, it is possible your pain could be from something else.

Our goal is to diagnose and treat your condition quickly and accurately and provide you with the heel pain relief you are looking for. There’s nothing normal about heel pain so we’re here to help you heal your pain and get back on your feet as soon as possible. 

What Are Symptoms of Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)?

Typical pain presents in the bottom of the heel when standing up. Many people will notice this sharp pain immediately when putting weight on the heel. The pain may then improve slightly after the patient takes several steps, only to return later in the day. As the condition worsens, the pain can become even more intense and interfere with daily life. Many people compare the pain to the feeling that the heel has a deep bruise. Others may develop pain that travels to the arch area or even up the back of the heel as the condition worsens.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis heel pain is caused by a muscle imbalance in the foot and lower leg. This can allow the arch to flatten too much or not flatten enough. Both of these put too much strain on the ligament that attaches into the heel and supports the bottom of the foot. This commonly strained ligament is called the “plantar fascia” and when it becomes inflamed it is called plantar fasciitis. When this ligament becomes strained and inflamed it causes sharp pain. Pain is normally relieved with rest but returns as soon as the person returns to walking.

You Need the Right Diagnosis

The most common conditions that cause severe pain in the heel are numerous and often are associated with each another. Therefore, making a correct diagnosis can be difficult for all but the most experienced foot doctors. Our award-winning podiatrists have both the expertise and experience needed to bring you relief. At all of your Family Foot & Ankle Centers locations, we have state-of-the-art digital x-ray and diagnostic ultrasound available for our patients. This allows us to instantly evaluate both the heel bone and the plantar fascia ligament.

Other Less Common Causes of Heel Pain

Heel spurs. A Heel spur forms at the point where the plantar fascia ligament runs along the bottom of your foot and connects into your heel bone. When this ligament is repeatedly stressed and strained, it causes your body to form a protective bony growth, commonly known as a heel spur. Though heel spurs are a common finding on x-ray, they are rarely the cause of the heel pain. It is the ligament that attaches into the heel spur area that is the cause of the pain and swelling. The ligament must be treated. Years ago, heel spurs were regularly removed but this is no longer common practice.

Bursitis. A soft tissue inflammation on your heel is known as heel bursitis. This inflammation is often a sac of fluid that forms most commonly on the back of the heel.

Achilles tendinitis. Pain at the back of your heel (rather than the underside) is usually caused by a strained Achilles tendon. This condition is caused by inflammation along your tendon and can be extremely painful.

Bone bruise. Your heel bone itself can become bruised and painful if your heel strikes something hard. Many people refer to this as a “stone bruise’. Pain can be sharp and stabbing when walking or even dull and aching. This can mimic plantar fasciitis heel pain but unlike with plantar fasciits, most people remember what caused their heel bruise. 

Advanced Heel Pain Treatments Available in Waxahachie, Ennis, & Corsicana

Treatment for plantar fasciitis usually begins at home. The podiatrists at Family Foot & Ankle Centers have some basic recommendations if you feel that you may have plantar fasciitis. If you have attempted these recommendations or your heel pain has lasted longer than a couple of weeks, please call our office.

1. Stretch the calf muscles several times daily. It is especially important to stretch before standing up.
2. Wear a good supportive shoe at all times, even in the house. Something sitting next to your chair that you can easily slip on and off. AVOID barefoot or stocking feet walking.
3. Limit exercising or excessive walking. Give your heel a chance to heal.
4. Ice the bottom of the 15 minutes at a time as many times as possible throughout the day.

Our foot specialists go beyond the standard treatment and use advanced techniques such as ultrasound guidance for steroid injections to improve accuracy and reduce discomfort from the procedure. Most patients relate little to no discomfort at all. We use other advanced treatments such as heel lifts, plantar fasciitis night splints, custom orthotics and prescription are just a few of the modalities we use to help our patients get better as quickly as possible. 

One of the newest technologies available to specialists is Extracorporeal Pulse Activated Technology (EPAT) to bridge the gap between failed conservative care and surgery. EPAT is a form of shockwave therapy that is noninvasive and not painful. EPAT stimulates new blood flow to the damaged area that starts the healing cascade with no cutting, no complication and no downtime. We were one of the first offices in Texas to offer this in office treatment and OUR PATIENTS LOVE IT. We have achieved heel pain cure rates with conservative treatment alone well over 90%. We are proud to say “We don’t manage heel pain- We FIX heel pain!”.

However, if your pain persists after advanced conservative techniques, surgery can certainly be considered, especially with a success rate of 90-95%. If you choose to have surgery, we’ve got you covered. Most procedures are performed outpatient in under 30 minutes and allow you to walk that day in a protective device. Within two weeks, the majority of our patients are back in sneakers.

Keys To Preventing Plantar Fasciitis

The good news is that plantar fasciitis can often be prevented. Here are some helpful tips to keep heel pain away:

• Maintain a Good Body Weight

Extra pounds significantly increase the pressure on your heels.  This increased pressure causes less shock absorption and stresses the heel bone itself.  This also causes strain to the ligaments and tendons that support this area.

• Wear Good Supportive Shoes

It is essential to wear comfortable issues that have both support and shock absorption. Buy spacious shoes and avoid wearing flip-flops were going barefoot, even in the house.

• Stretch Your Feet and Legs
  

It is important to stretch your calf muscle and arch after resting and before any significant walking.  This can be performed while sitting by straightening your leg and flexing her foot towards your nose.  Once you feel the muscle tighten in the back of the calf, hold that position for 30 seconds and repeat 2 more times.

Another stretch is called the runner’s stretch.  This is done by leaning forward against a wall in using her body weight to help stretch her calf muscles.  This is demonstrated here.

Don’t let heel pain stop you from enjoying life. Our 5-star-rated podiatrists at Family Foot & Ankle Centers are here to help you become pain-free! At Family Foot & Ankle Centers we are improving lives one foot at a time.

 Experience Our Award-Winning Care for Heel Pain Relief in Waxahachie, Corsicana & Ennis, TX Today!

Schedule an appointment today by calling us at 972-597-4132 or by clicking here to use our convenient online form. We offer same-day appointments and have bilingual Spanish-speaking professionals on staff for your convenience. During your appointment, our team will be happy to answer all your questions about our treatments, our office, our flexible payment options, and anything else you may want to know about us! Call today – we can’t wait to help you live your life pain-free!

As the premier podiatry centers in Waxahachie, Corsicana and Ennis, TX, our foot doctors and team at Family Foot & Ankle Centers also provide 5-star podiatry care to patients in our surrounding areas.  We proudly serve patients in Navarro and Ellis counties and surrounding areas including Red Oak, Midlothian, Desoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Duncanville, Arlington and Mansfield. The Foot Specialists at Family Foot & Ankle Centers are improving lives one foot at a time.