Heel pain is a common complaint among the patients who visit a podiatrist. It can be caused by one of a number of conditions and in many cases, treatment will start at home before it becomes necessary to visit a doctor. If you are suffering from heel pain in Thornton, CO, Dr. Staci Bogin of Elite Foot & Ankle Clinic provides a variety of services that can give you relief.

Home Care For Heel Pain

If your heel pain is disrupting your life, the first thing to do is to get off your foot if you can. Rest is important for resolving heel pain effectively. Apply ice to your heel. Freeze a bottle of water and roll your foot on it. If that isn't something you want to do, just apply ice to your foot in your normal way.  Take a good look at your shoes and make sure they are not a part of the problem. Take OTC pain medication to help with the pain and while you are at the drugstore, pick up a set of gel heel cushions. 

If you try all of these for heel pain in Thornton, CO, and don't get relief, it is time to go and see your podiatrist. 

Treatments Offered By a Podiatrist

The most important thing that a podiatrist provides is a diagnosis. They may recommend an X-ray or an MRI to help them see what is going on under the skin of your foot. Once they can narrow down the potential cause of your pain, a treatment plan can be designed. 

Custom orthotics can help to relieve the pain caused by several different causes of heel pain. These will cradle and support your foot to take the pressure off of the heel. If the cause is a torn Achilles tendon, the pain is usually located in the back of the heel, and it depends on whether the tendon is damaged or torn. In the most serious cases, surgery may be required. 

Plantar fasciitis is pain under the heel and along the bottom of the foot. This is one of the most common causes of heel pain. If conservative methods fail, steroid shots can help to reduce pain. A program of stretching exercises can help to make sure this doesn't turn into a chronic condition. 

Contact Dr. Bogin of Elite Foot & Ankle Clinic when you are suffering from heel pain in Thornton, CO. To make an appointment, give our office a call at (720) 328 2022.