Heel pain, while quite common, can be extremely uncomfortable and painful if not met with proper care or treatment. Heel pain may occur if you injure or overuse the heel. If left uncared for, the affected area may worsen, limiting your mobility and making it difficult to perform everyday activities, such as walking.
There are many different causes of heel pain, including strains or sprains, tarsal tunnel syndrome, stress fractures, Achilles tendonitis, and heel bursitis. One of the most common causes of heel pain for children and teenagers specifically is Sever’s disease. Sever’s disease can develop due to overuse or repetitive microtrauma of the heel bone's growth plates. This condition is often seen among those who are active in sporting activities.
Other causes of heel pain may include issues with poor circulation, poor posture when walking or running, a soft tissue mass, and a rupture of the Achilles tendon. To help ease the discomfort of heel pain, it’s advised that you get plenty of rest, apply ice to the affected area, and wear shoes that fit properly. In some more serious cases, a podiatrist might recommend the use of custom orthotics or shoe inserts for extra support.
If you’re experiencing heel pain, we recommend you consult with a podiatrist as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions.
That first-step pain is the classic sign of plantar fasciitis. The fascia — the thick band of tissue under your foot — tightens overnight, and the first steps re-stretch inflamed tissue. Targeted stretching, supportive footwear, and custom orthotics from our Escondido clinic address the cause rather than just the symptom.
We start conservatively: gait analysis, stretching protocols, footwear guidance, and custom-molded orthotics. For stubborn cases we offer advanced options including regenerative therapies and laser treatment. Surgery is a last resort — the large majority of patients recover without it.
Most patients feel meaningful improvement within 4 to 8 weeks of starting structured treatment, though full recovery can take several months for long-standing cases. The earlier it is treated, the faster it resolves — chronic heel pain that has lasted over a year responds more slowly.
No referral is needed for most insurance plans. Call (760) 546-2220 or book online — same-week appointments at our Escondido office are often available, and we accept most major PPO and Medicare plans.
