Dr. John Patton is the podiatrist in Elko, NV, you need to help manage your heel pain. Heel pain is very common, but that does not mean you are supposed to suffer through it without support from your foot doctor. Read more about heel pain and make an appointment today to take better care of your feet.
Heel Pain
Heel pain is a common complaint at our podiatrist in Elko, NV, and anyone can experience it, whether you are an extremely active athlete or just spend a lot of time on your feet. Heel pain, or plantar fasciitis, occurs when the plantar fascia, the thick band of muscle that runs along the base of your foot, becomes inflamed.
You may notice the pain is at its worst when you first wake up or stand up and subsides as you move around and stretch out your foot. For this reason, many patients continue to hobble around in the morning without seeking help from their foot doctor, but we are here to help you manage the pain.
Managing the Pain
As with any overuse injury, resting and keeping weight off the feet will be important to help you heal. Icing the heels can help decrease inflammation and ease your pain, and you can do it several times a day for relief.
Custom shoe orthotics help many patients manage heel pain. Our podiatrist in Elko, NV, custom fits your feet with orthotics you wear inside your shoes. They provide extra support for your heel to relieve pain and absorb impact.
Over-the-counter medications can help relieve pain, and your podiatrist will also prescribe stretching and strengthening exercises for your feet.
For more severe pain and swelling, your doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (EWST) to help relieve heel pain. If your pain does not improve it could mean there is another cause of your heel pain, or you could need plantar fascia release surgery, which is rare.
Get Help Today
When you need a podiatrist in Elko, NV, to help manage your heel pain, Dr. Patton is here for you. Contact us for an appointment today at (775) 753-4044.