Get relief from your foot and heel pain
Understanding foot and heel pain
From your first steps to your first marathon, your feet carry you through life’s most important moments. And when a problem occurs in any of the 26 bones or over 30 small joints in your feet, it can cause pain that affects your daily life.
From guidance on proper athletic footwear, custom orthotics and evaluation of your gait and posture, our podiatrists are here to help you find a treatment that helps relieve your foot and heel pain.
Our podiatry specialists treat a range of foot and heel problems and can help you find relief from foot and heel conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Bone spurs and plantar fasciitis
- Bunions (hallux valgus)
- Bursitis
- Corns, calluses and warts
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Flat feet
- Foot deformities
- Foot ulcers and wounds
- Foot, heel, arch and heel pain
- Fractures
- Gout
- Hammer toe
- Ingrown toenails
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Tendinitis
- Toe numbness and deformities
Foot and heel pain conditions
Overuse, injuries and chronic conditions can all contribute to or worsen existing foot and heel pain. These can include:
- Plantar fasciitis: When the ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes becomes inflamed and irritated, plantar fasciitis occurs. This is the most common cause of heel pain.
- Osteoarthritis: The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis forms when the protective cartilage between your bones (which acts as a cushion) wears down.
- Inflammatory arthritis: This form of arthritis occurs when joints become inflamed due to an overactive immune system. It is less common than osteoarthritis and, for most people, occurs later in life.
- Sports injury: If you have injured your heel or foot during a sport, it can cause foot and heel pain that can come on suddenly or persist over time. Your podiatrist may refer you to a sports medicine specialist for further treatment.
- Peripheral neuropathy: When the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord (called the peripheral nerves) are damaged, it results in numbness, pain and weakness that typically affects your hands and feet. This can occur as a result of diabetes, injuries, infections, inherited conditions or exposure to toxins.
Diagnosing foot and heel pain
Most people self-diagnose foot and heel pain at home. But if you’ve tried treatments like rest, ice and taking over-the-counter pain medication and your pain doesn’t subside, you should reach out to your doctor for tests and further treatment.
Our experienced team of podiatry specialists are experienced in diagnosing and treating foot and heel pain. Tests to diagnose foot and heel pain may include:
- Physical exam – During a physical exam, your doctor feels for any issues in the bones and joints in your foot and heel. They may also watch you walk to observe how your foot and heel move, which can help them pinpoint a diagnosis.
- X-ray – After a physical exam, your doctor may order an X-ray, which takes an image of the bones in your foot and heel and can help identify any issues.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – Your doctor may also order an MRI, which takes a detailed image of the bones and tissue in your foot and heel, which can help your doctor diagnose issues like a sprain.
If you are experiencing excruciating pain or swelling, you have an open wound or signs of infection (redness, warmth, tenderness, or fever) or you are unable to walk, seek immediate medical attention.
Foot and heel pain treatment
From non-surgical to surgical treatment, our highly trained team of podiatry specialists will create a personalized treatment plan that’ll get you back on your feet as soon as possible.
One or more of the following treatments may be recommended:
Orthopaedic care at Geisinger
- Comprehensive podiatry care: Get treatment for a wide range of foot conditions, from common foot pain to complex wound management. Our podiatrists will work with you to create a custom treatment plan and with doctors in other specialty areas, including orthopaedics, to make sure you get the care you need.
- World-class care, close to home: With locations throughout central, northeast and west-central Pennsylvania, our experienced podiatry team provides evaluations, consultations and comprehensive care. We offer leading-edge treatment options and tailored-to-you care backed by the expertise and innovation of a nationally renowned health system.
- Orthotic care: Our orthotics specialists provide custom braces and shoes that help treat several types of foot and ankle pain, foot complications related to diabetes and more. Orthotics offer treatment devices for people of all ages and is just one of the ways we help runners and other athletes take care of their feet.