Self-Diagnosing Untreated Heel Pain

There is no need to suffer from untreated heel pain. However, it can be tricky to decide when to see a podiatrist to dig deeper into the cause of your pain and when to try at-home treatments to manage the pain. We hope that this guide will help provide guidelines for discovering the probable cause of your heel pain and how to proceed further.

Different Types of Heel Pain

To ascertain if your heel pain is severe enough to see a podiatrist, here are some questions you should ask yourself.

• When did my heel pain start?
  1. Heel pain that begins directly after an injury is likely related and should be seen as soon as possible by a podiatrist.
  2. Heel pain that develops slowly over an extended period may sometimes be treated at home but may also require a visit to a foot doctor.

• Where is my heel pain located?
  1. Pain in the sole of the heel may be a sign of plantar fasciitis.
  2. Pain at the back of the heel and up the ankle may be an injury to the Achilles tendon.
  3. A painful bump on the back of the foot is often a symptom of Haglund’s deformity, a type of bony growth.

• When do I feel the most pain?
  1. Pain in the morning or after extended periods of sitting can be a sign that you suffer from plantar fasciitis.
  2. If you have pain after running or wearing tight shoes, this could be a symptom of either Achilles tendonitis or Haglund’s deformity.

Read more in our blog: What Is Haglund’s Syndrome and Can Achilles Tendon Surgery Treat It?

What If I Am Still Not Sure?

While online guides can be helpful to narrow down the cause of your heel pain, the only way to be truly confident in a diagnosis is to see a podiatrist. If you are located in the Queens or Brooklyn area of NYC and are looking for a quality foot doctor, Best Foot Doctor is here to help. Our experienced staff will listen to your concerns and perform the necessary tests to identify the cause of your pain. In addition, having a solid understanding of when your pain started, the effects of rest and exercise on it, and where it hurts will help you explain things to our doctors. The more information you can give them, the better they will be able to help you. 

What Is A Podiatrist?

A doctor of podiatric medicine, commonly called a podiatrist, diagnoses, treats, and helps prevent injuries and health conditions in the lower extremities. Podiatrists are experts in caring for foot conditions. We are often asked about the difference between podiatrists and orthopedic specialists. Orthopedic specialists are medical doctors who concentrate on the musculoskeletal functions of the entire body. While some orthopedic specialists do focus on foot and ankle wellness, a podiatrist will often have more experience in this field due to the specialized nature of their education and practice. If you are unsure of the cause of your untreated heel pain, you probably should see a podiatrist instead of an orthopedist.

If you are dealing with heel pain and have not been able to identify the cause, please give us a call to schedule an appointment with one of our Best Foot Doctor NY podiatrists.