Skip to main content

Heel Pain And Plantar Fasciitis Specialist

Pritesh Patel, DPM -  - Board Qualified Podiatrist

Pritesh Patel, DPM

Board Qualified Podiatrist located in Boca Raton, FL

If your heel hurts, it’s difficult to perform the most basic tasks, like walking. Relief is just around the corner at Florida Foot and Ankle Associates in Boca Raton, Florida. Pritesh Patel, DPM, has a toolbox full of therapies to put your plantar fasciitis behind you. Call or click the “book now” button to make an appointment with Dr. Patel and get back on your feet.

Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis Q & A

What causes heel pain?

Heel pain can be attributed to a number of injuries and medical conditions such as:

  • Bursitis
  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Arthritis
  • Heel spur
  • Stress fractures

The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. Because so many conditions can lead to heel pain, it’s important to get evaluated by a qualified physician.

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a condition characterized by inflammation along the plantar fascia or the band of tissue that connects the toes to the heel. People with flat feet or high arches are more prone to develop plantar fasciitis.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis tend to include:

  • Pain along the heel or arches
  • Worse pain after periods of inactivity
  • Heel swelling
  • Pain that worsens over time

If you experience heel pain or any of the symptoms above, it’s important to schedule a visit with Dr. Patel.

When should I see a podiatrist for heel pain?

As an expert in heel pain, Dr. Patel has the best ability to accurately diagnose your condition and help you recover. You should make an appointment with him if any of the following apply to you:

  • You’ve experienced an injury to your foot
  • You can’t place weight on your heels or foot
  • Your foot pain doesn’t subside after a few weeks even after using proper self-care measures
  • Your pain worsens or changes over time

Dr. Patel performs an examination and follow-up testing to rule out other causes of pain and confirm diagnosis. Once he has a diagnosis, Dr. Patel can take the most effective steps to treat it.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Dr. Patel takes your lifestyle, medical history, personal preferences, and condition into consideration to plan a treatment approach. He recommends a combination of conservative approaches to improve recovery.

Those approaches include:

  • Targeted exercises and stretches
  • Shoe modifications
  • Ice and rest
  • Anti-inflammatory medication

If your heel pain is severe or the methods above don’t improve it, Dr. Patel may include more progressive therapies such as:

  • Padding, taping, and splinting
  • Custom orthotics
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Regenerative medicine
  • Physical therapy

Although most people are able to avoid surgery thanks to the number of treatments available, surgery might be the best option for some complicated cases of plantar fasciitis.

Reach out to Dr. Patel online or over the phone to get a leg up on your heel pain.