Effective Heel Pain Treatment in Arlington, VA

Young woman massaging her painful heel

Are you bothered by persistent heel pain? Perhaps you are having difficulty running, walking or even standing for an extended period. If so, you don’t have to spend most of your life sitting down. Instead, turn to the board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons at Nirschl Orthopaedic Center in Arlington, Virginia. Our skilled foot and ankle specialists take an individualized approach to treatment. After discussing your symptoms, performing a physical exam and possibly evaluating an imaging study, we will help you overcome your pain and resume your active lifestyle.

What Is Causing Your Heel to Hurt?

Consider that your heel bone must support the entire weight of your body whenever you are standing. This puts a lot of stress on your heels and can lead to heel pain. The team at Nirschl Orthopaedic Center includes Dr. Matthew Buchanan, an experienced foot and ankle specialist who treats a wide range of medical issues that could affect the heel, such as:

  • Achilles tendinitis – Chronic inflammation and irritation of the Achilles tendon, a strong band of fibrous tissue that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone
  • Bursitis – Swelling of a fluid-filled sac (bursa) at the back of the heel bone underneath the Achilles tendon
  • Heel spurs – Bony deposits that form on the underside of the heel bone
  • Plantar fasciitis – Inflammation of the thick band of tissue (fascia) that spans the sole and connects the heel bone to the toes

How Is Heel Pain Treated?

At Nirschl Orthopaedic Center, we emphasize conservative treatment for heel pain whenever possible. Typically, treatment includes a combination of rest, ice pack applications, physical therapy, custom orthotics, splinting, medication and/or injections. To address severe or persistent heel pain, we may suggest a surgical procedure, such as a plantar fasciotomy.

Contact Nirschl Orthopaedic Center at 703-525-2200 today to learn more about the heel pain treatment options we offer or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Buchanan in Arlington, VA.