Heel pain is one of the most common problems that podiatrists treat. In most cases, this condition can be treated without surgery, statistically, about 90% of the time.
Treatment can consist of some or all of the following: Oral anti-inflammatory medication; injectable medication; orthotic devices to control motion of the foot; splints/stretching devices; physical therapy.
Diagnostic tools to help determine the nature of the problem and the most likely methods of eliminating the pain are x-rays, diagnostic ultrasound examination, occasionally bone scans and MRI examination.
When surgery becomes necessary and the patient does not respond to conservative treatment, there are a variety of surgical procedures that can be employed depending upon many factors; this needs to be discussed with the surgeon.
The mere prescence of a heel spur on an x-ray does not mean that this is the reason for the pain. It does not necessarily need to be removed and many people are walking around without any heel pain and have large heel spurs that they are not even aware of!
