Pain at the back of the heel may signal irritation of the Achilles tendon, the strong band of tissue connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. This tendon helps lift the heel with each step and supplies power for running and jumping. Achilles tendinitis develops when repeated strain causes inflammation in the tendon. A sudden increase in exercise, tight calf muscles, or shoes that lack proper support adds to stress on the tendon. Although runners frequently develop Achilles tendinitis, it also affects people who exercise occasionally. Pain usually develops gradually and becomes more noticeable after activity or with the first steps in the morning. 

The location of pain helps distinguish two forms of Achilles tendinitis. Insertional tendinitis affects the area where the tendon attaches to the heel bone. Noninsertional tendinitis affects the middle portion of the tendon, above the heel. Both forms may cause tenderness, swelling, and stiffness. The tendon might also become thicker, and bending the ankle may feel uncomfortable. Bone spurs sometimes develop near the tendon attachment and add irritation. A podiatrist examines the painful area and checks ankle movement. Reviewing activity patterns and evaluating foot structure helps identify contributing factors. Imaging tests provide additional information when the diagnosis remains unclear or a tear is suspected. 

Treatment focuses on reducing tendon strain and restoring comfortable movement. A podiatrist recommends shoes suited to the patient's foot structure and evaluates whether heel lifts or custom orthotics would reduce stress. A walking boot provides protection when symptoms are severe. For persistent problems, the podiatrist discusses additional treatment options and determines whether surgery is needed. Follow-up visits help track healing and guide a gradual return to activity. A sudden pop in the back of the heel with difficulty pushing off requires prompt attention. If you have symptoms of Achilles tendinitis, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Mark Isenberg, DPM of Center for Podiatric Excellence. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Pensacola, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis develops when the plantar fascia becomes irritated and swollen. This band of tissue is a ligament that runs from the heel bone toward the toes. It supports the arch and helps absorb force when walking. Repeated strain can cause tiny tears that lead to pain near the bottom of the heel. The discomfort is sharpest with the first steps after getting out of bed. It can also return after sitting for a long period of time. Stiffness and swelling can occur, and the pain may increase after exercise.

Several factors can place too much stress on the plantar fascia. Running, jumping, and standing for long periods of time on a hard surface can increase the strain. A sudden increase in activity can also trigger symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Other risk factors include tight calf muscles, excess body weight, and being between ages 40 and 60. Flat feet or high arches can change how pressure moves through the foot. Although heel spurs may appear on an X-ray, these bony growths are not always the source of pain. An exam from a podiatrist helps distinguish plantar fasciitis from a stress fracture, nerve problem, or other cause of heel discomfort.

A podiatrist can examine the tender area and check foot and ankle movement. The visit includes a review of activity levels, shoes, and when symptoms occur. X-rays can help rule out a fracture or bone problem. A podiatrist can recommend properly fitted shoes or prescribe custom orthotics to improve support and reduce pressure. Treatment also includes taping or wearing a night splint that gently holds the foot in a better position while sleeping. Other office-based treatments can be discussed for persistent pain. Surgery is rarely required. It is considered only when continued care has not provided expected relief. If you have heel pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Mark Isenberg, DPM  from Center for Podiatric Excellence. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Pensacola, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Two pea-sized bones, called sesamoids, sit beneath the big-toe joint, within the tendons at the ball of the foot. They work like small pulleys, helping the tendons move smoothly and supporting the foot as it pushes off the ground. Sesamoiditis develops when the tendons and tissues surrounding these bones become irritated. Pain usually begins gradually beneath the big toe and can worsen when walking, running, or bending the toe upward. The area can also become swollen or tender. Unlike a sesamoid fracture, which can cause sudden pain after an injury, sesamoiditis usually results from repeated stress.

Activities that place repeated pressure on the forefoot can raise the risk of sesamoiditis. Running, dancing, and sporting activities that require quick bursts of movement are frequent causes. High-heeled shoes can shift extra weight toward the ball of the foot. Shoes that lack proper support or cushioning can also increase pressure beneath the big toe. A podiatrist can carefully examine the location of the pain and check how the big toe moves. X-rays can help rule out a fracture. When the cause remains unclear, other imaging tests can reveal tissue irritation or a small stress injury.

A podiatrist focuses on reducing pressure, controlling painful movement, and allowing the irritated area to recover. One treatment option is wearing cushioned or stiff-soled shoes. In addition, custom orthotics can improve weight distribution and reduce stress beneath the big-toe joint. Special padding can protect the sesamoids, and taping can keep the toe from bending too far. In some cases, a removable brace may be recommended. Surgery is rarely considered, but it can be an option when persistent symptoms do not respond to other care. Early diagnosis is important because a fracture and sesamoiditis can feel similar but require different treatment plans. If you have symptoms of sesamoiditis, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Sesamoiditis is an unpleasant foot condition characterized by pain in the balls of the feet. If you think you’re struggling with sesamoiditis, contact Mark Isenberg, DPM of Center for Podiatric Excellence. Our doctor will treat your condition thoroughly and effectively.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is a condition of the foot that affects the ball of the foot. It is more common in younger people than it is in older people. It can also occur with people who have begun a new exercise program, since their bodies are adjusting to the new physical regimen. Pain may also be caused by the inflammation of tendons surrounding the bones. It is important to seek treatment in its early stages because if you ignore the pain, this condition can lead to more serious problems such as severe irritation and bone fractures.

Causes of Sesamoiditis

• Sudden increase in activity
• Increase in physically strenuous movement without a proper warm up or build up
• Foot structure: those who have smaller, bonier feet or those with a high arch may be more susceptible

Treatment for sesamoiditis is non-invasive and simple. Doctors may recommend a strict rest period where the patient forgoes most physical activity. This will help give the patient time to heal their feet through limited activity. For serious cases, it is best to speak with your doctor to determine a treatment option that will help your specific needs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Pensacola, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Heel spurs are bony growths that develop on the heel bone. They can form where the plantar fascia, a strong band of tissue along the bottom of the foot, attaches to the heel. Repeated strain on this tissue and the foot muscles can contribute to spur formation. Heel spurs are also linked with plantar fasciitis, which causes irritation in the plantar fascia. However, a heel spur does not always cause pain. Some people have a spur that is discovered on an X-ray even though they have no heel symptoms.

When heel spurs do cause symptoms, patients can feel pain and tenderness on the bottom of the heel. Discomfort can become more noticeable when standing, walking, or running. Some people describe the pain as feeling like pins pressing into the bottom of the foot. Because several foot problems can cause heel pain, identifying the source is important. A podiatrist can examine the heel, ask about activities that trigger discomfort, and evaluate foot structure. Imaging can also show whether a bony growth is present and help confirm the diagnosis.

A podiatrist can develop a treatment plan based on the cause and severity of heel pain. Treatment can focus on reducing pressure around the heel and improving the way the foot functions. Options can include custom orthotics, supportive shoe recommendations, and targeted stretching. A podiatrist can also evaluate whether plantar fasciitis or another foot problem is contributing to the symptoms. When pain continues despite conservative treatment, other treatment choices can be discussed. If you have symptoms of heel spurs, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for diagnosis and treatment.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact Mark Isenberg, DPM from Center for Podiatric Excellence. Our doctor will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Pensacola, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.