Heel Pain Specialist

Prime Foot and Ankle Care, LLC

Paul Georges, DPM

Podiatrist located in Chelmsford, MA & Gardner, MA

Acute or chronic heel pain can affect the way you walk and interfere with your daily activities and quality of life. Dr. Paul Georges and his staff at Prime Foot and Ankle Care, treat heel pain by first identifying the underlying cause and then working diligently to resolve it through innovative and highly effective treatment. If you’ve been suffering from heel pain, take care of yourself by scheduling a comprehensive examination today. Dr. Georges serves the greater Lowell, Massachusetts area, including Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, Westford, Billerica, and Tyngsboro.

Heel Pain Q & A

What causes heel pain?

Heel pain is a very common foot problem that usually affects the underside or back of your heel. While it usually isn’t indicative of a serious condition, it can interfere with your daily life. The most common causes of heel pain are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Other causes of heel pain include:

Achilles tendon rupture
Bone tumor
Bursitis
Heel spur
Reactive arthritis
Retrocalcaneal bursitis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Stress fractures
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Nerve irritation

How is heel pain diagnosed?

Diagnosis depends on the patient’s signs and symptoms. Some conditions can be easily diagnosed based on medical history, signs and symptoms, and physical examination, while others may require further diagnostic testing.

You should see Dr. Georges immediately if you have:

Severe pain and swelling near your heel
An inability to bend your foot downward, rise on your toes or walk normally
Heel pain with fever, numbness or tingling in your heel
Severe heel pain immediately after an injury
Heel pain that continues when you're not walking or standing
Heel pain that lasts more than a few weeks, even after trying rest, ice, and other home treatments

What kind of doctor diagnoses and treats heel pain?

Podiatrists specialize in the treatment of heel pain and other conditions affecting the foot and ankle. They receive additional specialized training following the completion of medical school, treat complex conditions of the foot every day, and receive extensive continuing education regarding foot and ankle health each year to maintain their expertise in the field.

Dr. Georges at Prime Foot and Ankle Care is a podiatrist, which means that he has dedicated his career to preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions of the foot and ankle.

How is heel pain treated?

How Dr. Georges treats heel pain will depend on the underlying condition that has caused your pain.

In some cases, exercises, stretches, rest, custom orthotics, and non-invasive home treatments can dramatically reduce symptoms and promote healing. In other cases, anti-inflammatory medication, cortisone injections, or even surgery may be required in order to address the underlying diagnosis.

Dr. Georges works closely with his patients to determine the least invasive, most effective treatment for their condition.