LOCATED IN HONOLULU, HI
If you have heel pain and it affects your quality of life, help is available from experienced podiatrist Ken G Sakuda, DPM in Honolulu, Hawaii. He finds the root cause of your discomfort and offers conservative or surgical heel pain treatments to get you back on your feet. To see how you can benefit from expert podiatry care, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
What is heel pain?
Heel pain is a common issue that can cause debilitating problems when left untreated. Pinpointing its cause and taking preventive measures is the best way to reduce pain and the risk of heel discomfort returning in the future. Dr. Sakuda is highly trained in treating foot and ankle conditions, including heel pain and its usual causes.
What are the symptoms of heel pain? Heel pain may appear as:
Tenderness
Extreme pain
Pain with exercise
Bony heel growths
Bruising
Redness
Discoloration
Stiffness
Swelling
Pain after sitting or standing
The discomfort you feel can interfere with your ability to work, exercise, move around, and complete everyday tasks. Heel pain may prevent you from living your best life and lead to weight gain because of a sedentary lifestyle. You should seek Dr. Sakuda at the first sign of a problem.
What can cause heel pain?
Plantar fasciitis
Achilles tendonitis
Stress fractures
Bone spurs
Sever’s disease in children
Haglund’s deformity
Bursitis
Inflamed tendons
Bone bruises
Achilles tendonitis can cause tearing or rupturing when left untreated, which may require surgery to repair.
What are the risk factors for heel pain?
More than 2 million people in the United States suffer from heel pain yearly, and it affects people of all ages. Common risk factors include excessive exercise, improper foot mechanics, and having an abnormal foot structure.
Additional risks include being overweight, having foot and ankle arthritis, and being born with high arches or flat feet. Wearing improperly-fitted footwear and spending a lot of time standing can also cause heel discomfort.
Preventive measures include wearing comfortable shoes, warming up and stretching properly, not overtraining, and switching to lower-impact activities if you begin to feel heel discomfort.
How is the cause of heel pain diagnosed?
Dr. Sakuda diagnoses heel pain after discussing your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. He examines your feet and ankles during a physical exam and may order X-rays, an MRI, or an ultrasound to pinpoint the cause of the discomfort.
How is heel pain treated?
Treatment for heel pain depends on its cause and may include laser therapy, physical therapy referrals, medications, wearing orthotic devices, completing stretching exercises, laser therapy (celasers.com), and possible corticosteroid injections using guided ultrasound. Athletic taping or medical taping can help too. Ice the area if needed, wear comfortable footwear, and avoid overtraining to prevent future problems. Surgery, while rarely needed, is also an option.
To find relief from heel pain with the help of Dr. Sakuda, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
Ken G Sakuda, DPM LLC
Phone (appointments): (808) 521-2002
Address: 321 N Kuakini St Ste 801. Honolulu,HI,96817
KUAKINI MEDICAL PLAZA
Fax: (808) 521-0351