With school sports seasons in full swing, it’s important to remember athletes should never “play through the pain” in their feet. Left untreated, heel pain can lead to difficulty in walking that may require complicated therapy or treatment.

Our Podiatrists at Midtown Podiatry have been seeing an increase in pediatric patients reporting heel pain with sports such as football, soccer and basketball. Obesity is also emerging as another prominent cause of heel pain even with students in physical education class activities. The good news is that kids generally heal very quickly and treatment may be simple if it is taken care of promptly.

Kids undergoing growth spurts are especially susceptible to heel pain starting at age 8 until around age 13 for girls and 15 for boys. The source of the pain is usually the growth plate of the heel bone, a strip of soft tissue where new bone is forming to accommodate adolescents’ lengthening feet. Overuse, repeated pounding or excessive force on the Achilles tendon can cause inflammation and pain.

For many teenagers, the growth plate has completely closed, and heel pain is caused by other conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, bursitis, bone bruises or fractures. The only way to know for sure what your child is suffering from is to have them examined.

People have a tendency to give it time and see if the pain goes away on its own, and sometimes that can happen. But if symptoms persist, it’s best to make an appointment at Midtown Podiatry with locations in Midtown, Gramercy Park, Union Square, Wall Street  and Glen Cove to make an accurate diagnosis and to avoid complications.

By: Paul J. Betschart, DPM

Are you waking up in the morning and feeling severe pain when you step out of bed? If so, you may be suffering from Plantar Fasciitis.

Dr. John Doolan discusses what Plantar Fasciitis is, what causes it and what are some typical treatment options to correct it.

To watch the video click here

If you can relate to what Dr. Doolan is talking about and think you may be suffering from Plantar Fasciitis then make an appointment today to see the Podiatrists at Midtown Podiatry with locations in Midtown, Gramercy Park, Union Square, Wall Street or Glen Cove.

If you are having heel pain that seems to continue to get worse every day; you may be suffering from a common foot condition called Plantar Fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the tendon that runs along the bottom of our foot. Patients that come into our office at Midtown Podiatry usually complain that the pain begins with slight heel discomfort and then becomes very painful as days go by.

Plantar fasciitis is usually associated with foot deformities such as high arches and flat feet. External factors such as walking (which can easily affect New Yorkers that spend their days walking around), running and exercising with non-supportive or worn out shoes, and slight sudden weight gain can cause sudden inflammation of the plantar fascia. Eli Manning, the quarterback of the New York Giants, has been diagnosed with this painful condition back in 2009 in his right foot due to his intense exercise regimen.

This condition can be easily corrected with proper treatment.  Initial treatment for plantar fasciitis consists of cortisone injections, padding and strapping, stretching and strengthening exercise, ice therapy, taking anti-inflammatory medication, proper orthosis (insert), shoe gear and physical therapy. For very painful and long-standing plantar fasciitis we do Radio Frequency Treatment.

If you are experiencing discomfort due to a heel pain, it is time you called Midtown Podiatry in New York City. You can meet with our physicians in one of our offices in Midtown, Gramercy Park, Union Square, Wall Street or Glen Cove.

By: Ameneh Aminian, DPM