Archive for the ‘heel pain’ Category

The Seattle Heel Pain Center is the go-to destination for patients suffering from severe heel pain, intense heel pain, or chronic heel pain. The diagnosis and treatment of heel pain is the specialty of our doctors, Dr. Douglas S. Hale and Dr. Lawrence Z. Huppin, both of whom possess more than two decades of experience in the conservative treatment of heel pain.

There can be a number of causes of severe heel pain, though the most common by far is plantar fasciitis, which can cause a variety of conditions which may lead to intense heel pain. This pain is caused by damage to the plantar fascia, the tissue that connects into the heel. Inflammation here can cause severe heel pain. However, conservative, non-invasive treatment of this condition, treatment without surgery, will in most cases relive even intense heel pain.  Other causes of severe heel pain can be found here.

When you are suffering from severe heel pain Seattle doctors recommend the Seattle Heel Pain Center for diagnosis and treatment. Check out our page on plantar fasciitis for more information.

Less common, but still serious conditions which can lead to severe heel pain may include…

• Fracture of the heel bone (calcaneus fracture)
• Infection
• Foreign body
• Bone cyst
• Subtalar joint arthritis

While these conditions are a much less common cause of intense heel pain, because of their severity, proper diagnosis and treatment should be made as quickly as possible.

Even of you’ve been told you need surgery to relieve your intense heel pain – remember, there are alternatives to surgery. We have even developed a 10-Step Home Treatment Plan for Heel and Arch Pain to help you avoid intrusive surgery.

If you are suffering from severe heel pain, and would like to get a second opinion on treatment, don’t wait any longer; call for an appointment today at the Seattle Heel Pain Center.

Click here for information on Extracorporeal Shockwave Treatment for Heel Pain

Click here for information on Dry Needling Treatment for Heel Pain

We had a potential patient ask us some very good questions regarding the dry needling procedure that we use for chonic heel pain at the Seattle Heel Pain Center. He would be driving up from Portland to have the procedure done and wanted to see if he was a good candidate before making the trip.  Here are his questions and our answers:

Q:  I know the original study/experiment in Italy had success in 42 of 44 patients treated, what is the success rate that you have noted for your patients?

A:  I haven’t kept stats, but so far I’ve been very happy with the outcomes.   I don’t think I’ve had a patient who wasn’t happy they had it done, although not everyone has had 100% success.   Let’s say about 80 – 90% success.

Q: I have read that one of the benefits to this treatment is that a return to normal activities is fairly quick.  How long is the recovery period?

A:  Keep in mind the that purpose of dry needling is to take a chronic problem and put it into an acute healing period.  I put patients in a walking boot for 2 weeks after we do the procedure and then back into normal shoes.  You can exercise, but I recommend against running for 3 months and jumping sports such as basketball for 6 months.

Q: I know everything is contingent on a physical examination, but would dry-needling an acceptable option for me despite not having a “super severe” case of PF even though it has been with me over one year in duration?

A:  Whether you are a good candidate depends primarily on how thick your plantar fascia is.  We will measure it using ultrasound.  If it is not excessively thick, then you would not be a good candidate.

Q: What is the cost of the procedure?

A: We bill only for an exam, ultrasound guided injection and steroid injection.  I can look tomorrow for exact cost, but I think it comes out to around $400.

Q: In some cases I have heard of doctors injecting plasma/platelets, ala PRP injections instead of a steroid.  Would there be any difference or benefit to either one?

A:  We have looked at PRP but have seen no studies that make us think it is an effective treatment.

Q:  In the interest of gas/time, would I be able to schedule the initial physical exam and the dryneedling treatment in the same appointment?

A:  That is not a problem, as long as we think you are a good candidate for the procedure.

If you have heel pain, contact us today for an appointment at the Seattle Heel Pain Center.

If you suffer from heel pain and live in Tacoma, WA, it would definitely be worth the trip to the Seattle Heel Pain Center to find the relief you seek.

Our doctors, Dr. Douglas S. Hale and Dr. Lawrence Z. Huppin are skilled foot and ankle physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of heel pain. They have advanced training, respected credentials, and meaningful experience in the treatment of heel pain – without resorting to surgery, in most cases.

Even if you’ve seen another podiatrist in Tacoma for treatment of your heel pain, it would most likely benefit you to get a second opinion. Drs. Hale and Huppin have more than 20 years’ experience each, are well known for their conservative yet effective treatment of your feet, and have earned the trust of hundreds of referring physicians.

At the Seattle Heel Pain Center, some of the conditions we specialize in are…

• heel pain
• plantar fasciitis
• heel spurs
• foot orthotics

We are well known both nationally and locally, for our ability to help patients with even the most persistent, most chronic instances of help pain. Our goal, in all cases, is to treat your heel pain as conservatively as possible. At the Seattle Heel Pain Center we believe that surgery for heel pain should be the last resort.

From the use of over the counter orthotics (OTC), to custom made and personally fitted orthotics, to more advanced treatments for heel pain, we can help.

If you’ve been told you need surgery for heel pain by a Tacoma podiatrist, make the trip to see us for a second opinion. You may not need surgery after all.

When you call to make an appointment, please tell our receptionist you are coming from Tacoma and she will help you find an appointment time that avoids rush hour.

Many studies have shown that the most effective arch supports for heel pain are custom made, total contact orthotics. Over the counter (OTC) orthotics, while offering improved support and relief of heel pain, do not work as well as custom orthotics. However, some OTC arch supports are better at relieving heel pain than others, and our favorite brand is the PowerStep Medical Grade Arch Support.

For proper diagnosis and treatment of your heel pain, and to see if you can benefit most from custom orthotics or over the counter orthotics, you should make an appointment to visit us at the Seattle Heel Pain Center as soon as possible.

Over the counter orthotics may help your heel pain

When properly fitted, a quality arch support will provide support to the plantar fascia, the large ligament running from the toes to the heel of your foot, relieving your heel pain. The goal is to find an arch support which will conform to the shape of your foot and hug the arch closely enough to provide support and relief of your pain.

The OTC arch support of first choice at the Seattle Heel Pain Center, especially for plantar fasciitis and relief from heel pain, is the PowerStep Medical Grade Arch Support. It is constructed with a relatively high and firm arch, which does the best job of any prefabricated orthotic at providing support to the plantar fascia.

Custom orthotics provide total contact support for heel pain relief

A total contact orthotic is made from a cast or laser scan of your foot, ensuring a perfect fit and unequaled support. The custom arch support will provide the tightest fit possible to the arch of your foot, relieving strain on the plantar fascia, thereby reducing heel pain. Your podiatrist will then write you a prescription for your custom orthotic arch support, which will be made to order by an orthotic lab.

For more information on using orthotics for heel pain, visit our Best Orthotics for Ball of Foot Pain Page. To order your OTC orthotics, visit our online orthotics store.

When your heel hurts Seattle Heel Pain Center is the choice for diagnosis of the cause, and for treatment to facilitate long-term relief. We have earned the trust of countless referring physicians and satisfied patients. Our doctors, Dr. Douglas S. Hale and Dr. Lawrence Z. Huppin are talented and experienced physicians with advanced training and expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of heel pain.

If your heel hurts, whether one of them or both, you should make an appointment today to be seen by one of our doctors, who will help you find the relief you seek.

When your heel hurts, the most common cause of your pain is a condition known as plantar fasciitis, the over-stretching of the plantar fascia, usually due to a lack of proper arch support.

We have also developed a 10-Step Home Treatment Plan for Heel and Arch Pain which may help you find relief when your heel hurts. Follow the treatment plan rigorously for the next three weeks and, if your heel pain does not improve, you should make an appointment to see us as soon as possible afterward.

If you happen to live outside the Seattle area, please contact a podiatrist who specializes in heel pain in your area. We have put together a list of recommended podiatrists outside the Washington area to help you, should you need them.

Living with heel pain can make you miserable. The good news is, there is no need to continue to do so. At the Seattle Heel Pain Center, our specialty is helping those whose heel hurts. We are expert in the diagnosis of the cause of your heel pain, and we excel at the long-term treatment of heel pain.

From the use of over the counter orthotics to custom orthotics; from conservative, non-invasive treatments to surgery for chronic heel pain when necessary, Doctors Douglas S. Hale and Lawrence Z. Huppin have the experience and knowledge to help you when your heel hurts.

Make an appointment today.

Beyond the condition known as plantar fasciitis, which is the most common cause of heel pain, there may be a number of possible heel pain causes which are affecting you on a daily basis. At the Seattle Heel Pain Center, a division of the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington, we specialize in the diagnosis of heel pain causes in Seattle, and in providing proper treatment for long-term relief.

Some of the most common heel pain causes may be:

Pain on the bottom of the Heel

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Heel Spurs
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Nerve Entrapments
• Stress Fracture
• Plantar Fascia Rupture

Pain on the Back of the Heel

• Achilles tendonitis
• Haglund’s Deforming
• Other back of heel pain causes

Generalized Heel Pain

• Subtalar Joint Arthritis
• Bone Cysts
• Heel Bone Fracture
• Obesity and Heel Pain

With such a variety of possible heel pain causes, it is essential that you receive the proper diagnosis before effective treatment can begin. Our doctors, Dr. Douglas S. Hale and Dr. Lawrence Z. Huppin, regularly review the latest medical literature on heel pain causes, as well as applying the knowledge and experience gained over 20 years of practice. They are skilled foot and ankle physicians with advanced training, respected credentials, and meaningful experience.

At the Seattle Heel Pain Center we also specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of heel pain causes in children.

It is highly unlikely that surgery will be required to relieve your heel pain. In fact, the goal for every patient who visits our Seattle Heel Pain Center is to use the most conservative, non-invasive treatment available to diagnose your heel pain causes and provide effective treatment with long-term relief.
There is absolutely no reason to continue living with heel pain. We can diagnose your heel pain causes, provide the best treatments to provide rapid relief, and teach you how to prevent your heel pain from returning. Contact us today for an appointment at the Seattle Heel Pain Center.

Drs. Hale and Huppin have more than 20 years experience each. They are well known in Seattle, and across the nation, for their conservative yet effective treatment of your feet, and they have earned the trust of hundreds of referring physicians.

Sever’s disease (also known as calcaneal apophysitis) is another name for heel pain in children. It occurs when there is a disturbance to the growth plate at the back of the heel bone where the Achilles tendon attaches to it. This contributes to inflammation in the heel area. Heel pain can make it difficult to participate in sports. It can also make it painful to walk, run, and jump, limiting basic activities.

If your child is experiencing heel pain, it can usually be quickly relieved. A correct diagnosis and treatment plan can help get kids back to normal as soon as possible. At the Seattle Heel Pain Center , treating heel pain is one of our specialties. We can determine the reasons for your child’s heel pain. We also institute a treatment plan for pain relief and prevention.

Some of the risk factors for Sever’s disease include:

• Your child plays sports. While the exact cause for Sever’s disease is not entirely clear, repeated minor trauma from sports (or activities on hard surfaces) can stress the cartilage in the foot.
• Your child has tight calf muscles. When there is too much pull from the calf muscles to the Achilles tendon, it can strain the developing growth plate.
• Your child is between the ages of 10-14. This is the most common time for heel pain due to growth spurts.
• Your child is overweight. Children who are heavier are more at risk because of the extra pressure on the feet.
• Your child has a pronated foot that rolls inward at the ankle. Excess pronation has been shown to make Sever’s disease more likely because of the uneven weight on the heel bone.

Make an appointment at the Seattle Foot and Ankle clinic

At the Seattle Heel Pain Center one of our specialties is helping children who have heel pain. Dr. Huppin and Dr. Hale are Seattle podiatrists who will evaluate your child and find the right treatment plan. At our heel pain center we provide leading-edge care to relieve the pain and prevent heel and arch pain from returning.

Children ages 10-14 are most susceptible to what is known as Sever’s disease or calcaneal apophysitis. This is an inflammation of the growth plate on the back of the heel bone. Pain is usually felt at the back and side of the heel and is usually relieved when your child is not active. Things like running, jumping, and sports can be especially painful. While this problem does go away overtime, it can be self-limiting and in some severe cases cause limping.

If your child is experiencing symptoms of heel pain, make an appointment to visit with a podiatrist for a checkup. At the Seattle Heel Pain Center, we love helping kids. Both of our podiatrists work with children to provide a correct diagnosis and treat the pain and swelling. Having an evaluation is an important step because there are a few other rare problems that can cause heel pain.  It can also help to prevent minor heel pain from becoming more significant.

Make an appointment for your child to see Dr. Huppin or Dr. Hale.

Wearing the right shoes along with arch supports can help prevent heel and arch pain. There are a few different types of arch supports, such as prefabricated (over-the-counter), or custom orthotics for heel pain. A good arch support transfers pressure off the heel, keeps the entire lower body in alignment and can help prevent injury to the feet, knees, and ankles.

For heel pain sufferers, it is critical to use very stable arch supports in your shoes. This helps distribute the weight evening over the entire foot. Here are some other important things to know about arch supports:

All arch supports are not created equal. The best fitting kind are prescription custom orthotics, which are medical devices that are prescribed by a foot specialist for an exact fit to the arch. These are made from non-weight bearing molds of your feet, and should be properly casted. At our Seattle podiatrist clinic, comfort is 100% guaranteed for custom orthotics.

If you need arch supports and do not want to visit a podiatrist or if you live outside the Seattle area, the best prefabricated arch support for heel pain is the Powerstep Medical Grade Orthotic. This orthotic works well for heel and arch pain is because it has somewhat higher arches and is firmer than other OTC arch supports.

The Powerstep Medical Grade Orthotic is available for purchase here. It comes in both women’s and men’s shoe sizes.

Heel pain can be effectively and quickly resolved when treated correctly. The podiatrists at the Foot and Ankle Center of Washington successfully treat more heel pain patients than any other foot condition. We follow an evidence-based program using recent medical literature with a focus on conservative, non-surgical methods. This has earned us the reputation as the regional referral center for heel pain patients in the greater Seattle area.

Podiatrists Dr. Huppin and Dr. Hale have a special interest in heel pain, including working with patients who have had previous treatment failures from other practitioners or heel pain that is extreme or long lasting. For over 20 years, an entire division of our practice, the Seattle Heel Pain Center, has been devoted to helping patients resolve heel pain.

This common foot problem, known as plantar fasciitis is highly treatable, but it is necessary to follow a strict set of protocol. This includes: 1) rapidly reducing the pain and 2) preventing the condition from returning. We provide a detailed examination of the entire foot, including gait analysis, shoe evaluation, and exercise methods to determine the cause of the pain. This is followed by a personalized treatment plan to correct the problem and prevent it from returning.

Our doctors use advanced, non-invasive therapies to help patients avoid surgery. Treatments for Seattle heel pain patients might involve anti-inflammatory medicine, prefabricated arch supports, custom orthotics, physical therapy, dry needling, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or a combination of therapies. The sooner treatment is started, the better. Most patients can return to normal activity in 2-3 weeks.

Make an appointment at the Seattle Heel Pain Center.