Sometimes, heel pain is temporary and will subside on its own, so it's normal to try to hold off on seeing a podiatrist for as long as possible. But, in some cases, you need to see a specialist, such as Dr. Tony Avakian of Valencia Foot and Ankle Center, serving Valencia, CA, and the nearby region.

1. You're Having Trouble Walking Normally

While you may have a day or two after an acute injury when you can't walk normally, this shouldn't last. As you're struggling to walk, you're putting more pressure on other areas of your foot than normal, and it can have a cascading effect, meaning it'll affect other parts of the musculoskeletal system. 

As a result, we recommend visiting our Valencia office if you can't put pressure on your foot evenly so we can initiate the appropriate treatment to start the healing process, which may consist of a boot to ease stress on your heel. 

2. Your Heel Pain Is Lasting More Than a Few Days

For one, pushing through an injury can prolong the healing time. Moreover, it also has the potential to cause long-term/permanent damage.

Thus, we advise our patients to visit our Valencia, CA, office if they have pain that's not subsiding or worsening. 

3. You Have Signs of an Infection

Signs of an infection are a reason to get to the podiatrist and include:

• Fever 
• Pain 
• Redness 
• Swelling
• Warmth to touch

If it's an open wound, you may have abnormally colored drainage. 

Fortunately, at our office, our podiatrist can prescribe the necessary medication to alleviate the infection.

4. You Have Heel Pain When Your Foot Is at Rest

If you notice heel pain whenever you haven't been placing pressure on your foot all day, you should seek the assistance of a specialist. 

That pain could be from a fracture, bursitis, tendinitis, arthritis, or a heel spur, to name a few. The pain may not go away if it's chronic unless you learn to manage it, or you could risk worsening the situation if it's acute.

5. Your Pain Is Spreading or Worsening

As an injury heals, it tends to decrease in severity slowly, and the area's size will lessen gradually. When the opposite happens, it's a cause for concern and could mean an infection, fracture, plantar fasciitis, or tendinitis, to name a few reasons. 

We recommend you come to us for prompt treatment to lessen the pain and target the root cause.

Visit Dr. Avakian at Valencia Foot and Ankle Center, serving Valencia, CA, if you have any of the aforementioned issues and heel pain. Often, we can stop it from worsening or becoming chronic.

Call (661) 228-2321.