Dr. Sandra R. Gotman

11760 SW 40th Street, Suite 616

Miami, FL 33175

Monday-Friday

Hours Vary
305.229.9595
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Dr. Gotman
  • Advanced Therapies
    • AmnioFix Regenerative Therapy
    • Stem Cell Regenerative Therapy
    • Laser Therapy for Toenail Fungus
    • Shockwave Therapy for Foot Pain
  • Foot Conditions
    • Adult Foot Care
    • Children Foot Conditions
    • Foot and Ankle Sports Injuries
    • Foot Care for Seniors
  • Patient Center
    • Weight Loss Service
    • Blog
  • Contact Us

Heel Pain: Proper diagnosis is key to relief

By Sandra Gotman, DPM • May 9, 2019 • No Comments

Hell pain — proper diagnosis is key to relief. Find out more from Miami Podiatirst, Dr. Sandra Gotman, DPM

Heel pain can be extremely debilitating but, for most of my patients, I can help them successfully resolve it with proper diagnosis and conservative measures. To do so, nothing is more important than making sure I get a proper history and perform a complete and thorough patient examination to diagnose heel pain, actually all foot pain, for that matter.

Although plantar fascilitis is the most common reason patients may come to me with heel pain, there are a variety of other possible causes, including but not limited to:

  • A plantar fascia or flexor tear
  • tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Baxter’s nerve entrapment
  • calcaneal stress fracture or cyst
  • arthritis
  • gout

It is very important that we consider the full range of possible causes before reaching a diagnosis. Where Google may be helpful for patients in providing some basic information or even confirmation of why their heel hurts, it is not a substitute for my extensive training and years of diagnostic work. So, when dealing with heel pain, it’s important to consider every possibility. And, the only way to get at that is with a thorough history and diagnostic testing.

Getting a thorough history

The diagnostic history needs to include…

  • Is it a recent injury?
  • Is that heel pain emanating from a secondary or structural problem in the foot?
  • How often does the pain occur?
  • How long does the pain last?
  • What makes the problem worse?
  • What gives the patient relief from the pain?
  • Have they tried other treatments and, if so, how successful have they been?
  • Is there a family history of heel pain?
  • Is there a systemic arthritic condition?

Based on the answers to these questions, it often triggers more extensive questions I ask patients about their heel pain to help identify the source of the problem and determine the appropriate tests to run.

Conducting diagnostic testing

The next step is to run the relevant diagnostic tests. This may involve some—but not necessarily all—of the following:

  • Physical exam
  • standard foot/ankle radiographs (X-rays)
  • diagnostic ultrasound
  • magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • computed tomography (CT)
  • nerve conduction velocity testing (NCV)
  • three-phase bone scan
  • electromyelogram testing (EMG)
  • neurosensory testing

What’s next

With a thorough workup and proper diagnostic testing, I am able to systematically analyze heel pain and diagnose it. The next step is to provide each patient with an appropriate treatment plan customized to the specific diagnosis.

Have heel pain and need relief?

We are here for all your foot care needs. You may come and see me by scheduling an appointment at 305-229-9595.

Categories:foot pain
Tags:heel pain

Sandra Gotman, DPM

Call us now

305.229.9595

Dr. Sandra Gotman

  • Double Board Certified foot and ankle surgeon
  • Practicing in Miami for more than 30 years
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

We work to make every aspect of your visit the most satisfying experience you’ve had. We treat patients of all ages, and our friendly staff strives to ensure a pleasant office visit.

Miami Podiatrist Dr. Sandra Gotman provides each patient with the information you need to make good choices about your foot and ankle care. We don't simply want to tell you about your diagnoses; we also want to work with you to determine the best plan for treatment of your foot and ankle discomfort.

We approach foot and ankle care with a humble, yet educated and experienced approach.

We Care!

We work to make every aspect of your visit the most satisfying experience you’ve had. We treat patients of all ages, and our friendly staff strives to ensure a pleasant office visit.

Miami Podiatrist Dr. Sandra Gotman provides each patient with the information you need to make good choices about your foot and ankle care. We don’t simply want to tell you about your diagnoses; we also want to work with you to determine the best plan for treatment of your foot and ankle discomfort.

We approach foot and ankle care with a humble, yet educated and experienced approach.

 

HIPAA and Privacy Policy

 

Our Office Hours

Monday: 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Tuesday: 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Wednesday: 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Thursday: 1:30PM – 6:00PM
Friday: 9:00AM – 5:00PM

Contact Us

  • Email
    miamifootandankleinstitute@gmail.com
  • Phone
    305.229.9595
  • Address
    11760 SW 40th Street
    Suite 448
    Miami, FL 33175
Copyright © 2020 Dr. Sandra Gotman DPM. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Dr. Gotman
  • Advanced Therapies
    • AmnioFix Regenerative Therapy
    • Stem Cell Regenerative Therapy
    • Laser Therapy for Toenail Fungus
    • Shockwave Therapy for Foot Pain
  • Foot Conditions
    • Adult Foot Care
    • Children Foot Conditions
    • Foot and Ankle Sports Injuries
    • Foot Care for Seniors
  • Patient Center
    • Weight Loss Service
    • Blog
  • Contact Us