You step out of bed in the morning, put your foot on the floor—and there it is—a sharp, stabbing pain in your heel. After walking for a few minutes, it may ease up, only to return after sitting for a while or spending too much time on your feet.
That familiar pattern is often associated with plantar fasciitis, irritation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and helps support the arch. Pain is commonly felt near the heel and may become more noticeable after rest, prolonged standing, walking, or changes in activity.
Not every painful heel is plantar fasciitis. Heel pain can have several causes, and symptoms that seem similar may come from different structures in the foot. That’s why identifying exactly where the pain is coming from matters before deciding how to treat it.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound allows the plantar fascia and surrounding soft tissues to be evaluated in real time. It can help identify thickening, inflammation, or changes in the fascia and determine whether another condition may be contributing to the pain.
Michael Jablon begins with a focused history and a careful physical and positional examination, looking for the movements that reproduce your symptoms and the clues your body provides. This is referred to as the Jablon Protocol. Only then does he pick up the probe, using what he has learned to guide the ultrasound examination. It's an approach that has been refined over years of experience and now teaches to his students.
Heel pain can interfere with something as basic as taking your first steps of the day. A careful evaluation can help identify the source of the problem so that you and your healthcare provider have better information when considering the next step in your care.
If heel pain has been lingering or keeps returning, Orthopedic Ultrasound Inc. can provide a detailed musculoskeletal ultrasound evaluation to help identify the source of your symptoms and give your healthcare provider better information for the next step in your care.
