Heel pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal complaints, typically localized beneath the heel. This pain is most commonly caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition affecting the tissue band connecting the heel bone to the toes. Because heel pain can stem from various sources, including biomechanical issues, systemic conditions, or structural injuries, understanding the distinct expertise of different medical specialists will guide patients to the most appropriate care for their specific condition.
Starting with Primary Care
A General Practitioner (GP) or Internal Medicine physician serves as the initial and most logical point of contact for new-onset heel pain. These primary care providers (PCPs) are skilled in performing a comprehensive assessment and taking a patient history. Their broad training allows them to rule out less common but more serious systemic causes of heel pain, such as certain forms of arthritis or infection.
PCPs typically manage the initial, conservative treatments for mechanical heel pain like plantar fasciitis. Treatment involves rest, activity modification, stretching exercises, and the use of over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce discomfort. If the symptoms are mild to moderate and respond well to these basic measures, the condition can often be resolved entirely within the primary care setting. When heel pain persists despite several weeks of conservative efforts, the PCP acts as a triage specialist, initiating a referral to a more specialized provider for advanced diagnostics or interventions.
Focusing on the Foot: Podiatrists
For mechanical heel pain, a Podiatrist, who holds a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), is often the most appropriate specialist to see first. Podiatrists are physicians and surgeons whose entire scope of practice is dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Their focused training provides a deep understanding of the intricate biomechanics of the foot, which is frequently the root cause of heel pain like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis.
Podiatrists excel at non-surgical management. They commonly prescribe custom-molded orthotics, which are devices designed to correct abnormal foot posture and distribute weight more efficiently to reduce strain on the plantar fascia. Advanced non-surgical treatments they may perform include corticosteroid injections to target localized inflammation and strapping or casting techniques to immobilize the foot and promote healing. Podiatrists can also perform minor surgical procedures related exclusively to the foot, such as a plantar fascia release, when conservative treatments have failed to provide relief.
Addressing Structural Issues: Orthopedists and Sports Medicine Doctors
Orthopedic surgeons focus on the entire musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. While a podiatrist specializes only in the foot and ankle, an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon has a broader background in managing complex structural issues and trauma. Patients are typically referred to an orthopedist when their heel pain is severe, involves a suspected fracture, nerve entrapment, or is non-responsive to the conservative care provided by a podiatrist.
The orthopedic surgeon is the appropriate specialist when the pain may require complex reconstruction or surgical intervention, such as for a calcaneal stress fracture or severe structural deformity. Sports Medicine Physicians, who often specialize in non-operative musculoskeletal care, are also excellent choices for heel pain, particularly in active individuals. These doctors are highly skilled in diagnostic techniques like ultrasound and focus on precise diagnosis and management of tendon and ligament issues, often collaborating closely with physical therapists on rehabilitation protocols.