Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
Heel pain near Auburn Hills is plantar fasciitis in 80% of cases — but Baxter’s nerve entrapment, heel fat pad atrophy, and stress fractures each look identical and require completely different treatment. A cortisone injection into the wrong diagnosis can cause permanent fat pad damage. Call (810) 206-1402 — heel pain diagnosis in Auburn Hills.
Heel Pain Treatment close to Auburn Hills
Auburn Hills residents with persistent heel pain have a close specialist at Balance Foot & Ankle in Bloomfield Township — just 10 minutes south on Opdyke to Woodward Ave. Heel pain is the #1 reason people visit podiatrists in the US, and plantar fasciitis is the most common cause. That first-step stabbing pain under the heel — worst getting out of bed or after sitting — is one of the most recognized symptoms in podiatric medicine, and it responds well to the right protocol.
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In our Bloomfield Township clinic, we don’t just assume plantar fasciitis — we examine the whole heel to confirm the diagnosis. Baxter’s neuropathy (entrapment of the inferior calcaneal nerve) produces heel pain that is often misdiagnosed as PF for years. Fat pad atrophy causes deep, diffuse heel pain, usually in older patients or heavy runners. A calcaneal stress fracture — rare but important to exclude — requires imaging and immediate offloading. We identify which one you have and prescribe accordingly. See our complete plantar fasciitis guide.
Key takeaway: For Auburn Hills patients: consistent execution of the stretching and orthotic protocol is what determines outcome speed. Patients who do the stretches 3× daily and wear their orthotics consistently typically see major improvement within 4–6 weeks. Patients who do them occasionally see slow or no progress.
What to expect at your appointment
Your evaluation includes clinical exam (palpation, windlass test, calf flexibility assessment, Silfverskiöld), gait analysis, and in-office X-rays. We assess for calcaneal spur (incidental in most cases — we treat the fascia), fat pad thickness, and arch mechanics.
Treatment: stretching protocol, custom orthotics, heel cushioning, and night splints when morning pain is severe. Cortisone injection when appropriate; PRP for chronic cases. Auburn Hills patients: same-day appointments. Call (810) 206-1402.
⚠️ When to see a podiatrist promptly:
- Constant pain not limited to first steps or activity
- Bruising around the heel bone
- Numbness or tingling in the heel
- No improvement after 6 weeks of proper treatment
Why Balance Foot & Ankle for Auburn Hills patients
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM provides heel pain care at our Bloomfield Township office — 10 minutes from Auburn Hills. In-house X-rays, custom orthotics, and injections all available at your first visit.
We accept most major insurance. 4.9★ | 1,100+ reviews.
Insurance & scheduling for Auburn Hills patients
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Priority Health, and Medicare. From Auburn Hills: Opdyke Rd south to Woodward Ave south — 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Township MI 48302.
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Same-day appointments available in Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI
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Or call: (810) 206-1402
📋 Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS answers:
The best treatment for heel pain near Auburn Hills depends on the underlying cause. Our podiatrist serving Auburn Hills accurately diagnoses heel pain — distinguishing plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, Achilles tendonitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, stress fractures, and fat pad atrophy — because each requires a different treatment approach. For plantar fasciitis, which accounts for the majority of heel pain cases, a combination of calf and plantar fascia stretching, custom orthotics, and night splints resolves symptoms in most patients within six to twelve weeks. Corticosteroid injections, PRP therapy, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) are available for persistent cases. Achilles tendonitis is managed with eccentric exercises and heel lifts. Heel spurs alone rarely cause pain and do not require removal. Patients near Auburn Hills who have had heel pain for more than a few weeks without improvement should seek evaluation — chronic plantar fasciitis is harder to treat than acute cases, but even longstanding cases respond well to the right treatment protocol.
What are the most common causes of heel pain in Auburn Hills?
Plantar fasciitis — inflammation of the plantar fascia at its calcaneal insertion — accounts for approximately 80% of heel pain cases. Other common causes include Achilles insertional tendinopathy, heel spurs, retrocalcaneal bursitis, Baxter’s nerve entrapment, and stress fractures of the calcaneus. Our podiatrists in Auburn Hills perform a thorough clinical evaluation to identify the precise cause, as each condition responds to different treatments.
How is heel pain treated without surgery?
Most heel pain resolves with conservative care: custom orthotics with adequate arch support and heel cushioning, targeted calf and plantar fascia stretching performed first thing in the morning, supportive footwear throughout the day (no barefoot walking on hard floors), and NSAIDs for acute inflammation. Night splints maintain dorsiflexion while sleeping to reduce morning pain. Over 90% of patients achieve relief within 6–12 weeks of consistent conservative treatment.
When should I see a podiatrist for heel pain?
See a podiatrist if heel pain persists more than 2 weeks, is severe enough to cause limping, or does not improve with basic home care such as rest and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. Prompt evaluation is especially important for bilateral heel pain (which may indicate systemic arthritis), heel pain after trauma (fracture must be ruled out), or pain that worsens rather than improves with activity. Early treatment prevents chronicity.
Seen at our Bloomfield Township office on Woodward Ave — convenient for Oakland County patients.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.
More questions patients ask
Why is heel pain worst in the morning?
Morning heel pain is a hallmark of plantar fasciitis. During sleep, the plantar fascia contracts in a shortened position. The first steps stretch it abruptly, causing micro-tears at the attachment point and sharp pain. Pain typically improves after 10–20 minutes of walking as the fascia warms up and lengthens. Night splints that hold the foot in dorsiflexion during sleep prevent this contraction and dramatically reduce first-step pain.
How long does plantar fasciitis take to go away?
With consistent treatment (stretching, orthotics, physical therapy), 90% of plantar fasciitis cases resolve within 12 months. Most patients see significant improvement within 6–8 weeks of starting a proper stretching and orthotic program. Cases that don't improve with conservative care after 3–6 months are candidates for EPAT shockwave therapy (70–80% success rate) or PRP injections before considering surgical release.
Still have a question about coverage or cost? Book online and we will check your benefits before your visit: Book in Howell · Book in Bloomfield Township. Prefer to talk it through first? Call (810) 206-1402.