Heel pain & plantar fasciitis · Portland
Heel pain? Get seen this week and leave with a plan.
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain — and one of the most treatable in an office visit. Dr. Zac Egidi, an experienced, board-certified foot & ankle surgeon at Pearl Foot & Ankle, currently has same-week openings in Portland. You’ll get a thorough exam, a plain-language explanation of what’s going on, and a clear game plan for next steps.
★★★★★ 4.9 from 450+ reviews across our Pearl locations Board-Certified (ABFAS) OATH Surgery Center partner
Understanding the condition
What plantar fasciitis (and heel pain) really is
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, from the heel to the toes. When it’s overloaded or irritated, it can become inflamed — and the result is that sharp, stabbing heel pain most people feel with their first steps in the morning. Plantar fasciitis is the leading cause of heel pain, but it isn’t the only one: heel spurs, Achilles tendon issues, nerve irritation, and stress fractures can all show up as “heel pain” too. That’s exactly why an in-person exam matters — getting the diagnosis right is what makes the treatment work. (For more background, see the AAOS patient guide to plantar fasciitis.)
Symptoms to watch for
Does this sound like your heel pain?
- Sharp, stabbing heel pain with your first steps in the morning or after sitting
- Pain that eases as you warm up, then returns after long periods on your feet
- Tenderness along the bottom of the heel or arch
- Discomfort that flares after exercise, not usually during it
- Heel pain that’s lingered more than a couple of weeks despite rest and stretching
If any of these sound familiar — especially as summer sandals replace supportive shoes — it’s worth having a foot & ankle specialist take a look before it becomes a chronic problem.
Conservative care comes first
Conservative-first treatment options
The great news about heel pain is that most cases respond to conservative, non-surgical care. Dr. Egidi starts with the least-invasive options that fit your foot, your activity level, and your goals:
- Targeted stretching and home program for the plantar fascia and calf
- Supportive footwear guidance and activity modification
- Custom orthotics to offload the fascia and support the arch
- Night splints to hold the tissue in a lengthened position
- Anti-inflammatory measures and, when appropriate, in-office injections
- Physical therapy referral when strengthening and gait work will help
The goal of your first visit is a clear, personalized plan — not a one-size-fits-all handout.
If more is needed
When advanced care or surgery is considered
The large majority of heel-pain and plantar-fasciitis patients never need surgery. When pain persists despite a well-followed conservative program — typically over several months — Dr. Egidi will walk you through advanced options, which may include additional imaging or, in select cases, a surgical procedure to address the underlying source. As a full-scope foot & ankle surgeon, he can manage your care from the first conservative visit all the way through surgery if it’s ever needed, with any procedure performed at our partner facility, OATH Surgery Center. You’ll always understand the “why” behind each recommendation before any decision is made.
Active lifestyle? Heel and arch pain often overlaps with sports and overuse injuries — Dr. Egidi treats both.
Your surgical team
An experienced surgical team — with openings this week
Dr. Zac Egidi is a board-certified (ABFAS) foot & ankle surgeon with 8+ years in practice and hundreds of surgeries across the full scope of medical, surgical, and sports foot & ankle care. He was recruited to Portland to expand new-patient access, with open, same-week availability for Beaverton, Cedar Mill, Bethany, and the greater Portland area. Heel pain that’s caught early is far easier to resolve than heel pain you’ve limped on for months — so the fact that Dr. Egidi has openings this week, while many practices are booked out, matters. Pearl Foot & Ankle is an independent, board-certified practice with a 4.9★ reputation from patients who describe visits as thorough, unrushed, and clearly explained.
Zac Egidi, DPM
Board-Certified (ABFAS) Foot & Ankle Surgeon
- 8+ years in practice — hundreds of foot & ankle surgeries
- Full-scope medical, surgical & sports foot & ankle care
- Same-week new-patient availability
- Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine; surgical residency (chief resident), LECOM Health
Timothy Mineo, DPM, FACFAS
Founder · Dual Board-Certified (ABFAS)
- 1,500+ surgeries, including total ankle replacement
- Dual board-certified in foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot & ankle surgery
- Founded Pearl Foot & Ankle and leads its surgical team
- Fellow, American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons
One practice, one team: every treatment plan — from a first office visit through surgery at our partner facility, OATH Surgery Center — is backed by both surgeons’ combined experience.
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
How soon can I be seen for heel pain?
Dr. Egidi currently has same-week openings. Call (503) 284-2000 or book online and we’ll get you scheduled.
Can plantar fasciitis be treated without surgery?
For most patients, yes — the majority of heel-pain cases respond to conservative care like stretching, orthotics, and footwear changes. Your plan is built around your specific foot and goals.
How long does heel pain take to improve?
It varies by person and by how long the pain has been present. Getting evaluated early generally makes recovery more straightforward, which is one reason same-week access helps.
Do you take my insurance?
Yes — Pearl Foot & Ankle is in-network with 200+ insurance plans, including Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Providence, Moda Health, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna, PacificSource, and Medicare & Medicare Advantage — and every Pearl provider, including Dr. Egidi, is credentialed with these plans. Verify your plan instantly on Zocdoc, or call (503) 284-2000 and we’ll confirm your benefits before your visit.
Where are you located?
12672 NW Barnes Rd #100, Portland, OR 97229 — convenient to Beaverton, Cedar Mill, and Bethany.
When should I see a doctor for heel pain?
If heel pain has lasted more than a week or two despite rest, ice, and supportive shoes — or if it’s sharp, worsening, or interfering with walking — it’s time to have it evaluated. Numbness, swelling, redness, or pain after an injury are reasons to be seen promptly. Pearl Foot & Ankle can often see new heel-pain patients the same week: call (503) 284-2000.
Why won’t my plantar fasciitis go away?
Heel pain that lingers for months is usually being re-aggravated — by unsupportive footwear, tight calves, training load, or foot mechanics — or it may not be plantar fasciitis at all. Conditions like nerve entrapment or a stress fracture can mimic it, which is why persistent heel pain deserves an in-person exam rather than more guessing. Dr. Zac Egidi evaluates stubborn heel pain with a full range of conservative options before surgery is ever discussed. Appointments are often available same-week at (503) 284-2000.
Is heel pain ever a sign of something serious?
Most heel pain comes from common, treatable conditions like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis — serious causes are rare. That said, pain with fever, numbness, significant swelling, or pain that doesn’t behave like typical heel pain warrants an exam to rule out other causes. The fastest way to stop worrying is to get it looked at; call (503) 284-2000.
Can I keep running with heel pain?
It depends on the severity: mild stiffness that eases as you warm up is different from sharp pain that worsens as you run, which is a signal to stop and get evaluated before it becomes a longer layoff. Many runners can stay active with modified training while treating the underlying cause. Dr. Egidi works with active patients to keep them moving whenever it’s appropriate. Call (503) 284-2000.
Do I need custom orthotics, or will store-bought inserts work?
It depends on your foot structure and what’s driving the pain — many patients do well starting with quality over-the-counter inserts, while others benefit from custom orthotics matched to their mechanics. An exam can tell you which category you’re in before you spend money guessing. Pearl Foot & Ankle can assess this at a single visit: (503) 284-2000.
Same-week booking
See Dr. Egidi about your heel pain this week.
Book your visit online in real time through Zocdoc — pick the appointment slot that works for you, no phone tag. Prefer to talk to someone? Call us and we’re happy to help.
- New patients welcome
- Most insurance accepted
- Same-week appointments often available
- Beaverton · Cedar Mill · Bethany · Portland
Book a Same-Week Visit
See real-time openings and reserve your visit securely through Zocdoc, the practice’s online scheduler.
📅 Book Online with ZocdocPrefer to talk to someone?
📞 Call (503) 284-2000
Pearl Foot & Ankle · 12672 NW Barnes Rd #100, Portland, OR 97229 · (503) 284-2000
Mon–Fri 8–5 · Not an emergency service — for a medical emergency, call 911.
The information on this page is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice; it does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. Appointment availability varies and is not guaranteed. Individual results vary. For a medical emergency, call 911.