Heel Pain Specialist
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The Foot Care Group
Board Certified Podiatrist located in Libertyville, Hinsdale & Chicago, IL
Don’t let heel pain stop you from doing the things you love and being active. At The Foot Care Group in Hinsdale, Libertyville, and the Streeterville community of Chicago, Illinois, Steven Sharlin, DPM, utilizes state-of-the-art technology and advanced treatment methods to guide you from diagnosis to relief. The Foot Care Group aims to resolve your heel pain and help you walk pain-free again. Book online or call your nearest office to get started.
Heel Pain Q & A
What causes heel pain?
Heel pain is a common symptom of a condition like plantar fasciitis. If you have heel pain, it’s typically an indication that something is wrong.
Other causes of heel pain include:
- Achilles tendinitis (pain more towards the back of the heel)
- Bone tumor
- Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
- Bursitis
- Haglund’s deformity
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Stress fractures
Another common cause of heel pain is heel spurs. A heel spur is a small calcium deposit that causes pieces of the bone in your heel to protrude. While a heel spur itself may not cause pain, it can inflame or irritate the surrounding plantar fascia ligament.
How does plantar fasciitis cause heel pain?
One of the most common conditions that result in heel pain is plantar fasciitis. It’s an inflammatory condition caused by the degenerative irritation of the plantar fascia ligament in your foot. The plantar fascia is a thick tissue band that acts as a shock absorber and connects your toes and your heel bone. The plantar fascia works with the surrounding ligaments and tendons to support the arch of your foot.
Obesity and excess body weight increase your risk of getting plantar fasciitis since excess pressure can cause an inflammatory response and heel stiffness and pain. The pain is most common when you take your first steps in the morning or following a period of rest. Most people don’t experience the pain during exercise.
When should I see a doctor about my heel pain?
If your heel pain is a concern that’s interfering with your daily life, it’s important you seek quality podiatric treatment to manage and relieve it.
It’s especially important you seek podiatric care if you have:
- Severe pain and swelling near your heel
- An inability to walk normally or bend your foot downward
- Heel pain with numbness and tingling and a fever
- Severe heel pain following an injury
- Heel pain that continues even when you’re not standing or walking
Some heel pain can resolve on its own, but others may require treatment and professional care. It’s important to call Dr. Sharlin at The Foot Care Group to relieve your pain and make sure you don’t further complicate your situation.
What are the treatments for heel pain?
The right treatment for your heel pain depends on the cause. Dr. Sharlin might recommend a number of treatments, including:
- Rest, ice and heat packs, and at-home care
- New shoes or custom orthotics and assistive walking devices
- Night splints and heel pads
- Stretches and specialized appropriate exercises
- Lifestyle modifications
- Anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications
Dr. Sharlin focuses on reducing inflammation and pain and lowering stress levels since elevated levels of stress hormones could be worsening your pain.
For more severe cases of plantar fasciitis, your podiatrist might recommend surgery. Typically, the surgery is a plantar fascia release where Dr. Sharlin removes a portion of your plantar fascia ligament from your heel bone.
If you’re dealing with heel pain, call The Foot Care Group or book an appointment online to find relief.
