Heel Pain

Heel pain is among the most common foot problems, affecting up to 58% of Americans at some point. At Global Podiatry in Arlington Heights, Chicago and Wheeling, Illinois, experienced podiatrists Simon Donets, DPM, Yelena Barsky, DPM, and their team offer minimally invasive, integrative treatment for heel pain. After pinpointing the source of your pain, they develop a personalized treatment plan to get you back on your feet. Call the nearest Global Podiatry office today for heel pain treatment, or book your appointment online.

Is heel pain something to worry about?

Heel pain affects almost everyone at some point, but finding the underlying cause is necessary if your symptoms continue for more than a few days or get worse after at-home treatments. Common causes of heel pain, like plantar fasciitis, rarely get better on their own. Professional care reduces the risk of complications.

What causes heel pain?

The Global Podiatry team treats various causes of heel pain, including:

• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Bursitis
• Bone spurs
• Haglund’s deformity (a bony growth at the base of the heel)
• Plantar fasciitis
• Plantar warts
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome (compression of the posterior tibial nerve)
• Sever’s disease (the leading cause of heel pain in kids and teens)

Sometimes heel pain appears due to general wear-and-tear or structural abnormalities, like flatfoot and high arches.

How is heel pain diagnosed?

Your Global Podiatry provider asks about your symptoms, including where the pain is, what it feels like, and if it extends into other areas like your calf or forefoot. They complete a podiatry exam, checking your heel’s back, sides, and bottom for bruising, redness, and swelling.

Your provider gently presses on your heel to identify sensitive spots and has you walk around to assess your gait (how you walk) and posture. They refer you to Northwest Orthopedic Surgery, SC, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, for diagnostic imaging if they suspect an underlying health problem like arthritis or a stress fracture.

How is heel pain treated?

The Global Podiatry team takes a conservative, integrative approach to treating heel pain. They might suggest:

• Corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and swelling
• Custom orthotics (prescription shoe inserts) to take pressure off your heel
• Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication
• Physical therapy
• Stretching exercises
• Taping
• Shockwave therapy

Most heel pain improves with a combination of treatments. But if your symptoms worsen, your provider might recommend foot and ankle surgery.

Is there any way to prevent heel pain?

There’s no way to entirely prevent heel pain, but reducing your risk is possible by keeping your foot tendons flexible. The Global Podiatry team recommends stretching your feet before and after exercise and wearing comfortable shoes that fit correctly.

Call the nearest Global Podiatry office today to schedule heel pain treatment, or book your appointment online.