Heel Pain Treatment in Chicago & Wheeling IL
If you’re suffering from minor or severe heel pain, then you’re not alone. The heel is the largest bone in the foot, and there are many conditions and injuries that can affect it, making heel pain a very common problem.
Here at Global Podiatry, we can help you to put an end to your heel pain with advanced treatments that work quickly and effectively to treat heel pain. With safe treatment and advice from the experts, you can get back to enjoying a healthy and active lifestyle – you don’t need to suffer with heel pain alone, we’re here to help!
What Are the Causes of Heel Pain?
Understanding the cause of heel pain is one of the first steps to ensuring that treatment is as effective as possible.
Plantar fasciitis – an inflammation of the plantar fascia – is one of the most common causes of heel pain. There are also a large number of other causes of heel pain, that include:
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Bursitis
- Chronic Inflammation
- Fractures
- Gout
- Heel Bumps
- Osteochondrosis
- Osteomyelitis
- Reactive Arthritis
- Ruptured Achilles Tendon
- Severs Disease
- Sprains / Strains
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Along with pain, some conditions and injuries can cause additional symptoms such as swelling, redness, aching, and difficulties walking. Exercising too frequently, wearing unsuitable footwear, and repetitive stress are all common contributors to heel pain.
How is the Cause of Heel Pain Diagnosed?
One of the first steps in diagnosing the cause of heel pain is a physical exam. A podiatrist will examine the heel, along with your stance, to understand more about the pain you’re experiencing. As well as performing a physical exam, the podiatrist will review your medical history, ask you about the timeline of your symptoms, and enquire about your footwear and exercise routine.
When an individual is experiencing heel pain, blood tests and x-rays are commonly used to correctly diagnose the cause or confirm a diagnosis.
Does My Heel Pain Require Treatment?
Not all types of heel pain need extensive treatment from a podiatrist in Chicago, but while you may not require specialist treatment to relieve your heel pain, seeking treatment for the pain quickly can be very important.
Heel pain can affect your ability to walk and move as normal, so it may lead to other injuries. If you’re worried about heel pain, then it’s best to book an appointment with a podiatrist, who’ll be able to examine your heel and give you professional advice on how best to safely speed up your recovery.
If haven’t been to see a podiatrist and your symptoms don’t ease after one to two weeks, or if you’re experiencing redness, swelling, and severe pain, or are having difficulties walking, then it’s important to book an appointment as soon as possible.
Common Treatments for Heel Pain
The best heel pain treatment for you will depend on different factors, including the cause of the pain and the length of time that the symptoms have been present. Conservative treatments can be very effective in treating heel pain, giving patients complete relief within months of beginning treatment.
Treatment for heel pain can start at home, with remedies such as:
- Resting
- Raising your heel
- Gentle stretches
- Using an ice pack
- Using night splints
- Wearing heel Lifts
- Supportive footwear
Before trying certain home remedies, like heel lifts, it’s best to consult a podiatrist who will make sure that any remedies are safe and conducive to a fast and healthy recovery. Depending on the underlying condition causing your heel pain, additional treatment may be required. Common treatments for heel pain, include:
- Custom Fit Orthotics
- Physical Therapy
- Ultrasound Therapy
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Treatments
- (RST) – Radial Shockwave Therapy
- Surgery
For more information about treating heel pain treatments in Chicago, get in touch with Global Podiatry.
What is Radial Shockwave Treatment?
Radial Shock Wave Therapy is a fast, gentle, non-surgical method of reducing heel pain. Our method delivers pressure waves that travel through the skin. As these pressure waves come in contact with the inflamed tissue, they stimulate the body’s natural self-healing process. This treatment is safe and effective and has been evaluated by the FDA with randomized, controlled, double-blinded scientific studies.
Watch the videos below to see how the Radial Shock Wave Therapy works.
If I have heel pain, can I benefit from this treatment?
Radial shockwave therapy is especially beneficial for patients that have chronic heel pain and have not had much success with traditional therapies such as medications, arch supports, orthotics, steroid injections, or stretching. The podiatrist will determine if you are a candidate for Radial Shock Wave Therapy. It is not recommended for treatment of heel pain in children, pregnant women, or people currently taking medications that inhibit blood clotting.
What is involved in the heel pain treatment?
The procedure is performed in the office. After an evaluation of your medical history and a physical evaluation, the point or area of maximum pain will be located and marked. Ultrasonic gel is applied to the foot. The RSWT handpiece is then positioned to gently and extensively transmit pressure waves over the injured area. The feedback you provide helps to determine the fine tuning of the impulse energy. Once you are comfortable at a low level, the energy is gradually increased over several minutes.
Are there any side effects of RWST?
There are virtually no side effects with RSWT since no medication, surgery, injections, or anesthesia is involved. Some patients may experience a short period of slight tingling, warmth, or numbness immediately after the treatment.
How soon can I expect results?
Most patients will notice improvement after the first treatment; however, 70-80% of patients notice improved healing between 6 and 12 months after the last treatment.
What Are the Best Ways to Prevent Heel Pain?
After treatment, your podiatrist may advise you on effective techniques for preventing recurrences of heel pain. Small, simple changes to your lifestyle may be all that’s required to greatly reduce your chances of developing heel pain.
Some of the most effective ways to prevent heel pain, include:
- Stretching before exercise
- Eating a healthy diet
- Losing weight/maintaining a healthy weight
- Wearing the correct shoe size
- Wearing supportive shoes
- Resting when tired
Contact Global Podiatry for Advanced Heel Pain Treatments in Chicago
Global Podiatry provides revolutionary treatments for people who suffer from a wide variety of problems, from heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis to ankle injuries, hammer toe, and skin disorders.
If you’re suffering from heel pain, then our skilled podiatrists are here to diagnose the cause of the pain and provide you with relief using advanced heel pain treatments in Chicago. Don’t live with heel pain a moment longer, gain relief from the symptoms today by contacting the professional podiatrists at Global Podiatry.