Heel Pain Specialist

What causes heel pain?

When your heels hurt, it's hard to do even the simplest of daily activities. There are many possible causes of heel pain, many of which are preventable. Common causes include:

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation in the wide section of tissue that connects your heel to your toes. Stabbing pain on the bottom of your heel is the main symptom of plantar fasciitis. It usually starts when you take the first couple of steps in the morning. 

Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is inflammation in the tendon that runs between your calf muscles and calcaneus (heel bone). The pain is usually at the back of the heel and might be especially bad where the tendon inserts into the bone.

Heel spurs

Heel spurs are calcium growths on the bottom of your calcaneus. Only around 5% of heel spur sufferers have heel pain as a direct result. But, at least 50% of heel spur sufferers also have plantar fasciitis that causes serious heel pain. Although they occur together often, one condition doesn’t cause the other. 

Some other possible causes of heel pain include bone fractures, arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, excessive pronation, and bursitis, among many others. Certain bodywide conditions can also cause heel pain. For example, up to 85% of fibromyalgia sufferers have heel pain. 

When do I need help with heel pain?

In some cases, rest, ice packs, elevation, and anti-inflammatory drugs can relieve mild heel pain at home. But, if those measures don’t help after a few days, it's time to call the Chicagoland Foot and Ankle team. 

When your heel pain is so severe that you can’t reliably bear weight, stay off your foot and get help immediately. 

What are treatments for heel pain?

The Chicagoland Foot and Ankle team customizes treatment plans. They use state-of-the-art in-office imaging machines, including ultrasound and X-rays, to view your heel bone and all its surrounding structures to find the reason for your pain. 

Following diagnosis, the team typically recommends conservative treatment modalities such as:

• Oral medication
• Taping or bracing
• A night splint, a brace you wear overnight for plantar fasciitis
• Physical therapy
• Custom orthotics
• Steroid injections
  
  

The team also recommends changing your shoes in some cases. Wearing shoes with good arch support and adequate (but not too much) space can make a big difference in your heel pain. 

Some cases of heel pain may require surgery. The Chicagoland Foot and Ankle team includes surgeons with extensive rearfoot surgery experience who can repair even complex damage. 

Book your appointment at Chicagoland Foot and Ankle by phone or through online scheduling today.