By Center for Podiatric Medicine
April 12, 2016
Category: Foot Health
Tags: Heel Pain
Find out the best way to combat your heel pain and get back on your feet faster.
Heel pain is one of the most common issues our Schaumburg and River North, IL podiatrists hear about from patients, and this symptom has so many causes. While heel pain can be the result of an illness like arthritis, it is usually due to a more localized and short-term condition, such as:
Plantar fasciitis
Achilles tendinitis
Heel spurs
Bursitis
Trapped nerve
In order to treat your heel pain effectively, you will need to see your Schaumburg and River North foot doctor for a proper diagnosis. When you come in for care, we will listen to the symptoms you are experiencing and ask follow-up questions regarding your pain, lifestyle and medical history. We will also examine your feet and possibly perform some imaging or diagnostic tests.
If your heel pain is caused by plantar fasciitis….
Conservative treatments are the first line of defense against one of the most common causes of heel pain. Your treatment regime might include:
Rest
Stretching exercises
Icing
Over-the-counter pain medications and anti-inflammatories
If these treatments don’t get the results you need, we may recommend splinting the foot, shockwave therapy or corticosteroid injections. Surgery is rarely needed with this condition.
If your heel pain is caused by a heel spur….
One of the easiest ways to treat a heel spur is with custom orthotics or shoe supports that help to cushion and support the heel. Sometimes corticosteroid injections are also recommended. Just like plantar fasciitis, surgery is rarely necessary.
If your heel pain is caused by Achilles tendinitis….
This condition is treated similarly to plantar fasciitis in which rest, icing, stretching exercises and NSAIDs are often all that’s needed to target and eliminate this problem.
If your heel pain is caused by bursitis….
Bursitis is often treated the same way as heel spurs and may require a change of footwear to reduce pressure and pain placed on the heel and to also provide more support.
If your heel pain is caused by a trapped nerve….
A trapped nerve can be caused by a sprain or fracture and it’s important that we treat this issue first to release the nerve. Surgery is rarely needed to release the nerve.
If heel pain is affecting your life then it’s time you turned to our Schaumburg and River North, IL podiatric office. Let the experts at The Center for Podiatric Medicine help you get back on your feet in no time.
