Heel pain isn’t always a cause for concern, as it can be the result of poorly fitting shoes or prolonged standing. That said, heel pain can also be due to an underlying condition. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor when you experience pain around your heel. At Northside Foot & Ankle PC, Timothy Kruse, DPM, can determine the cause of your heel pain and provide treatment. Call the office in River North, Chicago, or Evanston, Illinois, today or reach out online to schedule an appointment.
Heel pain is rarely serious, but it can affect your daily life. Often the cause of discomfort during walking, running, or other physical activity, heel pain is a common symptom of:
Treatment for heel pain varies based on the condition causing the pain and its severity. In some instances, heel pain can be resolved by rest, icing the area, wearing a compression device, and elevating the heel (RICE protocol). In other cases, heel pain can only be treated by addressing the underlying condition. This may require custom orthotics, casts, boots, or surgery.
Heel pain generally falls into two categories:
Pain beneath the heel is generally a symptom of a stone bruise, plantar fasciitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, or a heel spur.
A stone bruise happens when a person steps on something hard such as a rock or stone, resulting in a bruise in the soft tissue beneath the heel. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the tissue band that runs from the heel bone to the base of the toes.
Much like carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome happens when the tarsal nerve is compressed on the bottom of the foot. The inflammation of the space where the nerve sits often leads to pain beneath the heel. A heel spur is a calcium deposit where the fascia tissue connects to the heel bone.
Pain behind the heel is often related to problems with the Achilles tendon. Running too much, wearing improper shoes, or an injury to the Achilles can result in pain behind the heel.
While injuries to the Achilles tendon may require surgery, inflammation of the area may be resolved with RICE, custom orthotics, and properly fitting shoes.
Podiatrists use the location of heel pain to determine which diagnostic testing to perform and which treatment protocols to use
If you have heel pain, call the Northside Foot & Ankle PC office nearest you today or book a consultation online.