Heel pain: 4 things to know

What causes heel pain?
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause and spares no one, sedentary or active. This occurs when the thick band (plantar fascia) which supports the foot becomes inflamed and painful. Other causes of heel pain include stress fracture and arthritis.

How do I know if I have plantar fasciitis?
A classic sign of plantar fasciitis is heel pain when stepping out of bed in the morning. It may also hurt when standing up after a period off your feet, such as after a long car ride. If untreated, the condition may worsen. In more advanced cases, the heel may hurt all the time.

What causes plantar fasciitis?
There are many factors: type of activates, load on feet, shoes (or lack of shoes), walking surface, and foot structure. It is common for a combination of circumstances to contribute to a painful heel.

What can I do myself to diminish the pain?
  ●  Change shoes. Use new sturdier shoes with shock absorbing materials. Avoid flip flops, slip-ons, and slippers, even at home. Interestingly, plantar fasciitis often hurts less in high heels.
  ●  Cryotherapy. Apply ice to the painful area. Even better, roll your arch on a cold can or frozen golf ball.
  ●  Ibuprofen or Naproxen. The brand names for these over-the-counter anti-inflammatories are Advil, Motrin, and Aleve.
  ●  Home exercises. The most common are calf stretches and strengthening techniques, which ultimately help the bottom of the heel.
  ●  Arch supports. This may be the hardest to accomplish without professional guidance since there is a delicate balance between support, cushioning, and thickness.

In summary, multiple remedies are usually needed to cure plantar fasciitis. An accurate diagnosis and treatment plan is the first step. For expert care, schedule an appointment with Dr. Steven Miller by calling (847) 675-3400 or clicking here.

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Monday:

9:30 am-6:30 pm

Tuesday:

9:30 am-6:30 pm

Wednesday:

9:30 am-6:30 pm

Thursday:

9:30 am-6:30 pm

Friday:

9:30 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

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