What to Do About that Bothersome Heel Pain 

When you first get out of bed, you want to begin your day strong. But if you immediately have pain in your heel, it starts you off on the wrong foot — somewhat literally. 

If that sounds familiar, it’s time to make an appointment with Christopher Vittori, DPM, or Ameet Thakrar, DPM. As experts in diagnosing and treating heel pain, they can get to the root of the issue and, more importantly, help you find relief.

Visit us at either of our Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist offices — in Homer Glen and New Lenox, Illinois — to soothe that bothersome heel pain.

The most common cause of heel pain

While heel pain can stem from a number of causes, the most common is plantar fasciitis. 

This condition develops in tandem with a problem with the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. This connective tissue helps to absorb shock as you walk, run, and jump while supporting the arch of your foot. Since it gets stressed with every step you take, it’s unsurprising that it can run into problems.

When you develop plantar fasciitis, the plantar fascia gets inflamed. 

You can usually diagnose this condition on your own because the resulting heel pain is so specific. Plantar fasciitis feels like a stabbing pain at the bottom of your heel. 

Most notably, this pain flares after a period of rest. You might feel it particularly strongly when you first get out of bed in the morning, and notice it again if you stand after a period of sitting for a while. Many people get relief if they keep moving.

That doesn’t mean the plantar fascia is healed, though. It just means the plantar fascia has adjusted to the elongation that happens as you move. 

To get lasting relief from this heel pain, talk with Dr. Thakrar and Dr. Vittori. 

Getting relief from your plantar fasciitis

Here’s the good news: plantar fasciitis usually heals on its own if you take proper care of it. That means resting the affected foot for long enough for the inflammation to resolve. Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can help here, too. 

We might also recommend a custom orthotic to better cushion the plantar fascia. 

We start with conservative treatment options like these. If your heel pain isn’t gone within a couple of weeks, Dr. Vittori and Dr. Thakrar can scale up treatment as needed. We partner with you to help you heal your heel. 

If you’re living with stabbing heel pain that’s at its worst when you first get up, don’t wait to get a personalized plantar fasciitis treatment plan. To get started, call us, or schedule an appointment online today.