Heel Pain Specialist

What is heel pain?

Heel pain is one of the most common foot-related health problems, but it affects everyone differently. Sometimes it causes a sharp, shooting pain directly under your heel or just behind it. Other times, it’s dull and throbbing and occurs on the outer edge or inside of your heel. 

Heel pain typically doesn’t result following an accident or injury. Instead, it develops due to repetitive stress, such as daily-wear-and-tear or pounding of your heel. 

What are some common causes of heel pain?

At Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, the team regularly treats heel pain caused by a number of ailments, including:

Plantar fasciitis

Your plantar fascia is a thick band of web-like tissue that runs from your heels to your toes. Activities like running, walking, and jumping can cause your plantar fascia to stretch too far, causing small tears to form. Left untreated, these small tears become inflamed, causing significant heel pain. Plantar fasciitis is the leading cause of heel pain worldwide. 

Heel bursitis

Bursa are small, fluid-filled sacs that help cushion your joints. Stepping down in an awkward way or rolling your ankle can cause the bursa toward the back of your heel to become inflamed. Pain caused by heel bursitis is dull but typically gets worse throughout the course of the day. 

Stress fractures

A stress fracture occurs as a result of strenuous exercise, repetitive stress, or heavy manual labor. Stress fractures can affect anyone, but they’re especially common in runners and people with osteoporosis. 

Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis, also known as degenerative tendinopathy, is a chronic condition marked by the progressive degeneration of your Achilles tendon. Exercise and other repetitive activities can put stress on your Achilles tendon, causing small tears to form. As more tears form, your Achilles tendon becomes weaker causing pain, swelling, and immobility. 

How is heel pain diagnosed?

At Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, the team diagnoses heel pain by physically examining your foot and ankle, reviewing your medical history, and asking about your symptoms. 

Your provider might also ask you to stand up, sit down, and walk around the room to observe your gait and posture. If necessary, the team might also order X-rays to get a closer look at the underlying structures of your feet.

How is heel pain treated?

While traditional rest and ice help, we specialize in Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) and MLS Laser Therapy. These FDA-cleared technologies allow us to treat chronic plantar fasciitis at the cellular level, offering a non-invasive alternative to surgery for patients in Homer Glen and New Lenox."

Treatment for heel pain depends on the source and severity of your symptoms.  

For mild heel pain, your Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist provider might recommend physical therapy; rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE protocol); or custom orthotic devices. 

If your heel pain persists or gets worse, surgical intervention may be necessary. Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist offers minimally invasive, arthroscopic techniques. 

Don’t let ankle pain keep you sidelined. Make an appointment at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist by calling the office or clicking the booking tool today.

• On-site Digital X-rays for immediate diagnosis.

• Custom 4D Orthotics for long-term structural support.

• Regenerative Injections to speed up tissue healing.

Q: How do custom orthotics help with chronic heel pain?

A: Custom orthotics at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist are designed to correct biomechanical imbalances that cause strain on the plantar fascia. Unlike store-bought inserts, our precision-fit devices provide targeted arch support and heel cushioning to redistribute pressure and eliminate the root cause of pain.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plantar Fasciitis

Why is my heel pain worse with my first steps in the morning? This is a classic symptom of plantar fasciitis. While you sleep, the fascia ligament contracts and tightens. Your first steps in the morning cause micro-tears as the ligament is forced to stretch abruptly. At Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, we provide specialized stretching protocols and night splints to prevent this morning discomfort.

What is the most common cause of chronic heel pain? The most frequent cause is Plantar Fasciitis, often triggered by biomechanical imbalances. At Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, we use 4D Digital Scanning to identify these imbalances. By creating custom orthotics that provide specific arch support, we redistribute weight and alleviate the repetitive stress on the plantar fascia ligament.

How do custom orthotics treat the root cause of heel pain? Unlike store-bought inserts, our 4D Digital Scanning allows us to create custom orthotics that precisely correct your foot's biomechanical alignment. By supporting the arch and redistributing pressure away from the heel, we stop the repetitive stress that causes inflammation in the first place.

What advanced non-surgical treatments do you offer in Homer Glen? We specialize in high-tech, non-invasive solutions for patients in Homer Glen, New Lenox, and Orland Park, including:

• MLS Laser Therapy: To accelerate tissue healing and reduce inflammation.

• Shockwave Therapy: To trigger the body’s natural healing response in chronic cases.

• Custom Bracing: For additional stability during recovery.

Can plantar fasciitis be cured permanently? Yes. By combining expert diagnosis with advanced technology like custom orthotics and regenerative therapies, most patients achieve permanent relief without the need for traditional open surgery.

At Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, we specialize in advanced, non-surgical relief for chronic heel pain. Our Homer Glen clinic utilizes MLS Laser Therapy and Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) to treat plantar fasciitis at the cellular level, achieving a 95% success rate for our patients in New Lenox and the surrounding Southwest Suburbs.