Everyday I have patients come into the office with chief complaint of heel pain. Many of these patients will say to me that they have been told they have a heel spur or that Google told them they have a heel spur.

Although heel pain CAN be caused by a heel spur, this is usually not the case. Heel pain is most commonly caused by a condition known as, plantar fasciitis. This is inflammation of the ligament on the bottom of your foot that attaches to your heel bone.  This ligament is similar to an elastic band. When you are sitting it gets very tight, then when you step down it stretches out. As it stretches, it pulls at the heel bone where it inserts, causing pain and inflammation. This pain is most commonly felt first thing in the morning or after periods of sitting. Patient’s with chronic plantar fasciitis, will frequently develop a heel spur, from the constant pulling of the ligament on the bone. In these cases, however, this heel spur is usually not the cause of the pain.

What can cause a heel spur?

  • Chronic plantar fasciitis
  • Arthritis (ie. Reiter’s, Rheumatoid)
  • Obesity
  • Other

How do we treat plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is initially treated with steroid injections along with anti-inflammatories, stretching and icing. Once the pain is resolved, it will be important to keep stretching daily in order to keep the ligament loose. It is also important to get into a supportive shoe with an insert, to give that ligament more support. In the few patients who do not get relief with the previous treatments, we then look to other options, such as ultrasound and physical therapy. If you are a patient with reccuring plantar fasciitis, you may want to consider a small procedure where we cut the plantar fascia so that it is no longer causing you pain. This is called an Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy. Less frequently than this, you may also need the bone spur removed, if there is one.

 

Heel FractureBy James Heilman, MD – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49068272

It’s Not Always Plantar Fasciitis…

Although it is common, plantar fasciitis is not always the cause of your heel pain. Heel pain can also be caused by a condition known as Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. This is inflammation of the nerve that travels from the inside of your ankle to the bottom of your foot. This is frequently associated not only with pain, but tingling, numbness and burning. Other causes of heel pain can be fracture, bone tumors, or even diabetic neuropathy.

If you are unsure of the causes of your heel pain, call Hollowbrook Foot Specialists today, at (845) 298-9074, for an appointment. We are serving the Hudson Valley area from Wappingers Falls.

By: Samantha DelRegno D.P.M.

Your Top-Rated & New Favorite Podiatrist In Wappingers Falls, NY

Always arrive to a pleasant cheerful staff! They make you feel welcome and get you situated quickly! The Doctor is friendly and makes your feet feel great! I travel a bit to get to this office, but it is so worth it! The staff is always helpful and customizes my appointments to my needs!

- Bob D.

bob 5 star review

GREAT EXPERIENCE!!!! Very nice, friendly, and thorough doctor. Wonderful staff too! Very clean office. They fit me into there schedule the same day. They recognized my issue right away and got me out of discomfort painlessly.

- Jordan C.

jordan 5 star review

You will not find a better podiatrist than Dr. Schlam. I have been seeing him for over twenty years and he has been a godsend for my foot pain. If only I could give six stars...

- John M.

john 5 star review

Great experience. They got my son in as soon as possible as made sure his foot was ok. Will definitely use them again!

- Irene T.

irene 5 star review

The best health care experience. The staff and nurses are super friendly and Dr. Schlam is very good. I highly recommend Hollowbrook Foot Specialists.

- Bob D.

5 star review

*The reviews listed are from actual patients of Hollowbrook Foot Specialists. Individual results may vary. Reviews are not claimed to represent results for everyone.

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Our Wappingers Falls
Podiatry Office
89 E. Main Street
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

Phone: 845-298-9074

Office Hours:
Monday: 9am - 7pm
Tuesday: 8:30am -7pm
Wednesday: 9am - 5pm
Thursday: 8:30am - 5pm
Friday: 9am - 4pm
Saturday: 9am - 1pm (By Appointment Only)

hollowbrook foot specialist office
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Our Wappingers Falls
Podiatry Office
89 E. Main Street
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

Phone: 845-298-9074

Office Hours:
Monday: 9am - 5pm
Tuesday: 9am - 5pm
Wednesday: 9am - 5pm
Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Friday: 9am - 4pm

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