Steven B. Overpeck, DPM / Foot and Ankle Health Center

11/04/2025

Thanks so much for your generosity, Michael and Jillissa! We are so appreciative of your contribution to our end of the year food and sock drive! Contributions can be made at either of our locations during business hours (Channahon is every Tuesday morning, every other Friday afternoon).

11/03/2025

Donations are starting to come in. Please donate unopened non-perishable food items, and new socks! Now through December 10th, in the Joliet lobby.

10/30/2025

Saturday morning.

Coffee in hand.

The weather crisp, the yard full of leaves, and your body ready to “get it all done.”

That’s when we see the Achilles flare-ups start.

You push a little harder than your tendon is ready for.

A few days later, it feels tight, sore, and stiff every morning.

If you’re over 40, that’s a familiar story.

Your Achilles doesn’t heal like it used to.

Rest helps, but rest alone rarely fixes it.

We use proven therapies to stimulate healing and calm the inflammation before it turns serious.

Stretching, good footwear, and smart warm-ups go a long way too.

This is the season to listen to your body.

If your Achilles is whispering now, don’t wait for it to shout.

Treat it early and stay moving all fall.

10/28/2025

Foot pain doesn’t always stay in the foot.

We’ve seen people come in for hip or knee pain, only to find the problem started below.

When your arch collapses or your heel tilts, your whole body adjusts to keep balance.

That tiny change can ripple upward into joints that were never meant to carry that kind of strain.

Over time, the pain migrates.

It becomes “something else” that doctors can’t quite explain.

The good news is, once we find the real cause, the relief is often immediate.

Sometimes it’s as simple as a custom insert or a small alignment correction.

Sometimes it’s treating that old injury you forgot about.

Your body works as a chain.

When one link falters, the others pay for it.

Fix the foundation, and everything above feels better.

10/24/2025

10/21/2025

If you are experiencing pain on the ball of the foot, you certainly aren’t alone.

The ball of the foot is one of the most common parts of the foot that can be problematic.

The ball of the foot is the area just before where the toes meet the foot.

There are a whole host of conditions that can happen here.

It’s rather amazing how our bodies can withstand the amount of pressure we put on them in a lifetime.

The balls of the feet are subjected to more pressure than any other part of our body.

We aren’t surprised by how many people we see with pain in this area.

Joint problems, bone problems, tendon problems and nerve problems are all possible on the ball of the foot.

Warts and calluses are also common here.

Most of us were born with enough cushion to withstand the pounding of this area.

Some people, unfortunately, lose this cushion, causing even more stress on the structures under it.

The best home remedies for pain on the ball of the foot are wearing shoes with a decent amount of cushion, avoiding being barefoot on hard surfaces, applying ice if there’s swelling and taking an anti-inflammatory if the pain level is significant.

Like all other foot conditions, the most important first step is to make an accurate diagnosis.

The longer you let pain linger in this area, the higher the probability that another part of your foot will suffer from compensating.

Even worse, your knee, hip or back could get involved.

Getting a foot problem better can be easier than pain in one of these other areas.

If the ball of your foot still hurts after trying different shoes or curtailing high-impact activities, it would be wise to have us evaluate it.

There have been plenty of times when one simple remedy can erase months of suffering.

Effortless mobility is our chief goal for our patients.

10/16/2025

It started as a little twinge.

A small ache when you got out of bed in the morning.

You thought it would go away on its own.

But now every step feels like you’re walking on a bruise that never heals.

That’s how plantar fasciitis works.

It sneaks up slowly and overstays its welcome.

You stretch.

You ice.

You buy new shoes.

And still, the pain lingers.

We see this every fall when people finally slow down and realize their heel pain isn’t “just tired feet.”

This is the perfect time to fix it.

Most insurance deductibles reset soon, which means your treatments may already be covered.

If we get started now, you can walk into the holidays pain-free and ahead of the new year.

Don’t wait for it to get worse.

Your feet carry you through every season.

Let’s make sure they can do it comfortably.

10/14/2025

A man came in today after twisting his ankle during yardwork last month.

He thought it had healed, but every time he stepped off a curb, it gave way again.

Old ankle injuries love to make a comeback when the weather cools.

Leaves, uneven driveways, and quick turns can all trigger pain or swelling that shouldn’t still be there.

If an ankle feels weak, wobbly, or sore for more than a few days, it’s sending a message.

Something never fully recovered.

We can strengthen and stabilize that ankle before it becomes a long-term problem.

It might mean targeted therapy, better support, or simply the right pair of shoes.

Balance starts from the ground up.

When the ankle is strong, confidence follows.

Let’s make sure yours are ready for everything fall brings.

10/09/2025

Bunions and hammertoes often go hand in hand.

A bunion shifts the big toe. That shift changes how the smaller toes bear weight. Over time, they curl downward.

That’s a hammertoe.

Cold weather makes this worse. Closed shoes and boots press against the deformities.

Corns and calluses appear. Pain follows.

Here’s how to help.

Pick shoes with soft uppers and extra depth.

Use protective padding to reduce friction.

Orthotics can realign pressure and provide relief.

When conservative care isn’t enough, surgery may be considered.

And here’s the truth.

This isn’t just cosmetic. Left untreated, bunions and hammertoes change how you walk.

That can trigger knee, hip, and back problems.

If your toes are crowding or curling, don’t wait, see a specialist (Us!).

10/02/2025

Summer is forgiving to bunions.

Open-toed shoes give them room to breathe.

But fall and winter? That’s when bunions remind you they’re there.

Closed-toed shoes and boots squeeze them. Pain, redness, and swelling set in.

A bunion is an enlargement of bone at the base of the big toe. It runs in families. And it rarely improves on its own.

Here are some simple strategies.

Choose shoes with a wide toe box.

Avoid heels higher than two inches.

Protect bunions with pads or sleeves to reduce rubbing.

More advanced cases?

Custom orthotics can help. In some situations, surgery is the long-term fix.

But here’s the point.

Don’t wait until the pain limits your mobility.

A bunion can change how you walk. That leads to knee, hip, and even back problems.

If your bunions are acting up this season, it’s time to act.

10/01/2025

Check out our YouTube channel! Dr. Overpeck has posted several informative videos to help you get a better understanding of who he is, what we do, and what to expect when you visit us! Check back often, as videos are typically added weekly. Oh, while you're there, be sure to like and subscribe! 📹👍💻🎉👏