What Causes Heel Pain? 5 Common Problems

What causes heel pain? Unfortunately, since our feet absorb all the pressure of our daily activities, many different conditions can leave your heels in pain. Still, some are more likely contributors than others. So, to help you get to the bottom of your heel pain, here are five of the most likely causes we see in our Westfield, Ind. podiatry practice, also serving Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers & Zionsville. 

1. What causes heel pain? Plantar fasciitis

The most common cause of heel pain is all about plantar fasciitis. (Inflammation in your plantar fascia.) But what is the plantar fascia? This is a ligament that runs along the bottom of your foot, starting at your heel bone. When it gets overstretched, it becomes inflamed and tiny tears may even develop. At that point, you’ll experience pain, most often at the spot where the fascia connects to your heel bone, and usually right when you wake up in the morning. This condition can also cause pain in your mid-foot and arch.  

Overuse is the most common cause of plantar fasciitis. But pregnancy and your foot’s structure can also increase your risk. To manage this kind of heel pain, we start by resting your feet, while icing and stretching the area. In some cases, anti-inflammatory medication can help reduce immediate pain, and some people find relief by wearing a night brace. Other treatments include MLS Laser Therapy and cortisone shots. Over time, physical therapy and orthotics can help prevent plantar fasciitis from returning. 

2. Achilles tendinitis could be what causes heel pain

Your Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. When it gets overworked, tiny tears and inflammation set in, and we’ll diagnose Achilles tendinitis, another type of overuse injury.  In addition to pain at the back of your heel, tendonitis can limit your ability to flex your foot. It also increases your risk for a ruptured Achilles tendon. To treat this cause of heel pain, you’ll need to rest and ice the area, and use anti-inflammatory medication. Again, orthotics, MLS Laser Therapy and physical therapy can help you heal, prevent a tendon rupture and avoid surgery. 

3. Bursitis 

At the back of your heel sits a fluid-filled sac called a bursa that pads your muscles, ligaments and bones. If it becomes inflamed, due to pressure from your shoes, your foot fall or overuse, you’ll experience pain that gets worse throughout the day, localized deep at the back of your heel. Again, rest, ice, and use of  anti-inflammatory medication, MLS Laser Therapy and shoe changes or orthotics can help you heal. 

4. What causes heel pain in children? Sever’s disease!

For young men and women between the ages of 8 and 15, this is one of the most common heel pain causes. Basically, when kids are very active while they grow, they can cause trauma to their heel plate (growth plate), resulting in pain. This injury is most common in student athletes, and the best treatment is to take a break from sports, anti-inflammatory medication and icing and resting the heel as much as possible. 

5. Heel fracture

Your heel, or calcaneus bone, is susceptible to fractures, either from trauma or from built-up stress. With a stress fracture, your pain may come and go, getting worse when you’re active or at the end of a long day. With a traumatic fracture, pain will come on suddenly and will likely be constant. The only way to diagnose either injury is with an X-ray. Then, once we know if your fracture is severe or unstable, we’ll determine the best treatment option, ranging from immobilization to surgery. 

When your heel hurts, you just want to feel better. But Dr. David Sullivan wants to diagnose what causes heel pain for you, so we can provide the most effective treatment. And, to do that, we need to see you in the office. So schedule your appointment today and get on the path to pain relief!