Heel pain is a very common foot problem which often occurs as a result of too much stress placed on that part of the foot or repetitive pounding of the heel on hard surfaces. Heel pain may present as either pain under the heel or pain behind it. The most common causes of heel pain include plantar fasciitis (pain on the bottom of the heel) and Achilles tendinitis (pain at the back of the heel).
Other causes of heel pain include:
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Bone bruise
- Bone tumor
- Bursitis
- Gait problems
- Gout
- Haglund’s deformity
- Heel spur
- Morton’s neuroma
- Osteomyelitis
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Stress fractures
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Treatment for Heel Pain
Heel pain symptoms often start gradually and may be easy to ignore at first, with pain coming and going and often being triggered by wearing certain shoes or performing specific activities. In many cases, pain may go away on its own with self care including rest, ice, and over-the-counter medication to help reduce inflammation.
You might consider scheduling an appointment with a podiatrist if you have heel pain that lasts more than a few weeks, especially if you experience pain during moments of rest – for example, if your heel hurts early in the morning. If you’re experiencing severe pain, numbness and/or swelling, see a foot and ankle doctor immediately.
Let us help you figure out the cause of your heel pain – schedule an appointment with a podiatrist today