What Could Be the Cause of Your Heel Pain? Here Are 6 Potential Culprits

At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we routinely treat patients with perhaps the most common complaint in the podiatry world: heel pain. But unraveling the underlying cause of the heel pain is the million-dollar question.

Visiting a podiatrist for an official diagnosis is necessary for an answer, but here are 6 common causes for your curiosity in the meantime.

Plantar Fasciitis

This is one of the most common causes of heel pain, as it involves inflammation of the plantar fascia that lives at the bottom of your foot. Symptoms include sharp pain in the heel, especially in the morning or after rest.

Achilles Tendonitis

This condition affects the Achilles tendon, the largest tendon in the body, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the back of the heel, especially during vigorous athletic activity.

Heel Spurs

These are bony growths that develop on the heel bone. While they may not always cause pain, they can irritate the surrounding tissues and lead to discomfort.

Heel Bursitis

This condition involves inflammation of the bursa, a fluid ball that cushions the Achilles tendon. Its symptoms are pain, swelling, and tenderness at the back of the heel.

Neurological Pain

Conditions like peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, and pain in the heel.

Skin Conditions

The skin on the heel can be prone to dryness, cracking, and fungal infections. These conditions can cause pain and discomfort and increase the risk of infection.

Preventing Heel Pain

For targeted relief and rehabilitation, physical therapy can provide exercises to strengthen the foot and ankle muscles. Moreover, beyond traditional therapy, shockwave therapy, aka “EPAT” (Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology), is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive procedure that has shown great promise in reducing heel pain.

At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we treat a diverse variety of foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are eager to serve our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.