Common causes of heel pain – Heel pain is often caused by exercising too much or wearing shoes that are too tight. Your symptoms might also give you an idea of what’s causing your heel pain.
| Symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Sharp pain between your arch and heel, feels worse when you start walking and better when resting, difficulty raising toes off floor | Plantar fasciitis |
| Pain in the back of the heel, and in the ankle and calf | Achilles tendonitis |
| Redness and swelling, dull aching pain in heel | Bursitis |
| Sudden sharp pain in heel, swelling, a popping or snapping sound during the injury, difficulty walking | Heel fracture or ruptured Achilles tendon |
Information: Do not worry if you’re not sure what the problem is. Follow the advice on this page and see a GP if the pain does not get better in 2 weeks.
Contents
What does pain in the left heel indicate?
The most common causes of heel pain are plantar fasciitis (bottom of the heel) and Achilles tendinitis (back of the heel). Causes of heel pain also include:
Achilles tendinitis Achilles tendon rupture Bone tumor Bursitis (joint inflammation)Haglund’s deformityHeel spur Osteomyelitis (a bone infection) Paget’s disease of bone Peripheral neuropathy Plantar fasciitis Reactive arthritis Retrocalcaneal bursitis Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease) Sarcoidosis (collections of inflammatory cells in the body) Stress fractures Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
How do I get rid of the pain in my heel?
Treating heel pain resting your heel – avoiding walking long distances and standing for long periods. regular stretching – stretching your calf muscles and plantar fascia. pain relief – using an icepack on the affected heel and taking painkillers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Should I stop walking if my heel hurts?
Is walking good for heel pain? – Depending on your specific circumstances, walking may help your heel pain, or make it worse. If you experience excruciating pain while walking, try to rest as much as possible until the pain subsides. Wear supportive shoes with orthotic inserts any time you need to walk, and stretch and warm up your feet before long bouts of walking.
- Avoid walking barefoot, even around the house, or wear Heel Seat Wraps to protect and support your heels without shoes.
- For other people, walking is a productive part of their recovery process.
- As long as walking isn’t directly causing heel pain, it’s okay to take a brisk walk for exercise or to walk for transportation.
If your feet are sore after walking, make sure to stretch and ice them as soon as you get home.
How do I know if my heel pain is serious?
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if: –
heel pain is severe or stopping you doing normal activitiesthe pain is getting worse or keeps coming backthe pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeksyou have any tingling or loss of sensation in your footyou have diabetes and have heel pain – foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes
What we mean by severe pain Severe pain:
always there and so bad it’s hard to think or talkyou cannot sleepit’s very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress
Moderate pain:
always theremakes it hard to concentrate or sleepyou can manage to get up, wash or dress
Mild pain:
comes and goesis annoying but does not stop you doing daily activities
Is pain in heel serious?
When should I call the doctor? – You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:
Pain that doesn’t improve in a few weeks with rest or pain relievers. Pain that makes walking or movement difficult. Severe foot or heel swelling, inflammation or stiffness.
Will heel pain go away on its own?
Self-care – Heel pain often goes away on its own with home care. For heel pain that isn’t severe, try the following:
- Rest. If possible, avoid activities that put stress on your heels, such as running, standing for long periods or walking on hard surfaces.
- Ice. Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on your heel for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day.
- New shoes. Be sure your shoes fit properly and provide plenty of support. If you’re an athlete, choose shoes appropriate for your sport, and replace them regularly.
- Foot supports. Heel cups or wedges that you buy in the drugstore often provide relief. Custom-made orthotics usually aren’t needed for heel problems.
- Over-the-counter pain medications. Aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) can reduce inflammation and pain.
How long does it take for a hurt heel to heal?
Overview – A bruised heel is an injury to the fat pad that protects the heel bone. It’s also known as policeman’s heel. You can get a bruised heel from the repeated force of your foot striking the ground, like if you run or jump a lot. It can also happen from a single injury, such as jumping from a big height onto your heel.
Can hardly walk on my heel?
Plantar fasciitis – Plantar fasciitis is the most common reason for heel pain. The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue that runs from the heel bone to the tip of the foot. When the fascia stretches beyond its normal capacity, its fibers become inflamed, resulting in pain.
You often feel the pain where the tissue attaches to the heel bone, but you can feel it in the middle of the foot as well. Those who are most at risk for developing plantar fasciitis are active adults aged 40-70, especially if they’re runners or are on their feet for long periods, such as standing at work.
Also at risk are those who are overweight or obese, and pregnant women due to the additional weight they carry. Structural foot problems such as flat feet or high arches can strain the tissue, too, as can wearing shoes without enough arch support. Treatment starts with basic therapies, including icing, rest, braces, and OTC anti-inflammatory medications.
Is it OK to keep walking with plantar fasciitis?
What Treatments Exist For Plantar Fasciitis and Does Walking Help? – Plantar fasciitis can be treated. Every patient is different and some patients even receive relief from their symptoms by simply changing shoes. Walking around after lying or sitting for a time may ease plantar fasciitis symptoms as the ligament stretches out. Treatment for plantar fasciitis can take six to nine months after you and your doctor settle on a treatment plan, which could include:
Avoiding running or walking on hard surfaces Changing your shoes for ones that support the arch and cushion the foot Icing the foot and heel Prescribing a foot brace for plantar fasciitis to wear at night or during the day Resting and elevating the foot Seeing a physical therapist who can teach you exercises to stretch the plantar fascia Steroid shot in the bottom of the foot to reduce inflammation Taking over the counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin Toe and calf stretches several times a day
Your doctor may try several non-invasive treatments before considering a steroid shot or even surgery to alleviate the problem. In severe cases, an orthopaedic surgeon may perform plantar fascia release to make small cuts in the ligament to release the tightness and alleviate pain.
Why won’t my heel pain go away?
If your heel makes you holler in pain with every step, clearly daily activities can be hindered, much less any sports or hobbies you enjoy. Knowing what’s behind your hurting heel is key to treating the problem and easing discomfort. Though there are many culprits, the most common causes of persistent heel pain result from overuse.
Stress placed on your feet over and over again, such as in the case of activities that involve a lot of running and jumping, can lead to tiny tears in the plantar fascia – the band of tissues beneath your foot that connects your toes to your heel. This causes the band to become irritated and inflamed resulting in persistent heel pain, especially with the first steps in the morning.
Achilles tendinitis is another common overuse injury that results in heel pain that won’t go away. Your Achilles tendon attaches to your heel bone, so when the tendon is tight or becomes inflamed from repeated stress, guess what hurts – your heel! Rest, ice, stretches, and orthotics can all help. Founder and Owner of Podiatry Associates, PC
What triggers plantar fasciitis?
Risk factors – Even though plantar fasciitis can develop without an obvious cause, some factors can increase your risk of developing this condition. They include:
- Age. Plantar fasciitis is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 60.
- Certain types of exercise. Activities that place a lot of stress on your heel and attached tissue — such as long-distance running, ballet dancing and aerobic dance — can contribute to the onset of plantar fasciitis.
- Foot mechanics. Flat feet, a high arch or even an atypical pattern of walking can affect the way weight is distributed when you’re standing and can put added stress on the plantar fascia.
- Obesity. Excess pounds put extra stress on your plantar fascia.
- Occupations that keep you on your feet. Factory workers, teachers and others who spend most of their work hours walking or standing on hard surfaces can be at increased risk of plantar fasciitis.
What is gout in heel?
– Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in your body. This excess uric acid can form a substance called urate crystals. When these crystals affect a joint, such as the heel, it can result in sudden and severe symptoms, including:
painswellingtendernessredness
Can diabetes cause heel pain?
Special Considerations for Treating Diabetic Heel Pain and Other Foot Injuries – Diabetic foot injuries caused by neuropathy or plantar fasciitis need to be treated carefully. If you have diabetes, make sure to keep the following considerations in mind as you work with your doctor to keep your feet healthy:
Check your feet daily for cuts, sores, and ulcers. Wash feet and toes daily in warm, soapy water then dry completely and apply a high-quality lotion to keep skin from drying out and cracking Trim your toenails regularly, with the help of a professional familiar with diabetic foot care if possible to avoid cuts or ingrown nails Don’t go barefoot. Wear shoes (or ) and socks at all times to avoid potential injuries or small cuts that can develop into ulcers. Don’t wait to tell your doctor about any new symptoms, cuts, bruises, or loss of sensation in your feet and legs. Check your shoes each morning to make sure there are no pebbles or stray debris inside that might rub against your feet while you walk and create a sore or cut. Regularly replace your shoes to ensure that they fit properly and are not too worn to support your feet effectively while you walk. If you have heel pain from plantar fasciitis and wear orthotic inserts to support your arch, you may want to, which are softer and can help you avoid pressure ulcers. Gently the muscles and ligaments in your feet and legs to keep them as limber and flexible as possible (remember, any exercise routine you follow should be done with a doctor’s knowledge and support). As much as possible, avoid smoking (smoking further restricts blood flow to the extremities and can worsen nerve damage and neuropathy) and maintain a healthy diet and level of physical activity
Managing your diabetes can get overwhelming. But taking the time to learn about potential problems can go a long way toward avoiding the pain, expense, and trauma of serious complications. Taking good care of your feet is still possible, even with diabetes.
How do I know if I have plantar fasciitis or heel spurs?
But sometimes they are unrelated and can result in similar pain. So, what’s the difference? –
Plantar fasciitis causes pain in the heel as a result of a tight or strained plantar fascia tendon. A heel spur is a calcium deposit that causes a bony protrusion on the underside of the heel bone. It can also cause sharp pain in the heel, but this is more rare.
What gets rid of plantar fasciitis?
Physical Therapy – Physical therapy will help you return to your desired activities by improving the way your foot is loaded, restoring mobility to your tissue and addressing areas of weakness or imbalances in your foot. There are several effective physical therapy treatments, including
Manual therapy – Physical therapists use their hands and/or ASTYM®/Graston tools® to manipulate the soft tissue in your foot. It’s like a massage for the plantar fascia. Manual therapy loosens the tight tissue and reduces inflammation. Dry needling – A common treatment for a variety of overuse injuries, dry needling targets trigger points that cause pain, Placing tiny needles into the fascia causes it to release and the pain fades away. Night splints – Wearing a splint while you sleep keeps your foot in a better position throughout the night. So when you wake up, you won’t feel the stabbing pain in your first few steps out of bed. Taping – Kinesiology tape, or KT tape, works similar to a night splint. A physical therapist tapes your foot in a position that better supports your foot’s natural arch and takes pressure off the fascia. Iontophoresis – Physical therapists can also use iontophoresis, which uses electrical stimulation to send topical pain relievers deeper into the soft tissue.
Where is the pain felt with plantar fasciitis?
What does plantar fasciitis feel like? – Plantar fasciitis usually causes an achy pain in your heel or along the bottom of your foot. The pain can change depending on what you’re doing or the time of day. Some types of pain you might feel include:
Pain when you stand up after sleeping or sitting down. The pain usually goes away after walking for a few minutes. A dull, constant ache. Sharp or stabbing pain when you use your affected foot or put pressure on your heel. Exercising or moving might temporarily relieve your pain, but it’ll usually get worse as soon as you stop. Increased pain first thing in the morning or when you stand up after sitting or sleeping.
Can plantar fasciitis go away on its own?
Does Plantar Fasciitis Cure on Its Own? – Plantar fasciitis can go away on its own, but it can take more than a year for the pain to subside. Without treatment, complications can occur. It’s better to see your doctor and start non-surgical treatments right away.
