Heel Pain

Feet | Orthopaedics | Heel Pain (Symptom)


Description

The heel is a cushion of fatty tissue that protects the structures of the foot, including the heel bone, muscles and ligaments. Heel pain is a common foot complaint. Complications include plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. Severs disease is a common cause of heel pain in children.

Causes

Pain in the heel can result from a number of factors. Abnormalities of the skin, nerves, bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues of the heel can all result in pain. Because of walking and daily movement, we are always at risk for injury or trauma to the heel area.

Common causes of pain in the heel include blisters and corns. Plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the bowstring-like tissue in the sole of the foot stretching from the heel to the front of the foot, is one condition commonly associated with heel pain.

Some of the many causes of heel pain can include: (1) Abnormal walking style (gait), such as rolling the feet inwards (2) Obesity (3) Ill-fitting shoes (4) Standing, running or jumping on hard surfaces (5) Injury to the heel, such as stress fractures (6) Bursitis (inflammation of a bursa – bursae are small sacs that contain fluid to lubricate moving parts, such as joints and muscles) (7) Neuroma (nerve enlargement) (8) Certain disorders, including diabetes and arthritis.

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