What causes heel pain?
There are a number of common foot conditions which can result in heel pain. These consist of:
- Plantar fasciitis – wear and tear of the soft connective tissue on the bottom of the heel. This is the most common cause of heel pain. This may be the problem if you have difficulty tilting your toes off the floor.
- Achilles tendonitis – an inflammation of the Achilles tendon which is found at the back of your ankle
- Heel spurs – bone growths that can develop under the heel from the heel bone
- Nerve pain
- Fat pad atrophy – where the fat padding under the skin which cushions your heel bone wastes away, leaving the bone more vulnerable to impacts and pain
Heel pain can also be caused by other conditions such as:
- Overuse injuries from sports or increased activity
- Poor footwear – such as those with a lack of support and cushioning
- Foot posture or altered mechanics (the structure of your foot and how it functions) – for example if you have very flat or a highly arched foot type, or tight calf muscles
- Age-related natural progressive wear and tear
What are the symptoms of heel pain?
Heel pain can manifest in a few different ways. For instance, you might experience:
- Pain in your heel which sometimes extends into the arch of your foot
- Pain and/or stiffness which is worse when you first start walking after a period of rest, such as first thing in the morning when you get out of bed
- Sharp, dull or throbbing pain, followed by inflammation
- Pain when walking or running while either barefoot or wearing unsupportive footwear
