4 Common Causes of Heel Pain

Many people use the phrase “pain in the neck” to describe something that’s persistently troublesome, but “pain in the heel” might be more apt. When you have heel pain, every step you take becomes a problem. 

If this issue sounds familiar, you probably want to clear it up as quickly as possible. That means finding out what’s causing the pain in the first place. 

That’s where we come in. As heel pain specialists, Christopher Vittori, DPM, and Ameet Thakrar, DPM, can assess your heel and figure out what’s causing your pain. That allows them to apply targeted treatment to bring you relief. 

To figure out what’s causing your heel pain, visit us at our Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist offices in Homer Glen and New Lenox, Illinois. 

While quite a few issues can contribute to heel pain, many people afflicted with this symptom have one of these four conditions:

#1: Plantar fasciitis

If you have a stabbing pain in your heel that’s usually at its worst when you first get out of bed, it’s probably plantar fasciitis. This condition develops when the thick band of connective tissue along the bottom of your foot (your plantar fascia) gets inflamed. 

#2: Achilles tendonitis

Your Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to the back of your heel. As a result, if you feel your pain in the back of the heel, it could be stemming from this tendon. 

Achilles tendonitis develops when your Achilles tendon gets inflamed. You might notice swelling and tenderness in the back of your heel, too. 

#3: Bursitis

Your bursae — little sacs filled with fluid — help to cushion your joints. But they can get inflamed, causing bursitis. When this issue affects your heel, it usually feels like a dull ache that gets worse as the day goes on. 

#4: Stress fractures

It’s possible to crack a bone in your foot and not know it. Stress fractures start as tiny cracks in the bone because of repeated movement and pressure on the area. When this happens in your heel, it’s called a calcaneal stress fracture.

If you have intense pain in one part of your heel, a stress fracture could be to blame. That’s particularly true if the pain worsens when you stand for a lengthy period or try to stretch your foot. 

Clearly, heel pain can stem from any number of causes. To find out what’s behind the issue, visit our team. Here, with tools like physical exams and X-rays, we can assess your heel and diagnose the problem. That way, we can tailor treatment to help it heal — and to ease your pain. Call us, or schedule an appointment online today to finally kick that persistent heel pain.