What Causes Heel Pain?

If you have pain in your legs, the simplest tasks of walking and moving around can be very difficult. There is a wide range of foot pain that one can experience, but one of the most common is heel pain. Many people suffer from heel pain at one point in their lives, and there are many different causes of heel pain, each varying in severity. For some, heel pain may be temporary, with only a few days left. But for others, it may be a more chronic condition.

One of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, which causes inflammation in the plantar fascia. This is a tough tissue band that starts at the heel of your foot that goes through the foot to the toes. It is the condition that causes overuse and is most commonly seen in older adults, but can be experienced by any age group.

A person with plantar fasciitis may have stretch pain when taking a step, and the pain may be the first worst thing in the morning when getting out of bed.

Plantar fasciitis rarely requires surgery, as there are many non-surgical treatment options that can alleviate symptoms. Some of these remedies include using over-the-counter painkillers, wearing a splint at night, using a cup of gel heels for your shoes, and stretching and massaging the area.

Some patients may experience relief shortly after treatment but others may need more time. Some patients do not get relief until about six months to a year later, but this is usually based on the severity of the condition.

Depending on the severity of the condition, steroid injections may be recommended, but this may increase the risk of future plantar fascia tears. Surgery is often the last resort to treat plantar fasciitis.

Other causes of heel pain may include stress fractures - commonly seen in runners - Achilles tendonitis, or tarsal tunnel syndrome.

If your heel pain does not resolve after using home remedies and treatments, talk to your doctor to find out the root cause as more severe treatment may be recommended. Always make sure you wear proper footwear and avoid overuse in order to reduce your risk of heel pain and injury.