Heel Pain

About Heel Pain

The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. It is usually caused by a biomechanical imbalance resulting in tension along the plantar fascia. Patients usually describe pain in the heel on taking the first several steps in the morning, with the symptoms lessening as walking continues. They frequently relate that the pain is localized to an area that the examiner identifies as the medial calcaneal tubercle.
Treatment consists of medial arch support, anti-inflammatory medications, ice or heat massage (whatever feels best), and stretching.

Less common causes of heel pain include sciatica, tarsal tunnel syndrome, entrapment of the lateral plantar nerve, rupture of the plantar fascia, calcaneal stress fracture, and calcaneal apophysitis (Sever’s disease).