Heel Pain

Heel pain is a common symptom that has many possible causes. It can range from mild to disabling and can occur under the heel (plantar fasciitis, bursitis, stress reaction, nerve pain, etc.) or just behind it where the Achilles tendon connects to the heel bone (achilles tendinitis, achilles tendinosis, bursitis, tearing, etc.) Sometimes heel pain can affect the side of the heel as well.

The heel is the part of the human body that lies at the bottom rear part of each foot. Its shape is formed by the calcaneus ( heel bone). The heel bone is the largest bone in the foot. Because it is such a complex structure, your heel can be prone to injury and pain from multiple issues and structures within the same bone. 

Common Causes of Heel Pain

Heel Pain Treatment in Columbus, Dublin, Powell, OH

At Performance Podiatry Ohio, Dr. Kristin Thomas and Dr. Zach Thomas offer both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options for heel pain. To schedule an appointment, please text or call Performance Podiatry at (614)-407-3171 or request an appointment online.

Plantar Fasciitis

  • Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, which is sometimes also called heel spur syndrome. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs from the tip of the big toe to the heel. Tightness of the calf muscles and / or hamstrings cause overload of the plantar fascia at its attachment to the heel bone. Overuse can cause inflammation, or the plantar fascia may tear where it attaches to the heel. It supports the arch of the foot and absorbs most of the stresses we place on our feet. When plantar fasciitis occurs, the plantar fascia first becomes irritated, inflamed, and thickened resulting in heel pain.

Achilles Tendonitis / Tendinosis / Peritendinitis

  • Back of the heel pain is most often caused by achilles tendinitis. The achilles is the strongest tendon in your lower leg and runs from the knee to the heel. Tightness of the calf muscles and / or hamstrings cause overload of the achilles tendon at its attachment to the heel bone. Overuse can cause inflammation, pain and thickening or the achilles tendon may tear where it attaches to the heel. The achilles tendon absorbs most of the shock in our legs.

Sever’s Disease ( Growing Pains) (Apophysitis)

  • Sever’s disease (also known as calcaneal apophysitis) is a painful inflammation of the heel’s growth plate. It typically affects children between the ages of 8 and 14 years old but can occur before or after these ages, because the heel bone (calcaneus) is not fully developed until at least age 14. Until then, new bone is forming at the growth plate (physis), a weak area located at the back of the heel. When there is too much repetitive stress on the growth plate, inflammation can develop.

Haglund’s Deformity ( Pump Bump)

  • Haglund’s deformity is a bony enlargement on the back of the heel. The soft tissue near the Achilles tendon becomes irritated when the bony enlargement rubs against shoes. This often leads to painful bursitis, an inflammation of the bursa (a fluid-filled sac between the tendon and bone). Haglund’s deformity is often called “pump bump” because the rigid backs of pump-style shoes can create pressure that aggravates the enlargement when walking. In fact, any shoes with a rigid back, such as ice skates, men’s dress shoes, or women’s pumps, can cause this irritation.

Heel Pain Diagnosis in Columbus, Dublin, Powell, OH

At Performance Podiatry Ohio, Dr. Kristin Thomas and Dr. Zach Thomas will use advanced clinical tools like gait analysis, slow-motion video capture, x-ray, and biomechanical analysis to reach an accurate diagnosis for your heel pain and begin prompt, effective treatment.