4 Common Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain affects an estimated two million Americans annually. Sometimes, the pain is minor and resolves with self-care. However, other times, relief requires diagnosis and treatment from an experienced Board-certified foot and ankle surgeon like  Artin Shakhbandaryan, DPM.

Located in West Covina, California, Dr. Shakhbandaryan is an expert in assessing and remedying heel pain, regardless of the cause. In this month’s blog, he breaks down the most common reasons for heel pain and explains when medical intervention is necessary.

1. Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. Your plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs from your heel to the ball of your foot. It’s there to provide shock absorption and to support your foot structure.

Your plantar fascia is hard at work whenever you stand, step, jump, or otherwise move your foot. Although it’s tough tissue, it’s not indestructible. Under some conditions, your plantar fascia can endure microtears, inflammation, or other damage. When that happens, you have plantar fasciitis.

If you have tight calf muscles, are obese, or have flat feet, you’re more likely to develop plantar fasciitis than other people. Your risk also increases if you participate in high-impact activities, such as running.

First-line treatments for plantar fasciitis are resting your feet, performing foot stretches, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, and wearing supportive footwear. If these conservative methods don’t help, Dr. Shakhbandaryan may recommend one or more of the following:

• Custom orthotics
• Corticosteroid injections
• PRP injection

Only in rare instances is surgery needed.

2. Achilles tendonitis

You might associate your Achilles tendon more with your ankle than your heel, but it connects your calf muscle to the bone in your heel. When your Achilles tendon is inflamed, it can cause heel pain.

Most often, Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury. If you run, especially if you dramatically increase your mileage in a short period, regularly climb stairs or jump, or begin walking much more than usual, you may develop Achilles tendonitis. 

Appropriate treatments for plantar fasciitis are similar, but the extent of the injury also determines the right treatment. An evaluation by a skilled podiatrist like Dr. Shakhbandaryan is the best way to determine the right treatment for you.

3. Heel spurs

Around 70% of people with plantar fasciitis develop heel spurs, bony growths on the bottom of the heel bone. Although heel spurs can result from plantar fasciitis, they can also occur in people who don’t have heel pain at all.

Treating heel spurs is often a matter of treating plantar fasciitis. Talking to Dr. Shakhbandaryan about your shoes and activities and following his treatment suggestions can help. 

4. Bursitis

Bursas are small fluid-filled sacs in many of your joints to smooth the movement between tendons and muscles. Unfortunately, bursas can become irritated and inflamed, and when that happens in your heel, you have heel bursitis. 

Heel bursitis is sometimes associated with an abnormal gait or shoes that don’t have enough cushioning. Anti-inflammatory medication can help ease heel pain, and bursas can heal properly. 

If you’re living with heel pain, book an appointment online with Dr. Shakhbandaryan at Step By Step Foot and Ankle Center today. Call the office at (626) 414-2600 or use the online booking tool.