Heel Pain

Every year, two million people are treated for heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis — and that’s just one of several possible reasons you struggle with heel pain. Joseph Hall, DPM (Foot and Ankle Specialist), at Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic in Mill Creek, Washington has extensive experience diagnosing the source of your heel pain and providing a personalized treatment plan to heal the problem, ease your pain, and get you back to action. Call the office or connect online today to request an appointment.

What causes heel pain?

You may injure or bruise your heel when running and jumping or due to wearing unsupportive footwear. Being overweight can also put enough stress on the heel to cause pain.

However, the most common causes of heel pain are the following conditions:

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation in the ligament connecting your heel and toes. Repetitive stress, high-impact activities, and a tight Achilles tendon frequently cause plantar fasciitis.

Achilles tendonitis

Inflammation in the Achilles tendon causes heel pain. Small tears and inflammation most often develop due to repetitive movement.

Heel spurs

A bony growth (heel spur) usually develops when other conditions stress the heel. Plantar fasciitis, gait disorders, muscle strains, ligament sprains, and activities like running and dancing are the top causes of heel spurs.

Calcaneal apophysitis (Sever’s disease)

Sever’s disease, a condition causing heel pain in children, occurs when inflammation develops in the heel's growth plate.

Growth plates are replaced by bone after children mature. Until then, this area is vulnerable to trauma because it’s weaker than the nearby ligaments and tendons. As a result, inflammation often occurs due to repetitive stress (from running and jumping) during growth spurts.

What symptoms accompany heel pain?

You or your child may have mild swelling and tenderness underneath or behind the heel. Achilles tendonitis causes pain and tenderness along the back of the leg.

If you have plantar fasciitis, the pain is typically worse when taking your first steps after sleeping or resting. The pain improves as you walk and stretch the ligament.

How is heel pain treated?

Your treatment plan depends on the cause and severity of your heel pain. Dr. Hall and the Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic team may ask you to temporarily change your activities to limit stress on the ankle.

They begin your treatment with conservative therapies, such as:

• Prescription 3D orthotics
• Padding and taping
• Immobilizing the foot
• Steroid injections
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Exercise regimen or physical therapy
• Walking cast or brace
• Night splint

Heel pain seldom requires surgery, but that may be an option if Dr. Hall must repair a torn tendon or remove a bone spur. 

Call Dr. Joseph hall at the Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic if you need relief from heel pain. You can also schedule a heel exam by booking one online.