Foot pain in general, regardless of the cause or level of intensity can make daily life miserable. However, while pain in the toes, arch, or ball is difficult, heel pain tends to be even more difficult. Keep in mind that at some point in life, most people experience heel pain for one reason or another but there are times when the pain is the cause of something more serious needing medical care.
Since there are a number of heel pain causes, some more annoyances and some quite serious, we wanted to take the opportunity to provide information to help people know when seeing a doctor should occur. Of course, if someone were experiencing foot pain of any type for more than a few days, noticed other health problems going on at the same time, or simply had concerns or questions, medical attention should be sought.
Plantar Fasciitis
Of all heel pain causes, this is the most common. When a person has a biomechanical imbalance, tension in the plantar fascia would result, which is the thick connective tissue providing support to the arch located on the bottom of the foot. Pain in the heel is by far the most obvious symptom but a person might also experience pain in other regions such as the arch.
When heel pain of this kind occurs, a doctor would offer a firm diagnosis based on clinical findings. Once confirmed, several treatment options would be offered to include a medial arch support, ice therapy, massage, stretching exercises, and if needed, anti-inflammatory medication and/or corticosteroid injections. However, for Plantar Fasciitis, rest is the most beneficial thing a person can do.
Sciatica
While Plantar Fasciitis is at the top of the list for heel pain causes, there are others to include Sciatica. In this case, pressure applied to the L5-S1 nerve root causes tingling sensations and pain that run through the anterior, gluteal, lateral, and posterior leg muscles, as well as the heel of the foot. In addition to pain being felt in these parts of the body from pressure on the sciatic nerve, some people will also feel sharp pain in the thigh and buttocks.
Because pain can be quite intense from Sciatica causing pain to the heel, walking and standing can be difficult. At this point, a doctor would need to conduct a physical examination, which would help determine all regions of the body involved, severity of the problem, and offer confirmation to the problem. The good news is that different treatments to decompress the nerve are available, which in turn would eliminate the odd sensation and pain.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Whereas carpal tunnel syndrome affects the hands, tarsal tunnel syndrome is one of many heel pain causes. When the posterior tibial nerve is compressed, pain and a burning sensation occur. Typically, when a person has this condition, discomfort in the heel of the foot would be felt, which may or may not intensify over time. However, the one common complaint that people with tarsal tunnel syndrome share is pain and burning primarily when standing or walking for long periods.
To determine if the cause of pain is in fact associated with tarsal tunnel syndrome, a doctor would perform a physical examination, look at the foot’s structures, watch how the individual walks, and more than likely, conduct some type of electromyographic test or nerve conduction velocity study. For relief, rest, pain medication, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and/or some type of orthotic device would be recommended.
Lateral Plantar Nerve Entrapment
Yet another one of the many heel pain causes is when the lateral plantar nerve becomes entrapped. In most cases, this problem occurs when the abductor halluces and quandratus plantae muscles get pressed or entrapped. For the individual, the first symptoms would be felt in the heel as burning but usually, pain and a tingling sensation would develop. In most cases, the symptoms of this problem would be intensified with activity.
Most doctors suggest treatments much the same as those offered for someone with Plantar Fasciitis. For example, stretching exercises, massage, and ice therapy would all be beneficial. However, other treatments that might be suggested include pain and/or anti-inflammatory medication, an orthotic device for support, and in more severe cases, corticosteroid injections.
Calcaneal Stress Fracture
The last of the heel pain causes we wanted to mention is a stress fracture. Sometimes, this and Plantar Fasciitis can be confused without a doctor’s diagnosis since symptoms are virtually identical. Most often, a stress fracture of this kind is seen in runners or people who are extremely physically active. Depending on the exact bone involved and degree of the stress fracture, pain would vary. However, unlike a more serious fracture that would require a cast or surgery, this will heal on its own with rest and an orthotic support device.