Heel Pain: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment (2024)

FAQs

What is the number one cause of 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. The diagnosis is typically based on the history and the finding of localized tenderness.

If you can, try resting as much as possible for at least a week. Apply ice to the painful area twice a day or so, for 10 to 15 minutes. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and inflammation. If you need to, you can buy a heel cup, felts pads, or shoe inserts to comfort your heel.

Plantar fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It occurs when the fascia — connective tissue that runs along the bottom (plantar surface) of your foot — tears or stretches and becomes inflamed. People who run and jump a lot are more likely to develop this painful condition.

Research suggests that low levels of vitamin B12 can cause a burning sensation in the soles, heels, or pads of your toes. Other indications of a vitamin B12 deficiency include numbness in the limbs or feet, balance issues, mouth ulcers, and vision disturbances.

While it is a prevalent foot condition, it's crucial to recognise that several other conditions can mimic its symptoms. These include heel spurs, tarsal tunnel syndrome, Achilles tendinitis, stress fractures, and bursitis.

Symptoms involving heel pain that should raise some red flags are: Inability to put weight on your heel, affecting your ability to walk and run. Heel pain that does not go away after several days of rest. Pain at rest.

Heel pain often goes away on its own with home care. For heel pain that isn't severe, try the following: Rest. If possible, don't do anything that puts stress on your heels, such as running, standing for long periods or walking on hard surfaces.

For other people, walking is a productive part of their recovery process. As long as walking isn't directly causing heel pain, it's okay to take a brisk walk for exercise or to walk for transportation. If your feet are sore after walking, make sure to stretch and ice them as soon as you get home.

Kidney disease can also cause nerve damage, which can lead to a condition called peripheral neuropathy. This occurs when the nerves that carry signals to and from the feet and legs become damaged, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and burning pain.

How did I finally cured my plantar fasciitis? ›

To treat plantar fasciitis yourself, do stretching exercises for the plantar fascia several times a day, ice your foot, take NSAIDs, rest your foot, wear orthotics to support your heel and arch, and decrease the amount or length of activities that cause you pain such as walking or running.

Ankylosing spondylitis: This condition can cause heel pain due to enthesitis, which is inflammation where tendons and ligaments attach to bones. Enthesitis may affect the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): This is another autoimmune disorder that can cause heel pain.

Stay away from inflammatory foods

These include processed foods, red meats, sugary treats, and refined grains. These foods can cause an increase in inflammation and slow down the healing process. Instead, aim for an anti-inflammatory diet rich in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and whole grains.

By adding Epsom salt to a small tub of warm water, it is possible to soak feet and relieve some of the inflammation from the heel spurs. It is only necessary to add 1 cup to a foot soak. Since Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, it can naturally reduce inflammation just like taking magnesium capsules can.

For the majority of people, plantar fasciitis can be treated at home with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Others may need physical therapy or steroid injections to treat their foot.