What causes heel pain?

Heel pain can develop for several different reasons, chief among them:

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia — a strip of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot — becomes inflamed and causes a stabbing or burning sensation.

Achilles tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis occurs when your Achilles tendon — the tendon that connects your calf muscle to your heel — becomes inflamed, causing pain in your heel.

Excessive pronation

When you walk, the heel is the first part of your foot that touches the ground, and the rest of your foot flexes to adapt to the surface. If this happens too often or too dramatically, you may experience pain in the heel.

Bone spurs

Bone spurs on your heel bones can cause moderate heel pain.

In addition to the above conditions, heel pain can also be caused by several lifestyle and behavioral issues, such as:

• Wearing flat shoes with no support
• Weight gain
• Engaging in a new exercise program without proper training

Dr. Dunn works with you to get to the root of the problem to treat your pain quickly and effectively.

What treatments are available?

Treatment for heel pain depends on the cause of your pain, but Dr. Dunn typically turns to one or more of the following:

Medication

Some types of heel pain — such as the pain caused by Achilles tendinitis or plantar fasciitis — may improve with anti-inflammatory medications.

Physical therapy

Dr. E. Charisse Dunn may recommend exercises that are designed to stretch your tendons, muscles, and ligaments.

Custom orthotics

Custom orthotics are individualized devices that fit your feet and hold them in the proper alignment, so this may help if you have pain related to plantar fasciitis or excessive pronation.

Surgery

If a bone spur causes your heel pain, you may need surgery to resolve it.

Which treatment is best?

The best treatment for heel pain depends on the cause of your pain, your current health, and your lifestyle. Make an appointment with Dr. Charisse Dunn to better understand the options that are available to you.