What Is Heel Pain?
Heel pain is one of the most common complaints affecting foot and ankle health. It can occur beneath the heel (plantar side) or behind the heel (posterior side). If left untreated, heel pain often worsens and can become a chronic condition.
While our feet are built to handle a lot, excessive or repetitive stress can overwhelm the tissues, leading to pain. Heel pain happens when the structures in or around the heel become inflamed, injured or irritated.
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What Causes Heel Pain?
Heel pain can arise from issues either beneath the heel or behind it.
Pain Under the Heel
- Trauma from stepping on a hard object can bruise the fat pad under the heel
- Plantar fasciitis: strain and scarring of the fascia tissue due to repetitive stress or lack of support
- Heel spur: Calcium deposits that form from long-standing plantar fasciitis
- Calcaneus fracture: Repetitive high-impact stress or severe trauma can fracture the heel bone
- Nerve entrapment: Swelling from repetitive impact can compress nerves under the heel
- Heel fractures can occur from extreme trauma, such as car accidents
Pain Behind the Heel
- Inflammation at the insertion of the Achilles tendon, often caused by repetitive stress or shoes that rub the heel
- Breakdown and thickening of the Achilles tendon where it attaches to the heel bone
Continued activity on a painful heel can worsen symptoms and lead to additional problems.
How Is Heel Pain Treated?
Most heel pain improves without surgery. Treatment for heel issues may include some combination of:
- Rest
- Ice
- Specific exercises and stretches
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Footwear adjustments
- Physical therapy
Note: Chronic heel pain often requires several months of consistent treatment. Your doctor may recommend a combination of these measures.
Treat Heel Pain at OrthoNebraska
Looking for relief from heel pain in the Omaha area? At OrthoNebraska, we want to make sure that our patients feel understood, safe and confident to take on an appropriate treatment plan. With proper management, we can help you reduce pain levels and improve quality of life.
