Heel pain is one of the most common complaints of patients that visit our podiatrists and foot and ankle surgeon here at Chestnut Hill Podiatry Associates, PC. When they come in for their consultation in our Philadelphia PA and Huntington Valley PA offices, some describe their pain as annoying and throbbing, while others describe it as debilitating and stabbing.

Heel pain could result from various things. And since the foot’s anatomy is very complex, your podiatrist will have to consider all issues associated with the bones, skin, nerves, and soft tissues that make up the ankle and foot when examining your hurting heel. With this in mind, here are some viable reasons for your heel pain.

Achilles Tendonitis

This is a condition that results in Achilles tendon becoming inflamed. It typically develops due to overuse injuries but can also be caused by unmanaged arthritis or bone spurs.

Plantar Fasciitis

This foot condition causes inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia, a band that forms your foot arch and connects the toe base to the heel bone. The pain that accompanies plant fasciitis is usually felt on the heel’s bottom portion and occurs when standing up after waking or prolonged rest. Talk to your Foot and Ankle Surgeon Philadelphia team about your symptoms to see if this is a possible cause.

Stress Fractures

These typically occur in long-distance runners or athletes that increase their distance without proper preparation. This repeated stress, in turn, might lead to a break or fracture in the heel bone.

Heel Pad Bruise

This results in a sharp pain over the heel’s bottom portion. It might develop after trauma to the heel, such as landing badly from a fall or high jump or following excessive and intense weight-bearing exercises. You'll want to schedule an appointment with your Foot and Ankle Surgeon Philadelphia right away.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

This is a nerve condition that causes pinching of a big nerve located at the foot’s back portion. Just as it is with carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the hands, tingling and numbing is present and pain typically gets worse at night.

These are just some of the more common heel pain causes. That being said, your podiatrist or foot and ankle surgeon in our Philadelphia PA or Huntington Valley PA office can help determine what’s causing your pain and create a treatment plan that would be most effective for your case.

Need Heel Pain Relief? Reach Out to Us

Schedule a meeting with one of our podiatrists or foot and ankle surgeons here at Chestnut Hill Podiatry Associates, PC. Call our Philadelphia PA office at (215) 247-0879 or our Huntingdon Valley PA office at (215) 379-5112.