Common Causes of Heel Pain: Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Spurs, and More

5 Common Causes of Heel Pain 

Pain in the heel can be awful, to say the least. It can make every step you take excruciating. Sometimes, it can even interfere with your ability to rest. Below, Dr. Belancio and the team at South Jersey Foot and Ankle Specialists in Vineland, NJ, share some of the most common causes of heel pain and how a foot and ankle specialist can help. 

1. Foot Mechanics

 Your weight is normally distributed evenly among the many components of the feet. Unfortunately, arch issues, overpronation, and other problems within the foot mechanics lead to uneven weight distribution. This can result in many things, including the remaining causes of pain in the heel mentioned below. 

2. Plantar Fasciitis 

 Plantar fasciitis ranks highly among the causes of heel pain. You have a band of thick connective tissue at the bottom of your feet that connects the toes to the heel. 

This band, the plantar fascia, is heavily involved with all of your movement and supports your weight as you walk, run, and stand. Factors such as being overweight, as well as being highly active, can both cause damage and inflammation to the plantar fascia, which leads to pain in the heels. 

3. Bone Spurs 

 Other muscles, ligaments, and tissues in your feet can also be impacted by high levels of activity, as well as weight, foot mechanics, and even poorly fitting shoes. When the soft tissues, including the plantar fascia, are strained, they can lead to bony growths on the bottom of the heel. 

4. Achilles Tendinitis 

 If you’re experiencing pain in the back of the heel, it’s probably due to issues with your Achilles tendon. This tendon runs along the back of the leg to connect the calves to the heels. Overuse and tendon strains can lead to pain, inflammation, and bony growths on the heel. 

5. Bursitis 

 Your ankle joints, like many parts of the body, have a small sac of fluid called the bursa that provides cushioning and reduces friction. The bursa often becomes inflamed due to overuse, which leads to pain in the heel. 

Dr. Belancio is dedicated to helping uncover the cause of your heel pain, developing a customized plan to provide relief, and helping you avoid pain in the future. Call (856) 839-0579 to schedule an appointment at South Jersey Foot and Ankle Specialists in Vineland, NJ, today.