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Heel Pain

Heel pain is one of the most common reasons for a person to see a podiatrist. There are many causes of heel pain including:

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Severs (children only)
  • Fat pad contusion
  • Bursitis
  • Stress fracture
  • Gout
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Tibial nerve compression

Plantar fasciitis most commonly presents as a dull sporadic pain or bruise like feeling that can progress to a more intense sharper pain. Pain is usually worse first thing in the morning or when getting up after a period of rest.

The plantar fascia is a fibrous band that extends from the heel bone and fans out over the arch towards the toes. Contributing factors causing heel pain can be:

  • Weight gain
  • Spending long hours standing on feet
  • Increase in activity
  • Poor footwear
  • Poor foot biomechanics

There are many treatments available including:

  • Strapping
  • Stretching
  • Ice
  • Avoiding aggravating activities
  • Avoiding going barefoot
  • Massage
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Anti-inflammatories
  • Footwear change
  • Orthotics
  • Needling
  • Night splint
  • Physiotherapy