There are many causes for heel pain, some more serious than others. Unusually long periods of walking or standing can irritate the heel and can be managed quite easily with rest, ice and inflammation reduction. Biomechanical stress from poor foot posture that compromises heel health generally needs more intervention. Replacing old shoes or improperly fitting shoes with new ones, and the use of shoe inserts can improve heel pain dramatically.

If the heel pain does not subside and is severe enough to interfere with your daily activities you have probably developed an overuse condition. Achilles Tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis, or a nerve entrapment are all conditions that arise from around the heel. You should see your podiatrist immediately if your symptoms include:

• Swelling near the heel with severe pain
• Inability to bend the foot downward
• Heel pain, numbness, or tingling, along with a fever
• An injury followed by severe heel pain

Your podiatrist will provide you with an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan.

If you’ve treated your heel pain but then it came back, read about why that may be here: Why Did My Heel Pain Come Back?

Abductor Hallucis Tendinopathy

If you’re getting pain at the bottom of your heel that’s worst first thing in the morning and on standing after rest, a lot of sources will tell you that you’re likely to have plantar fasciitis.

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Achilles Tendonitis

This term simply refers to the inflammation of your Achilles tendon - the cord-like tendon that joins your calf muscles to the back of your heel bone.

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Ankle Pain - Ankle Sprain

Ankle pain due to ankle sprains is unfortunately very common - and incredibly painful! It doesn’t discriminate between adults and kids and stops you from getting out and doing the activities you love.

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Haglund’s Deformity (Pump Bump)

Haglund’s deformity is also known as the Bauer Bump, Pump Bump and Retrocalcaneal Bursitis. Haglund’s deformity is a bony enlargement (bump) at the back of the heel bone.

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Heel Spur

It’s not uncommon for us to see patients complaining of pain from heel spurs. They often describe a sharp pain at the bottom of their foot with each step that feels like a ‘sharp knife’.

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Plantar Fasciitis

If you’re experiencing a sharp, stabbing pain first thing in the morning as you step onto the ground, and through the day after a rest, then there’s a chance you may have plantar fasciitis.

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Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction & Flexible Flatfoot

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) and Flexible Flatfoot are conditions that may cause the flattening of the arches. People with this foot posture often describe their feet as ‘rolled in’.

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