Heel Pain Causes and Solutions: Insights from Podiatric Experts

Suffering from heel pain in Atlanta and Decatur, GA? Dr. Jimmy Gregory is the podiatrist to have on your team.

Heel Pain Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

Heel pain can be invasive, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. Below, Dr. Gregory and his team in Atlanta and Decatur, GA, explain the causes and how a podiatrist can help. 

What Causes Heel Pain?

Though every individual is different, some of the most common causes of heel pain include the following.  

• Plantar fasciitis: The plantar fascia is a thick connective tissue that runs from the heel to the toes on the bottom of the feet. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed, typically due to overuse. When inflamed, it creates a stabbing sensation near your heel, especially after you've been still for hours.  
• Heel spurs: Heel spurs are bony growths on the bottom of the heel bone. They can occur alone or with plantar fasciitis.  
• Achilles tendinitis: Along the back of the lower legs is the Achilles tendon, which connects to the heel bone. When this tendon is injured or inflamed, it can cause heel pain. 
• Excessive pronation: When you step, your foot is supposed to roll from the heel to the big toe. For some people, the arch tends to roll inward, which puts undue pressure on the rest of the foot, including the heel.  
• Bursitis: At the back of the heel bone sits a sac of fluid called the bursa that acts as a cushion. When the bursa becomes inflamed, typically due to overuse, it creates heel pain. This is called retrocalcaneal bursitis and is likely to feel like a throbbing sensation when you put weight on the foot.

How To Prevent Heel Pain

Injuries can occur at any time, but the following tips can help minimize the chances of experiencing heel pain.  

• Wear shoes that fit your feet properly and provide the arch support you need.  
• Replace old shoes as they become worn.  
• Don’t wear high-heeled shoes. Keep the heels two inches or lower.  
• Stretch your feet each day.  
• Warm up before exercising and stretch afterward.  
• If you are overweight or obese, talk to a professional nutritionist about shedding extra pounds to reduce strain on the feet.  
• Vary your workouts to avoid overburdening the heels or any other body part.

Treating Heel Pain

The first step to treating heel pain is determining the cause of that pain. Only then can an effective treatment plan be developed. In most cases, conservative measures can relieve heel pain. These include but are not limited to:  

• Therapeutic exercises  
• Custom orthotics  
• Lifestyle adjustments, such as changing your activities  
• Soft tissue therapy  

Surgery is also available when necessary but is only recommended when conservative approaches are not enough. 

Visit Atlanta and Decatur, GA podiatrist Dr. Jimmy Gregory for heel pain relief. Schedule an appointment at our Atlanta office at (404) 755-2291 or our Decatur office at (404) 284-7744.