Experiencing pain behind your heel can feel like a debilitating burden that interrupts your daily life. Whether it’s a sharp sting with each step or a persistent ache, understanding what’s causing this discomfort is essential for effective relief.
Various factors can contribute to your heel pain, and knowing them could be the key to your recovery journey. Find out what solutions are available to address this common issue.
Key Takeaways
- Common causes of pain behind the heel include Achilles tendinopathy, heel bursitis, and tarsal tunnel syndrome.
- Symptoms often present as sharp pain, swelling, or tingling sensations, especially in the morning.
- Diagnostic approaches involve physical exams, patient history, and imaging tests to determine the cause.
- Effective treatments include conservative methods, custom orthotics, supportive footwear, and shock wave therapy for chronic issues.
- Self-care strategies like calf stretches, ice application, and proper rest can aid relief and healing.
Common Causes of Pain Behind the Heel
When you experience pain behind your heel, it’s often linked to specific conditions such as Achilles tendinitis, heel bursitis, or tarsal tunnel syndrome:
- Achilles tendonitis, a common issue, arises from overuse injuries, creating inflammation and discomfort in the tendon.
- Bursitis can cause posterior heel pain due to inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the tendon.
- Achilles tendinitis and bursitis can lead to painful inflammation in the tendon and surrounding heel areas.
- Flat footwear can stretch the plantar fascia, leading to swelling and pain, further complicating your condition.
- Poor foot mechanics, like high or low arches, can exacerbate these conditions, stressing the Achilles tendon.
- Lifestyle factors such as excessive running, improper footwear, and obesity can increase the risk of developing heel pain.
Symptoms Associated With Heel Pain
Heel pain manifests through various symptoms that can significantly impact your daily activities. You may experience pain behind the heel, a sore heel, or even pain in the back of the heel, particularly when getting out of bed or after prolonged sitting.
Common causes include conditions like plantar fasciitis, which often leads to morning stiffness and can worsen with activity, reducing mobility. If left untreated, these issues can escalate into chronic pain.
A physical examination can help identify the underlying causes, and taking anti-inflammatory medication may provide temporary relief. Exploring nonsurgical treatment approaches, such as rest, custom orthotics, or physical therapy, is essential for effectively managing heel pain and restoring function.
Diagnostic Approaches in Podiatry
Accurately identifying the underlying cause of your heel pain is paramount for effective treatment.
Your podiatrist will conduct a thorough physical examination, evaluating the location and severity of your pain, range of motion, and any visible signs of inflammation or deformities.
Imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs may be used to identify structural issues or fractures contributing to your discomfort.
| Diagnostic Approach | Purpose | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
|
Physical Examination |
Evaluate pain location, severity, and range of motion |
Visible signs of inflammation or deformities |
|
Imaging Tests |
Identify structural issues, fractures, or inflammation |
X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasound may be used |
|
Patient History |
Understand contributing factors and guide treatment |
Activity levels, footwear choices, previous injuries |
Your podiatrist will also evaluate your foot biomechanics and gait to identify any underlying issues that may exacerbate your heel pain. This extensive diagnostic approach enables the development of targeted treatment strategies to address the root cause of your discomfort and provide lasting relief.
Effective Podiatry Treatment Options
What treatment options can effectively address your heel pain? Our Podiatrists will consider a multifaceted approach to alleviate conditions like retrocalcaneal bursitis and insertional Achilles tendinopathy that are causing your heel pain.
| Treatment Options | Description |
|---|---|
|
Orthotics |
Custom devices to support your foot and alleviate foot pain back of heel. |
|
Physical Therapy |
Exercises and stretches to enhance flexibility and reduce sharp pain in back of heel. |
|
Over-the-Counter Medications |
Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen for pain relief. |
|
Supportive Footwear |
Shoes with proper cushioning and support, essential for preventive measures. |
|
Advanced Technologies |
Innovative treatments like laser therapy and Electrical Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) for enhanced recovery. |
These treatment options promote healing and help manage symptoms, allowing you to return to your usual activities. Remember, early intervention can lead to successful treatment and quicker recovery from heel pain. Additionally, using well-constructed footwear can help prevent plantar fasciitis and other heel issues from developing.
Please watch the following video tutorial from licenced UK healthcare provider Sports Injury Clinic to give you a better understanding of the physical therapy exercises that may be recommended to you by one of your heel pain podiatrists:
Self-Care Strategies for Relief
While seeking professional podiatry care is essential for managing heel pain, you can also implement self-care strategies to find relief and support the healing process:
- Regularly stretching your calf muscles and plantar fascia can alleviate tension and prevent exacerbation of conditions like plantar fasciitis.
- Applying ice to the affected area for 15-20 minutes several times daily reduces inflammation and provides temporary relief from pain in the back of your heel or foot.
- Maintaining a healthy weight decreases strain on your heel and lower extremities.
- Wear supportive footwear with sufficient arch support and cushioning to distribute weight evenly and minimise stress.
- To promote healing and prevent further irritation, avoid activities that place excessive pressure on your heel, such as running on hard surfaces.
When to Seek Professional Help
Although self-care strategies can relieve pain behind the heel, it’s important to recognise when professional intervention becomes necessary.
While home remedies can ease heel pain, knowing when to seek professional help is crucial for proper treatment and recovery.
Suppose you’ve been experiencing persistent back heel injury, heel pain, or symptoms of Achilles tendinitis or plantar fasciitis for over three weeks despite home remedies. In that case, it’s time to seek professional help from a podiatrist.
Watch out for these signs that indicate the need for medical evaluation:
- Swelling, redness, or warmth around the heel, suggesting inflammation.
- The pain is sharp and localised, worsening with activity or upon waking.
- Difficulty walking or engaging in daily activities due to heel discomfort.
Factors such as obesity or recent changes in activity level may also warrant a consultation to prevent further complications and guarantee lasting relief.
In Closing...
Understanding the causes of pain behind the heel is crucial for effective relief. Common causes include Achilles tendonitis, which affects the back of the heel, and bursitis, which involves inflammation around the heel.
Ignoring this discomfort can lead to chronic issues that impair mobility and quality of life. Early intervention with self-care strategies, such as rest and proper footwear, is essential, but a professional evaluation is critical for personalised treatment.
For lasting solutions and expert care, consult Bellevue Podiatry for a comprehensive assessment and tailored treatment plan.
If you want the right professional advice on how to treat your foot pain, we currently have a limited offer running to help you out. For just $79 (usually valued at $189), book in online for our Complete Foot Pain Assessment & Treatment Consultation will get:
- Complete In-Depth Foot Pain Examination
- Review of Footwear & Personal Habit Diagnosis
- Treadmill Walking Gait Analysis & Video Assessment
- Complete Foot & Ankle Structural Diagnosis
- Effective Foot Pain Treatment Plan To Get You Walking Pain Free
- Peace of Mind You Know What Is Causing Your Foot Pain & How To Fix It
Check out our heel pain eBook below for further details on this special offer as well as other tips and techniques you can try at home to manage your plantar fasciitis and foot pain.
You don’t need to put up with heel pain any longer. Our team of experienced Podiatrists have the education and experience to get you moving pain free again. Take control today by booking in online or call us today on (03) 8104 9270 to get this issue sorted once and for all.
Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis
Understand what causes your foot pain and what you can do to get rid of it once and for all. Find out what treatments can get you back to walking pain free so you can enjoy living an active life again!
Bellevue Podiatry
Bellevue Podiatry has been serving the people of Rosanna and its surrounding suburbs for over 10 years. We have the qualifications, experience and education to effectively treat any lower limb condition or injury that requires expert podiatry care.
Nicole Hardidge - Heel Pain Principal Podiatrist
Nicole graduated with a Bachelor of Podiatry from Latrobe University in 2009 with a certificate in Advanced Clinical Education. Nicole has completed her post graduate certificate in wound care through Monash University.
If you would like a deeper understanding of the content discussed in this article, please click on the links below:
- Cleveland Clinic: S. heel pain: causes, diagnosis, and treatment, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/heel-pain
- Ankle and Foot Centres—Why Does My Heel Hurt? A Foot Doctor Explains the Causes, https://ankleandfootcenters.com/why-does-my-heel-hurt/
- MedicalNewsToday discusses the causes, prevention, and treatments of heel pain. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181453
- Mayo Clinic – Heel Pain Causes, https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/heel-pain/basics/causes/sym-20050788
- Better Health Channel – Foot problems – heel pain, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/foot-problems-heel-pain