Pain to the Bottom of the Heel Can Have Many Causes

Pain on the bottom of the heel is most often caused by plantar fasciitis. Heel pain may also be due to other causes, such as a stress fracture, arthritis, nerve irritation, or, a bone tumor or cyst. Because there are several potential causes, it is important to have heel pain properly diagnosed.

A stress fracture to the heel bone will cause pain when walking, but the heel area may also be red, hot, swollen, and bruised.

Arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis not only affect the joints, but can also cause inflammation of the tendons and ligaments in the foot leading to heel pain.

There are 2 types of nerve entrapments that can cause heel pain. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is similar to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. A large nerve to the inside of the foot can be compressed by large veins, a soft tissue mass, or even because of the structural changes to the foot from severe flatfoot deformity. Patients with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome have pain to the bottom of the heel, but may also experience shooting pains along the entire bottom of the foot and numbness and tingling of the toes.

Baxter’s nerve entrapment is another cause of heel pain. Baxter’s nerve is a small nerve branch on the bottom of the foot that becomes entrapped by a muscle on the bottom of the foot. This type of heel pain is typically worsened with long activity and often radiates to the outside of the bottom of the heel.

Certain types of heel bone cysts or tumors can also cause heel pain. Bone cysts can be filled with water or blood. Fatty tumors called lipomas are common in the heel bone. Rarely, the heel bone can have a metastatic tumor.

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes. Plantar fasciitis generally results in pain to the heel after any period of rest and with long activity.

A thorough history and physical exam is necessary to properly diagnose heel pain. X-rays, diagnostic ultrasound, MRI, CT scans, or nerve studies may be necessary as well.

If you have pain to the bottom of your heel, call Central Kansas Podiatry Associates for further evaluation.