Heel pain is a common complaint among athletes that can sideline even the best of them for weeks. But “heel pain” isn’t a single diagnosis!
Several different conditions can cause discomfort in this crucial area, each stemming from different structures and requiring a specific diagnosis. In this blog, New England Podiatry Associates will break down 5 conditions that are often at fault.
1.) Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is a leading cause of heel pain in athletes. Inflamed tissues along the bottom of the foot connect to the heel bone, so during and after physical activity, athletes will feel sharp or intense pain under the heel.
- Runners are particularly susceptible to plantar fasciitis due to constant pressure on the back of their feet. Athletes with tight calf muscles or who haven’t trained in a while are also at risk.
2.) Achilles Tendonitis
The Achilles tendon connects the calf to the heel, so it is technically a cause of heel pain. You’ll hear about a major athlete sustaining a major Achilles injury almost monthly. Tiger Woods just ruptured his in March!
- Inflammation of this tendon causes a dull ache or stiffness at the back of the heel, or slightly higher up the lower leg. Like plantar fasciitis, it’s often worse in the morning or after rest and can intensify after activity.
3.) Heel Spurs
Heel spurs are often mistaken for plantar fasciitis because of their similar symptoms, but they are actually bony growths of calcium that form on the underside of the heel bone.
- Heel spurs themselves are often painless, but when pain is present, it’s usually because the spur is irritating the surrounding plantar fascia tissue. Athletes develop heel spurs over a long period due to chronic strain on foot muscles and ligaments, often as a secondary response to long-standing plantar fasciitis.
4.) Sever’s Disease:
Sever’s Disease is one of the most common causes of heel pain for active young children between the ages of 8 and 12.
- It’s an inflammation of the heel bone’s growth plate (where the Achilles attaches) that causes pain at the back of the heel during and after activity.
5.) Heel Pad Contusion:
A deep bruise to the fatty pad under the heel that usually occurs from a hard landing.
- We see this a lot in basketball players, cross-country runners, and other sports that involve jumping. Over time, continued stress on the heel pad can cause heel fat pad syndrome.
Does any of the above sound uncomfortably familiar? We can help! Get in touch and step toward relief today.
Dr. Catherine Jacobs, Dr. Zachary Sax, Dr. Joshua Oulette, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, and Dr. Raymond Murano III of New England Podiatry Associates provide comprehensive medical and surgical care for a wide spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
