Heel Pain
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Heel Pain
It is important to remember that there are a number of conditions which can produce heel pain in an individual.
When we think of heel pain, we more often think of pain directly underneath the heel. This is more commonly seen in middle-aged men and women, people who play sport, are overweight or spend a lot of time on their feet. The clinical name for this condition is plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the tissue connecting the heel to the toes) and can also develop into a heel spur. Heel spurs are bony growths, which form under the heel bone, while plantar fasciitis results in chronic strains or even tears in the muscle or tendon, which are aggravated by activity and add to the inflammation.
In children, we sometimes see growth plate inflammation at the back of the heel where the Achilles tendon attaches (osteochondritis). This can cause extreme pain, particularly during and after sport and can cause the child to limp.
We must also consider that Achilles tendonitis, bursitis (inflammation of the retrocalcaneal bursa, a fluid filled sack behind the Achilles tendon) and even impact injuries like fractures can produce heel pain.
Your Podiatrist is trained to assess and treat any and all of the above conditions.
When we think of heel pain, we more often think of pain directly underneath the heel. This is more commonly seen in middle-aged men and women, people who play sport, are overweight or spend a lot of time on their feet. The clinical name for this condition is plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the tissue connecting the heel to the toes) and can also develop into a heel spur. Heel spurs are bony growths, which form under the heel bone, while plantar fasciitis results in chronic strains or even tears in the muscle or tendon, which are aggravated by activity and add to the inflammation.
In children, we sometimes see growth plate inflammation at the back of the heel where the Achilles tendon attaches (osteochondritis). This can cause extreme pain, particularly during and after sport and can cause the child to limp.
We must also consider that Achilles tendonitis, bursitis (inflammation of the retrocalcaneal bursa, a fluid filled sack behind the Achilles tendon) and even impact injuries like fractures can produce heel pain.
Your Podiatrist is trained to assess and treat any and all of the above conditions.
