Did you know that the average American walks about two miles a day? That’s more than 700 miles each year. With so much pressure on your feet, it’s no wonder that heel pain is such a common issue.
Your heel bone is one of the most important weight-bearing points in your foot. It helps you maintain balance and absorb shock with each step. This constant pressure can lead to many painful issues, such as inflammation, stress fractures, or ligament strains.
At Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates in Mission Viejo, California, serving patients throughout South Orange County, our board-certified podiatrists treat a wide range of conditions that can cause heel pain. Understanding the most common causes can help you identify the root of your discomfort and pinpoint the right treatment.
Here are five common causes of heel pain that we see regularly in our patients.
Plantar fasciitis, one of the leading causes of heel pain, happens when the plantar fascia — a thick band of tissue connecting your heel to your toes — becomes inflamed. This often results in sharp pain on the bottom of your heel, particularly with your first steps in the morning or after sitting for long periods.
Contributing factors include flat feet, high arches, overuse, or wearing shoes without proper support.
At Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates, treatment may include custom orthotics to support your arch, physical therapy to improve strength and flexibility, and night splints to stretch the plantar fascia while you sleep.
For persistent cases, advanced options like multiwave locked system (MLS) laser therapy or radial shockwave therapy can reduce inflammation and promote healing.
These calcium deposits build up on the underside of your heel bone, often due to chronic stress on your foot. They don’t always cause pain, but irritation of the surrounding tissues can lead to discomfort. Heel spurs are often the result of plantar fasciitis and long-term stress from activities like running or standing for extended periods.
Supportive footwear and orthotics can help. For more stubborn cases, treatments like radial shockwave therapy or injections of steroids or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may provide relief by reducing inflammation and accelerating healing.
Achilles tendonitis develops when the tendon connecting your calf muscles to your heel swells, often from overuse or tight calf muscles. Pain and stiffness at the back of your heel are common, especially in the morning.
Rest, stretches, and physical therapy can alleviate symptoms. Our team at Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates also offers prolotherapy or PRP injections to stimulate healing in chronic cases, and MLS laser therapy to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Stress fractures in the heel bone can occur from repetitive impact activities like running or jumping. Symptoms include deep, throbbing pain that worsens with activity. Along with rest and protective footwear, our team may recommend therapies such as MLS laser therapy to speed up bone healing and reduce pain.
Sprains and strains often result from overuse, awkward movements, or sudden injuries. These injuries can cause swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the heel and surrounding areas.
Rest, ice, and compression are typically the first steps toward recovery. We may also recommend physical therapy to restore strength and mobility or custom orthotics to provide additional support. In more severe cases, MLS laser therapy or radial shockwave therapy can help relieve pain and promote healing.
If your heel pain persists or interferes with your daily activities, it’s time to consult a specialist. The podiatrists at Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates provide comprehensive evaluations and recommend treatments that target your specific needs, combining conservative care with state-of-the-art therapies for long-term relief.
If you’re struggling with persistent heel pain, reach out to our expert podiatrists at Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates. Call today, or schedule an appointment online.
