Got heel pain? Our heel pain diagnosis chart helps you figure out what’s causing it based on your symptoms and where it hurts.
This pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis. In fact, it’s estimated that 10% of the population will experience heel pain at some point in their lives
For this reason, we are here to show you the heel pain diagnosis chart and discuss some of the most common causes of heel pain, including plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and extra bone growth.
What is Heel Pain?
Heel pain can affect different areas of the foot, underneath or at the back of the heel. It can come from many sources and triggers so understanding what’s causing your discomfort is key.
Whether sharp and stabbing or dull and achy heel pain can be debilitating and affect daily activities and overall well being.
Heel pain’s effects go beyond the pain itself, disrupting work, exercise and daily activities like standing and walking. This can lead to secondary problems like weight gain and decreased activity levels.
Diagnosing Heel Pain
Diagnosing heel pain involves several steps to figure out what’s causing the discomfort. It usually starts with a patient history to get the specifics of the pain and how long it’s been going on to give a base to understand the problem and guide further exams and tests.
Next a physical exam checks for tenderness, swelling and where the pain is located which can help guide the clinical evaluation and narrow down the possibilities.
For example pain at the back of the heel might be Achilles tendonitis and pain underneath the heel might be plantar fasciitis.
If the initial exam is unclear imaging tests like X-rays, MRI and ultrasound can show underlying issues like stress fractures or soft tissue damage.
Heel Pain Causes
Several conditions can cause heel pain each with its own causes and symptoms. One of the most common is plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the thick tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes.
This condition causes sharp pain especially with the first steps after waking up.
Achilles tendonitis another common cause of heel pain is from overuse and repetitive stress to the Achilles tendon. Risk factors are age, male and physical issues like flat foot arches or tight calf muscles.
Running or jumping on uneven surfaces can exacerbate this condition and lead to chronic heel pain and a sore heel.
Other causes:
- Retrocalcaneal bursitis which causes severe pain and swelling at the back of the heel from bursa irritation.
- Sever’s disease common in growing children, inflammation of the growth plate in the heel.
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome where the compression of the posterior tibial nerve causes pain, tingling or numbness in the heel and foot.
Below we are shown the causes in our heel pain diagnosis chart.
Heel Pain Diagnosis Chart
A heel pain diagnosis chart can be helpful, categorizing different types of heel pain by symptoms, location and possible causes. This can help both patients and healthcare providers figure out what’s causing the discomfort. Heel pain can be debilitating and make daily activities hard.
Haglund’s deformity a bony bump on the back of the heel bone can cause chronic pain and inflammation and make mobility and daily activities harder.
In the following sections, we will go into how to identify the pain location, recognize different types of pain, and understand the symptoms. Here’s your heel pain diagnosis chart:
| Symptom | Possible Diagnosis | Description |
|---|
| Pain in the bottom of the heel | Plantar Fasciitis | Inflammation of the plantar fascia; pain worse in the morning |
| Heel pain with swelling | Heel Bursitis | Inflammation of the bursa at the back of the heel |
| Heel pain with tingling or numbness | Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome | Compression of the tibial nerve in the tarsal tunnel |
| Pain at the back of the heel | Achilles Tendinitis | Inflammation of the Achilles tendon; pain worsens after activity |
| Heel pain after a sudden injury | Heel Fracture | Severe pain and swelling following trauma |
| Pain worsened by standing or walking | Heel Spur | Calcium deposit forming a bony protrusion on the heel bone |
| Pain along the inner side of the heel | Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) | Dysfunction or injury to the posterior tibial tendon |
| Burning sensation in the heel | Nerve Entrapment | Nerve compression causing a burning or tingling sensation |
| Heel pain with fever and warmth | Infection (Osteomyelitis) | Bacterial infection in the bone causing redness and warmth |
| Pain in children’s heel | Sever’s Disease | Growth plate inflammation common in physically active children |
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis inflammation of the thick tissue called fascia that connects the heel to the toes is one of the most common causes of heel pain.
This condition manifests as sharp pain in the heel especially with the first steps after waking up or after prolonged sitting.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include heel pain and stiffness that can be variable throughout the day.
Moreover, the pain can be sharp during activities like walking or running but can subside a bit with rest. This variability can make it hard for patients to figure out what’s causing the discomfort.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Symptoms include a gradual ache at the back of the leg or above the heel especially after physical activity. Patients may also experience stiffness or tenderness especially in the morning which can subside with mild movement.
Untreated Achilles tendonitis can lead to serious complications like tendon ruptures which requires surgery.
Heel Stress Fractures
Heel stress fractures are caused by repetitive stress which creates tiny cracks in the bone. A calcaneus stress fracture is one or more cracks in the heel bone usually from repeated stress over time especially in athletes.
Symptoms of a calcaneus stress fracture include severe heel pain and difficulty to bear weight on the heel.
Most people recover within a few months with conservative management like rest and immobilization.
Other Heel Pain Conditions
Besides plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis, there are other conditions that can cause heel pain. Bursitis for example is when the small sacs that cushion the bones and tendons become inflamed and causes pain and swelling.
Haglund’s deformity a bony enlargement on the heel can cause pain and inflammation. Sever’s disease is inflammation of the growth plate attached to the heel bone usually seen in growing children due to excessive force.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is compression of the tibial nerve in the tarsal tunnel at the ankle which causes pain and numbness.
Heel Pain in One Foot Only: My Experience
I vividly recall the moment when I woke up to find my right heel throbbing with pain. It was unexpected and quite unsettling, especially since I hadn’t done anything out of the ordinary the day before.
If you’ve ever felt heel pain in just one foot, you know how it can disrupt your routine and make you wonder about the underlying cause.
From a medical perspective, heel pain in one foot can stem from various issues. One of the most common culprits is plantar fasciitis, where the thick band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes becomes inflamed. This inflammation often leads to a stabbing pain in one heel, particularly during those first few steps in the morning.
Another potential cause is Achilles tendonitis, which involves the inflammation of the Achilles tendon. This condition manifests as pain at the back of the heel and might be more pronounced in one foot due to factors like uneven stress or overuse. Additionally, stress fractures, which are tiny cracks in the heel bone caused by repetitive impact, can also result in pain localized to one foot.
Reflecting on my own experience, I realized that everyday habits could contribute to this discomfort.
Wearing unsupportive shoes, engaging in high-impact activities without proper preparation, or suddenly increasing physical activity can all play a role in developing heel pain in one foot.
To tackle this issue, I found that resting the affected heel and applying ice packs helped reduce the inflammation and provided some relief.
Stretching exercises focused on the plantar fascia and calf muscles were also beneficial, as they improved flexibility and eased the tension in my foot.
If the pain persists or intensifies, it’s wise to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
They can conduct a thorough physical examination and, if needed, suggest imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs to determine the root cause. It’s essential to listen to our bodies and take proactive measures to ensure our feet remain healthy and pain-free.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Heel Pain
Non-surgical treatments for heel pain aims to reduce pain and inflammation, improve foot flexibility and minimize stress on the heel.
Applying ice to the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes 2 to 3 times a day can help reduce inflammation.
Physical therapy with stretching exercises for the plantar fascia and calf muscles can improve flexibility and promote healing. Orthotic inserts like silicone heel cups can provide cushioning and relieve pressure on the plantar fascia.
When Surgery is Needed
In some cases conservative management may not be enough and surgery is needed. Surgery is usually done to restore the normal structure of a severely fractured calcaneus.
Chronic heel spur conditions that causes significant pain or deformity may also need surgery when other treatments fail.
The decision for surgery depends on the severity of the heel injury and extent of soft tissue damage. Heel spurs which is often associated with chronic inflammation can greatly affect daily living and may need surgical removal.
Prevent Heel Pain in 4 Ways
Wearing shoes suitable for the activity like sneakers for exercise and boots for hiking can prevent heel pain. Supportive shoes that has cushioning and shock absorption in the heel area is essential for foot health.
Here are some preventive measures:
- Take good care of your bones through proper nutrition and avoid overuse.
- Be at a healthy weight to reduce foot pain.
- Don’t walk barefoot to avoid foot injuries that can cause heel pain.
- Make healthy lifestyle choices and be aware of your foot health to prevent heel pain.
Apply what you learned and make wise decisions about your health especially with heel pain.
