Visit Our Las Vegas Podiatrist and Imagine Life Without Heel Pain
You have been pain free before. You will be pain free again. With over two decades of experience, Las Vegas podiatrist Dr. Pardis Kelly has guided people just like you back to that pain-free life. Ready to get started on the road to recovery? Book your appointment now.
What Causes Heel Pain?
You ask a lot of your feet. They carry you all day, keep you active, and even don the latest fashions. As a result, they’re vulnerable to pain.
Common causes of heel and foot pain include:
- Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the tissue (plantar fascia) that connects the heel bone to the toes, causing sharp pain in the heel.
- Flat Feet: Collapse of the arches in the feet, redistributing stress to the heel and contributing to heel pain.
- High Arches: Excessive arch height leading to poor shock absorption, potentially causing heel pain and discomfort.
- Achilles Tendonitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, the connection between the calf muscles and the heel bone, resulting in pain and stiffness.
- Heel Spurs: Bony protrusions caused by calcium deposits on the heel bone, often associated with plantar fasciitis and causing intermittent or chronic pain.
- Stress Fractures: Tiny cracks in the heel bone due to repetitive stress or overuse, resulting in gradual onset pain, swelling, and tenderness.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa sac, a cushioning structure near the heel bones, leading to pain and swelling in the back of the heel.
- Nerve Entrapment: compression or pinching of the nerves, leading to pain, tingling, or numbness in the heel
- Muscle Imbalances: Some types of foot and heel pain result from muscle imbalances or overuse. Other types may result from wearing tight-fitting, unsupportive, or high-heeled shoes. Heel pain at the bottom of your foot is likely due to inflammation of the plantar fascia or heel spurs.
Risk Factors for Heel Pain
Anyone can experience an injury that causes heel or foot pain. But, certain things put you at greater risk of suffering an issue. These include:
- Tight calf muscles
- Having very high arches or flat foot
- Participation in activities that put a lot of stress on your heel, such as running
- Jobs that keep you on your feet, like teaching and factory work
- A recent increase in your activity level
- Carrying excess body weight can also put stress on your heels and feet, making you more likely to suffer foot or heel pain.
What You Can Expect From an Appointment
A thorough evaluation of your health history and life circumstances. Most likely, an X-ray of your feet will be taken so Dr. Kelly can see how your bone structure may be contributing to your pain. She may consider an MRI, depending on what she finds from the X-ray. She may also recommend orthotics to you.
