Heel Pain Has Many Causes

Heel pain can be caused by conditions that take time to develop, such as plantar fasciitis or heel fissures. It can also happen rapidly from an accidental foot or ankle injury. The symptoms and causes are many and varied, so be sure to see your foot care professional for the proper care.

Some of the many possible causes of heel pain include the following:

• Arthritis—When arthritis strikes, it often attacks the joints and bones in the feet, with the heel bone being a particularly painful location for it to occur.

• Heel bone fracture—While the heel bone is robust, it is subject to fracture from an accident or sports injury. A fractured heel is a severe injury, and the treatment and healing period is long. You can also suffer a hairline fracture to the heel bone that can be hard to locate and trace without your podiatrist's help.

• Calluses and heel fissures—Large, thick calluses can form on the heel, where they sometimes develop into painful heel fissures. These fissures can crack and bleed and be very painful while also being a possible avenue for microbial infection.

• Plantar fasciitis—While this starts as an arch injury, the problem often radiates to the heel area and can lead to the formation of debilitating heel spurs.

While minor heel pain can often be treated at home with rest, icing, and elevation, if the pain persists or is intermittent, you will need to see your foot doctor for relief. James C. Ricketti, DPM of Hamilton Square, NJ (in Mercer County), is a board-certified podiatrist providing state of the art diagnostic and treatment options for all types of foot and ankle injuries, diseases, and deformities. From hammertoes and bunions to diabetic foot problems and sports injuries, you can rest assured that Dr. Ricketti and his staff will get you back on your feet as fast as possible. Please contact our office with any questions or to schedule an appointment. Call 609-587-1674.