Heel Pain Causes

Heel pain is a common affliction that affects many of us. At times, heel pain is caused by a complete body illness like arthritis or gout, but mostly, heel pain is caused by a condition in the foot itself. Some of the most common causes that lead to heel pain are as follow:
• Plantar fasciitis: This is the most common and leading cause of heel pain. When the tight tissues that form the arch of your food get inflamed, due to constant standing or walking, it can lead to heel pain.
•Heel Spur: If plantar fasciitis is ignored long enough, it can lead to an abnormal growth of bone where the muscles attached themselves to the heel bone.
• Tarsal tunnel Syndrome: Very similar to the carpel tunnel syndrome where a nerve in the hand gets pinched and causes pain, the tarsal tunnel syndrome is heel pain caused by a pinched nerve.
• Achilles tendonitis: This is caused by the inflammation of the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendons are prone to inflammation due to overuse or excessive exercise.
• Pump Bump: This heel pain is caused by an abnormal growth of a bone at the back of the foot.
• Bursitis: The bursa is a sac that lines many joints and allows tendons and muscles to move easily when the joint is moving. When this sac gets inflamed, it causes heel pain.
• Calcaneal apophysitis: When the center of the heel bone becomes irritated as a result of a new shoe or increased athletic activity, it causes heel pain.

Considering that a foot pain can be caused by such a large variety of causes, it is important that you get it diagnosed by a medical professional as soon as possible. You need to accurately describe the type of pain you are experiencing and the exact location of your pain. The method of diagnosing a heel pain includes:
• Evaluation of your gait when you are barefoot
• Examination of your feet for tenderness, swelling, discoloration, muscle weakness and decreased range of motion.
• A neurological examination that tests the strength, sensation and reflexes of your foot.