Heel
pain can be due to a number of different conditions. The purpose of this
page is to summarize those conditions and provide links to each condition.
Each step that we take applies a phenomenal load to the
heel. Consider the fact that in a simple slow walk, the load applied to
the heel can be more than twice our body weight. If we increase the speed of our walk, take bigger steps or
jump, the load applied to the heel at heel strike is significantly increased. This load may be more than three times our body weight. And consider how many times this loading occurs in the course of a normal day. Step after step, over and over again. The ability of the heel to sustain these loads without developing heel pain is quite incredible.
The following is a list of links to pages on Myfootshop.com that discuss specific types of heel pain.
Plantar heel pain
Baxter's nerve entrapment - dull pain on the bottom of the heel.
Bursitis - dull achy pain on the bottom of the heel that increases with the duration of time spent on your feet.
Plantar fasciitis - sharp tearing pain on the bottom of the heel when first standing.
Heel spur syndrome - sharp plantar heel pain.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome - a nerve entrapment of the medial heel.
Posterior heel pain
Achilles tendonitis - sharp posterior heel pain when first starting to run.
Bursitis
- dull achy posterior heel pain.
Calcaneal stress fractures - dull achy heel pain that increases with the duration of time on the heel.
Gout - although more common to the forefoot, gout can strike the back of the heel.
Haglund's Deformity - posterior heel exostosis.
Sever's disease - heel pain common to 8-12 y/o boys.
Other heel pain
Sinus
tarsi syndrome - pain found in the body of the heel.
Peripheral vascular disease - ischemic heel pain.
