Heel Pain

Is Heel Pain Common?

Heel pain is a common condition of which there can be many causes, of which the most common is plantar fasciitis (historically called policeman’s heel). The plantar fascia is a thick band on the sole of the foot that originates from the heel bone and progresses towards the ball of the foot. Plantar fasciitis affects the origin of the fascia, around the heel, and produces pain upon rising first thing in the morning or after periods of rest which, usually, eases after ten to fifteen minutes of activity but can re-develop after periods of extended walking or standing. Plantar fasciitis can be a debilitating condition but in many cases can be resolved through non-surgical treatment.

Other Conditions That Affect The Heel

Other conditions affecting the heel include stress fractures, bone bruising, disruption of the fat pad of the heel, osteoporosis, soft tissue masses, gout, inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid, reactive, lupus), tumours (very rare) and nerve entrapment.

Investigations can include blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound scans and MRI