Heel Pain Causes

Heel pain is a common foot condition which leads to pain on the bottom of the heel. Excessive or extended weight bearing and pressure on the heel can be extremely painful.

What are the causes?

Plantar Fasciitis

Arch and heel pain are generally caused by a condition called Plantar Fasciitis, which occurs when the main ligament on the bottom of the foot between the heel and the ball of the foot becomes inflamed.

Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory condition caused by excessive strain to the plantar fascia of the foot. The plantar fascia is the thick, connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot. It originates at the heel and extends to the base of the toes.

The plantar fascia tightens and stretches each time the foot is used, and is highly prone to overuse, especially if the arch is not supported by proper footwear.

Heel Spurs

Heel spurs are frequently associated with acute heel pain. A heel spur, also known as a calcaneal spur, is an abnormal, nail-like growth of calcium at or around the tendons and ligaments of the foot where they attach to the heel.

Heel spurs occur most commonly in people over the age of forty. The condition can also be associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, poor circulation of the blood and other degenerative diseases.

Excessive stretching of the plantar fascia, also known as plantar fasciitis, can lead to arch pain, and heel spurs.