What's Causing Your Heel Pain?

It’s frustrating when you’re slowed down by a problem with a part of your body you rarely think about: your heel. Yet heel pain is one of the most common foot problems that Dr. Kerry Berg treats here at Intermountain Foot & Ankle Associates in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

Your foot is a complex and amazing machine. With more than 50 bones and joints in each foot, Dr. Berg works diligently to determine what’s causing your symptoms so she can treat the root cause of your heel pain, which may be caused by any of the following common conditions.

Plantar fasciitis

A thick band of elastic tissue called the plantar fascia ligament runs the full distance from your heel to your toes. When it gets inflamed from overstretching, you can suffer with plantar fasciitis. Symptoms include stabbing pain in your heel and heel pain with first movements after inactivity, like your first steps out of bed in the morning.

Achilles tendonitis

Overuse of the Achilles tendon from certain movements (like jumping) causes it to flare up and cause these problems:

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic attack on your joints. A reported 90% of people who have the chronic disease say the pain is more prevalent in their hands and feet. Some of the signs of the autoimmune condition are joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in your joints.

Bone spurs

Damage in your heel joints from osteoarthritis or other degenerative conditions causes your body’s innate healing mechanisms to rush to the scene and add new bone material to your existing bones, forming bone spurs. The unnecessary add-on bone leads to:

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Compression of your foot’s posterior tibial nerve from injuries, bone spurs, or tendon inflammation lead to:

Stress fracture

Strenuous exercise or repetitive overuse can stress the heel bone and cause it to fracture. Symptoms include:

Help for heel pain

Depending on the cause of your heel problem, Dr. Berg customizes a treatment plan to relieve your pain and restore your mobility. Some of the therapies we offer include:

Get started with your heel pain therapy at Intermountain Foot & Ankle Associates. Call the office now or book an appointment online.

You Might Also Enjoy...

How Your Weight Impacts Your Foot Health

If you’re overweight, you might experience foot and ankle pain more often than the average person. This is a common problem for people struggling with weight management. Here’s why it happens, and what you can do about it.

Dangers of Ignoring a Slow-Healing Wound

The most important thing you can do to keep small wounds from becoming more serious is to treat them as soon as possible. Slow-healing wounds can quickly threaten your health, but a wound care specialist can help you get well.

How to Prevent Foot and Ankle Fails on the Ski Slopes

Colorado’s winter slopes attract visitors from far and wide, and for good reason: They offer lots of opportunities for winter sports. If you’ll be skiing or snowboarding this winter, here’s what you can do to prevent getting injured.

What Are Corns and How Do They Impact Your Foot Health?

Corns are painful, but that’s not the worst of it. When you have corns on your feet, they could lead to significant foot issues, especially if you have diabetes or other underlying conditions. Here’s what to do if you have a corn.

5 Tips for Runners to Prevent Black Toenails

Black toenail injuries are common among high-intensity runners, distance runners, or those who increase their mileage rapidly. Find out what causes “runner’s toe,” and learn simple strategies to help you overcome and avoid the problem.