One of the most common causes of heel pain syndrome is Plantar Fasciitis. This can be associated with heel spurs, heel bursitis and sometimes achilles heel pain more commonly known as Achilles Tendonitis or Achilles Tendinopathy. Some people may complain of sharp heel pain. In these situations, we need to consider the possibility of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Your Podiatry Care podiatrist can test for this.
WHAT CAUSES PAIN IN THE HEEL OF THE FOOT?
There is a large ligament that exists under the sole of the foot. It starts at the heel bone and inserts into the ball of the foot. Any circumstances which cause excessive traction or pulling on this ligament cause the ligament to separate from the heel, fibre by fibre. Gradual tearing of this ligament leads to inflammation. A bone spur may form if this injury continues causing calcium to be deposited near the heel in an attempt to “glue” the detached fibres back onto the heel. The bone spur itself has no nerve endings and doesn’t hurt, however, this may be a sign that the painful inflammation has been present for quite some time.
Inflammation of this plantar fascial ligament is called Plantar Fasciosis or more commonly known as Plantar Fasciitis or Plantar Fasciosis. This is what causes pain in most cases.
