The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. The condition occurs when the connective tissue (the plantar fascia) joining your heel bone and forefoot becomes irritated and inflamed. 

Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing heel pain that’s most intense as you first start walking in the morning. The pain starts at the back of your heel, but may even affect your entire foot arch.

Plantar fasciitis is a repetitive injury, meaning that repeated pressure and stress on the plantar fascia triggers the condition. Many factors can contribute to it, including extra weight, frequent exercise involving the heel, standing for long periods, and your unique foot mechanics. 

There are also other causes of heel pain, including:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Calcaneal (heel bone) fractures 
• Sever’s disease
• Haglund’s deformity (pump bump) 
• Paget’s disease of bone
• Osteomyelitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Excessive inward motion when walking (excessive pronation)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Bursitis
• Bone bruise

At Align Foot & Ankle, Dr. Ho-Ellsworth can diagnose your heel pain and its root cause. Then, she can provide a targeted care plan to ease your symptoms.