Heel pain can be hard, if not impossible, to ignore, but the only way to really treat heel pain is to address the root cause.
Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs are common causes of chronic heel pain, but our team of board-certified podiatrists knows they aren’t the only potential causes.
Here at Manhattan Podiatry Associates, PC, in Midtown and Downtown Manhattan, we treat common and not-so-common causes of heel pain. If you’re struggling with chronic pain, don’t hesitate to reach out.
In the meantime, here are eight lesser-known causes of chronic heel pain.
Often overshadowed by plantar fasciitis, Baxter's nerve entrapment involves compression of your inferior calcaneal nerve, which is the first branch of your lateral plantar nerve.
If this nerve becomes compressed, it can lead to chronic heel pain, tingling, and numbness. It's responsible for 20% of cases of heel pain, making it the second most common cause of heel pain after plantar fasciitis.
You’ve likely heard of carpal tunnel syndrome in your wrist. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is similar. Both conditions involve the compression of a nerve. In this case, though, it’s the posterior tibial nerve in your ankle that’s compressed.
About 43% of people with tarsal tunnel syndrome have a history of ankle trauma, such as ankle sprains.
Reactive arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can cause inflammation in various joints, including those in your feet. Chronic heel pain may be a manifestation of reactive arthritis, especially where your tendon meets your bone (enthesitis).
While often associated with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy can also result from other underlying conditions. Nerve damage in your feet can lead to chronic heel pain.
The fat pad in your heel serves as a natural cushion, but unfortunately, it can waste away (atrophy) over time. Also known as heel fat pad syndrome, this condition can develop from weight gain, trauma to your fat pad, repetitive activities, gait imbalance, and wearing inappropriate footwear.
Stress fractures in your heel bone (aka your calcaneus) can be a source of persistent heel pain. These fractures may develop gradually over time due to repetitive stress, and imaging tests such as X-rays can confirm their presence. Long-distance runners, dancers, and soccer players are most at risk for calcaneal stress fractures.
Other types of calcaneal fractures include compound fractures and avulsion fractures. Unlike stress fractures, these may occur more suddenly.
Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus can manifest with joint pain, including chronic heel pain.
Rarely, a calcaneal bone cyst may be the source of your heel pain. They occur only at a rate of 2-3%, and while they're benign, surgery may be considered to help maintain the integrity of your bone.
Diagnosing heel pain requires a physical exam, a review of your symptoms, and in some cases, imaging tests, such as X-rays. Our team utilizes advanced technology like the Esaote O-Scan MRI when possible to help make the most accurate diagnosis 一 especially when working with less common causes of heel pain.
Once the source of your pain is confirmed, our team creates a treatment plan to help eliminate your pain. Depending on the underlying cause, you may benefit from extracorporeal shock wave treatment, pulse dye laser, gait analysis, custom orthotics, physical therapy, medication, or lifestyle modifications.
Help for your foot pain is just a call or click away. Schedule your appointment with our team today!
