Heel Pain Treatment

Why Does My Heel Hurt?

The heel bone is the largest of the 26 bones in the human foot, supporting a massive network of over 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Because of the immense pressure it endures daily, heel pain is incredibly common. It is most generally the result of faulty biomechanics—meaning an abnormality in the way you walk—that places far too much stress on the heel bone and its attached soft tissues.

Plantar Fasciitis: The Morning Pain

The most frequent culprit of severe heel pain is Plantar Fasciitis. This is an inflammation of the thick band of fibrous connective tissue (the fascia) that runs along the bottom of your foot from the heel to the ball. When this tissue is strained beyond its normal extension, micro-tears develop.

If you experience a sharp, stabbing pain when taking your very first steps out of bed in the morning, you likely have plantar fasciitis. While resting provides temporary relief, the pain aggressively returns after prolonged sitting or extensive walking.

Heel Spurs & Excessive Pronation

When the plantar fascia is subjected to chronic, long-term strain, your body may try to protect the area by building extra bone. This creates a heel spur—a bony growth on the underside of the heel bone that can extend forward by as much as half an inch.

These mechanical issues are heavily aggravated by excessive pronation. Pronation is the normal inward rolling motion of your foot when you walk. However, excessive pronation forces your arch to flatten drastically, creating a devastating stretching and pulling force on the heel's ligaments. To permanently resolve this, Dr. Soltani frequently utilizes custom foot orthotics to correct your arch and eliminate the tension causing the pain.

Frequently Asked Questions