Heel pain

My 9 year old son has been complaining of heel pain. He plays sports. What could be casuing his pain?

Hi,
Read my section on "calcaneal apophysitis" as this is the primary source of pain in that age range. It will probably require medical care if you wish to eliminate the problem as quickly as possible.

Marc Mitnick DPM

heel and ankle pain

by John
(olympia wa. usa)

I shattered my right heel almost six years ago. I had recon. surgery on the heel. I have arthritis in my foot now and deal with pain every day to the point I do not want to do anything and cant sleep. I take two 7.5 hydrocondon pills every day but they do not seem to work that well. Is there something else I could be taking like a time release pain med that will mask the pain through out the day and night.

Hi John,
Why not ask your local pharmacist that same question. If there is, get the name of the drug and mention it to your doctor and see if he or she will give you a prescription.
Marc Mitnick DPM

pain in my heel and arch

by Gennette
(Catonsville, MD. USA)

I have shooting pain in the arch and heel of my left foot when I walk. It is also painful to stand and put weight on it at times. It flares up pariticularly when I have been on it or walked much. Yesterday I walked a possible 1/2 mile thru an airport and could hardly stand to put much weight on it just after. I tend to roll my foot outward when I walk to keep it from causing as much pain. Last night it started to shoot a pain up the inside side of the foot towards my ankle bone that woke me. That pain has continue every once in a while this morning. It is sore to push on the pad of the heel towards the top inside of it. It also hurts to push the side of my foot just before the arch starts. It does not hurt when I am sitting and just trying to stretch my foot and ankle (like flexing, pointing and rolling the ankle around). But it does hurt if I have weight on it and try the same stretch. I am a flight attendant and am on my feet a lot. This started about 3 weeks ago and I have tried to stay off my feet as much as possible and rest it but is seems to be getting worse.

Hi Gennette,
Sounds like you may have a heel neuroma (read my section on heel neuromas), as these will tend to hurt more, the more you walk.
I think it is also safe to say you also have plantar fasciitis as it is common for both conditions to occur at the same time.
Additionally, I would recommend an xray to rule out the possibility of a stress fracture in the heel.
Your problem does not seem like something you are going to be able to treat on your own, especially in your line of work, so your best bet would be to make an appointment with a local foot specialist and get a more specific diagnosis as well as some treatment.
Marc Mitnick DPM
Find a Podiatrist Near You

Foot, ankle, heel pain & swelling

by Sam
(Richmond, Va)

Five years ago I had an accident where I did compound farctures of both the tibula and the fibula, I dislocated the ankle and crushed the calcanious. After numerious surgeries I am walking pretty good. the question is this I have pain in the ankle, numbness in the second,third and fourth toes, swelling of the ankle and stinging and burning of the bottom of my foot by the end of a day. Will this ever get better and or go away. And what can I do for it?

Hi Sam,
The short answer is this. If the injury occurred five years ago, more than likely whatever residual problems you are presently having are probably here to stay.
I do not know if you ever had any kind of physical therapy, but you might want to discuss this with your doctor and let he or she decide if it would be beneficial. Generally speaking, physical therapy should occur shortly after the injury but even five years down the road you might derive some benefit.
Marc Mitnick DPM

sharp pain in my heel when I put my weight on it

by Leslie
(Hot Springs, ar)

I woke up and got out of bed and when I put my full weight on my heel. it was very tender and painful to walk. It was fine last night. What could be the problem. I have Plantar warts on both feet. Could that be part of the cause for the pain?

Hi Leslie,

Unless the warts are on the heel they would have no bearing on your heel pain.
Since the pain just started, I would wait to see if it continues. If it does you might want to make an appointment with a podiatrist to find the cause of the pain.

Marc Mitnick DPM

a pain in my left heel only when i put it on the ground

by Catherine Kiely
(Waterford)

I have this pain in my heel a while, before christmas I gave up running for about 9 weeks in order to see if it would be ok but in actual fact it got worse, I have thrown out a lot of shoes that I think may not help, I have a heel insole in my runner but psychologically I need to get rid of this pain as it does not go away.
When I get my nights sleep and wake most mornings the pain is gone but the minute I put my foot on the floor the pain shoots up -please help?

Hi Catherine,
Sounds like plantar fasciitis so read my section on "heel pain". There are things in the article that you can try, but in general if you have had the pain for this long a period of time, you may need to see a podiatrist, otherwise it may continue to worsen.
Marc Mitnick DPM

heel/ball of foot pain and some warmth in righ foot/calf

by Sara
(New York)

I broke my fourth and fifth metatarsal 10 weeks ago. I had percutaneous surgery on the fifth metatarsal and had a pin put in (the fourth metatarsal was a straight clean break and didn't need surgery). I had been in a boot and on crutches. The pin was removed a few weeks ago and I have been walking in the boot. Recently my heel/ball of foot has been hurting. Per the Dr. I purchased a pair of Skechers Shape Ups yesterday, and have begun to wear them. My heel/ball of foot is still hurting. And sometimes my foot and calf have warm/hot feelng. Is this normal? Why would my heel/ball of foot hurt if this wasn't even the part of my foot affected by the breaks?

Hi Sara,
The heel and ball of foot pain may just be from wearing the boot for so long, but I am a little concerned about the warm feeling in the calf. Call your doctor and make sure they are aware of the calf problem. One possible problem is the possibility of a phlebitis from having worn a cast for such a long time. The calf needs to be examined.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Pain in the heel of my foot

by Lauren
(Leeds, England )

Hi, the right side of my heel and inner side just randomly hurts when I walk on it, also hurts to touch. There is no bruising or swelling at all the heel looks completely normal. Any idea what could be causing it and what action I should take?

Hi Lauren,

When a patient tells me there is pain on the inside and outside of the heel and no pain on the bottom, two conditions come to mind: a heel neuroma or a bursitis.
These are 2 fairly common foot problems but not as common as plantarfasciitis.
Generally, both will get worse the more you walk, where plantarfasciitis generally hurts the most when you first start walking.
The only way to know for sure as to what is going on would be to see a foot specialist and get an accurate diagnosis.
Marc Mitnick DPM

pain in BOTTOM OUTSIDE HEEL when I bend forward

Sharp burning pain in BOTTOM OUTSIDE HEEL when I bend sharply forward without bending my knees. I can do calf stretches (leaning against wall with legs straight and heels on the ground) and even stair stretches (toes on edge of stair with heels lower supporting my entire weight) with no pain at all - as long as I don't bend sharply at the waist.

I've read a number of similar questions/answers that suggest Achilles tendon, but my pain in NOT in rear upper heal, but rather on the floor of the heel about an inch or more forward from the back of the heel. My Achilles tendon is not sore at all and has no bumps/lumps. Also seems like plantar fasciitis would cause pain with the stair stretches.

Comments?
Thanks,
Jack

Hi Jack,
The reason that the heel hurts is that many will argue that the plantarfascial ligament is an extension of the achilles tendon so this type of motion could affect the heel.
Taken a step further the fact that the pain only occurs when you bend at the waist suggests you are straining you hamstrings which in turn is straining the gastroc-soleus muscle complex resulting in stretching the achilles tendon and thus the plantarfascial ligament. (its the old foot bone is connected to the ankle bone song).
Before seeing a doctor, you might consider trying a half inch heel lift in both shoes and see if that helps.
Marc Mitnick DPM

burning unbearable heel pain

by Cindy Page
(Rochester Hills, MI. usa)

I have this problem at night, it will wake me up from a sound sleep. On a scale from 1 to 10, it is a 9. So bad I could cry. I have tried heat, ice, hot and icy cream, and nothing works. The pain usually last for about a 1/2 hour only after I take pain meds which I have for back pain due to several disc protrusions. My doctor says it is neuropathy. Sometimes it is both heels, other times just one. Please help or give me some ideas or possible diagnosis.

Thank you,
Cindy

Hi Cindy,
You do not mention where on the heel, but I will assume the back of the heel since you are sleeping and not walking.
If that is the case you more than likely have an inflamed bursitis on the back of the heel. It will take more than creams and heat to eradicate it; a trip to a podiatrist would be a good ides. BTW, it does not sound like neuropathy.
Marc Mitnick DPM

heel pain

I have been having heel pain now for almost 1 1/2 years on the right foot. The majority of the extreme pain is directly behind the heel and mild to sometimes moderate on the sides of my heel and mostly moderate to extreme directly underneath my heel. The pain is mostly when I walk or sit to long and get up to walk, or when I first get out of bed the pain is pretty extreme. Then goes away for a little while then comes back for the rest of the day, standing in one place for any length of time is extremely painful. As well as going up or down stairs. I have noticed in the last month or so that when I do walk because of the pain that I am walking on the right side of my foot, I am unable to walk normally. The pain is like a dull ache/burning sensation extremely uncomfortable.

Hi,

I think after 18 months of pain it may be time to seek professional care as it is clear this problem is not going away on its own and is probably making your life miserable.
Based on the information you have provided it sounds like you may have a heel spur/plantarfasciitis along with a heel neuroma which is why the pain is all over the heel and hurts the more you are on it.
Read my sections on those conditions and make an appointment with a podiatrist who will be able to administer treatment,
Marc Mitnick DPM

heel

I had surgery on lower my back in 2007 (Nov.) for a herniated disc impinging on a nerve root. I re-herniated the same disc (L4-L5) after a car accident almost one year ago. After the car accident, my doctor ordered an MRI of my back which confirmed his diagnosis of a second herniated disc. The MRI also showed a great deal of inflamation and scar tissue. Recently, I've noticed a circular red "splotch" on the back of my left heel...the pain in my back always occurs on the left side as well. Along with the red "splotch," the heel of my foot is completely numb. Somebody could stick a needle into the heel of my foot and I would honestly feel nothing! Do you have any idea what this coul be, and further more, could it be associated with my back injuries?

Thank you!

Lauren

Hi Lauren,
Injuries to the lower back can cause numbness in certain areas of the foot as that is where the nerves originate from.
I would not be surprised if the "red blotch" is an inflamed bursitis on the back of the heel as a result of you shoe rubbing on the area and you not noticing it because of the numbness.
You would be wise to consult with a podiatrist in your area to check to see if there is a connection between your back issues and your foot.
Marc Mitnick DPM

left foot heal pain, toes numb and top of foot hurts painful to walk

by joyce
(london.ky)

have had left foot pain over 1 year,with treatment but no better. i felt a painful pop on top of my foot just above big toe then the inside of big toe and toe next to it went numb, feeling still numb,occassional ball of foot pain, and bad pain on top of my foot about the third and fourth toe about half way up foot. it is very painful to walk, it hurts all day and night, i walk with a limp and in pain every day. i have had injections,shoe inserts made and a foot brace which i use both every day or the pain would be much worse.i have had 2 xrays though both have been over 6 months ago. i have been to a foot specialist and neurologist and will be returning soon. can u reccommend any questions that i might ask my doctors that may help with finding and helping my pain?

thank you for your time

jm

Hi Joyce,
The first thing I would recommend would be an MRI and no further injections until an accurate diagnosis has been made.
Based on where you felt the "pop" I am surprised you are having pain in all the places you mention. The pain on the bottom of the foot could be a compensatory type pain due to a change in the way you are now walking.
A pop followed by numbness would be suggestive of nerve damage, but I have never heard of a nerve popping; usually it is a tendon that pops.
Without examining you, this is a tough one to guess. Go have an MRI.

Marc Mitnick DPM

Pain on outside of heel below ankle, around outside of ankle, and contraction of arches.

by Yuri
(Dallas, TX )

Hi,

Last October I decided to do barefoot running. I was wearing orthodics. The person who taught the barefoot running class was a PT. She wanted to screen my movements prior to me taking her barefoot running class, so I had to go to her motion body class. I let her know that I was wearing orthodics. Prior to her barefoot class I had never had any injuries/accidents/trauma to my feet/ankles. I went to two of her body motion classes. She noticed that I was not able to keep my balance on my left foot when I rotated in or out in an exercise. She even adjusted my foot while we were doing the exercise in class.

After two body motion classes, I took her barefoot running class Saturday morning and by evening, I could not put any weight on my heel. I was in a lot of pain. I called her. She stated over the phone that I had pulled the ligaments and tendons in my left foot. She didn't have any openings and would not be able to see me until 2 weeks out. She told me to RICE my foot until she could get me in.

I called a Kinesologist who saw me that following Monday.
One year after, I still have pain after I run. My arches contract at the end of my long runs. I have pain on the outside of my heel right under my ankle ,as well as, below the ankle and on top of my foot around the ankle. He has helped me to run on the outside of my feet (supine).

I have gone back just recently to using orthodics because running has become more painful. The orthodics have helped with the plantar fascia. They have lessened the pain with my first steps in the morning.

I love to run but it has become painful. Any suggestions?

Hi Yuri,
I have said this before on this site. I personally feel running barefoot is the most moronic thing anyone can do to themselves. Its the same notion as not driving a car but riding a horse instead. What's the point?
Anyway, if you happen to have the "perfect foot" then maybe running barefoot might be alright (except you still have to deal with the prospect of stepping on broken glass, etc.), but very few people have the "perfect foot" and that is why specialized running shoes and orthotics were invented; they make up for the deficiencies in a particular foot structure.
So....now that you have all this pain, I would suggest you see a local podiatrist and perhaps have some physical therapy, get your feet to stop hurting and then continue running with orthotcs.

Marc Mitnick DPM
Find a Podiatrist Near You

Heel Pain

by Karen
(Bozeman, MT)

I was diagnosed with Plantar Faciliitis over a year ago. I had 3 cortizone shots in each foot, electric shock therapy on both feet, acupuncture, Graston Therapy and now my regular doctor thinks I do not have PF.

He prescribed B12 injections every day and that took my pain from a 14 down to between 2-3, depending on the day.

It feels like I have a cup surrounding my heel. It is very painful and I have had to stop aerobics and hiking.

I do have bone spurs but this is a different kind of pain. Could it be the sheath that covers the Plantar Faciliitis??

Hi Karen,
Your symptoms seem to suggest a heel neuroma or possibly a heel bursitis. Most of the "junk" you read on the internet suggests all pain is strictly from plantar fasciitis/heel spur and the truth of the matter is most of the patients I see will have an associated nerve entrapment or heel bursitis. (read my sections on these topics).

In most long term cases of heel pain that do not seem to be resolving themselves I usually like to have an MRI done to make sure there is nothing else going on. Assuming an MRI is normal you might want to consider a round of Physical Therapy as well. I am also making the assumption that you are wearing orthotics as well.
Marc Mitnick DPM