What is heel pain?
Heel pain is discomfort centered on the underside, back, or side of the heel bone, and it is one of the most common reasons people visit a podiatrist. It can range from a dull ache after a long day on your feet to a sharp, stabbing pain with every step. Because the heel absorbs the shock of nearly every stride you take, even a small amount of irritation there can make walking, standing, and exercising genuinely difficult.
Heel pain is not a single condition — it's a symptom that can come from several different sources in and around the heel. The most common underlying cause is plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, but heel spurs, arthritis, direct injury, and tendon irritation can all produce similar symptoms. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the key to effective treatment, since each of these causes responds to a different approach.
What are the symptoms of heel pain?
Symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause, but most people describe an ache, throb, or sharp pain localized to the heel that worsens with activity or after rest. Common signs include:
- Pain on the bottom, side, or back of the heel
- Stiffness or sharp pain with your first steps in the morning
- Pain that builds throughout the day with standing or walking
- Swelling, warmth, or tenderness around the heel
- Pain that flares after exercise or a change in activity level
If your pain is sharpest with your first steps after waking, that pattern is especially characteristic of plantar fasciitis — see our plantar fasciitis guide for a closer look at that specific condition.
What causes heel pain, and who is at risk?
Heel pain typically comes from one of a handful of common sources, each with its own cause and treatment path.
- Heel spurs — a calcium deposit that builds up on the underside of the heel bone. Heel spurs can vary in size and are generally considered quite painful, often developing alongside long-term strain on the plantar fascia.
- Arthritis of the foot — inflammation of the joints in and around the foot, which can cause heel pain either directly or indirectly by changing the way you walk.
- Heel injuries — direct trauma from improper foot placement during walking or running, which can range from bruising to a stress fracture of the heel bone.
- Tendonitis — inflammation or irritation of the tendons around the heel, including the Achilles tendon, which can cause pain that is felt locally or referred elsewhere in the foot.
- Plantar fasciitis — the most frequent cause of heel pain, caused by irritation of the plantar fascia; learn more on our plantar fasciitis page.
Runners and other athletes, people who are overweight, and anyone who spends long hours standing or walking on hard surfaces face a higher risk of developing heel pain. Because Achilles tendon problems and flat feet both change the way load travels through the heel, they are common contributing factors as well.
How do we diagnose heel pain?
We diagnose heel pain with a hands-on physical exam, a review of your symptoms, and a discussion of your activity level and footwear. Your podiatrist will locate the exact point of tenderness, check your range of motion, and evaluate your gait to understand where the extra strain is coming from.
In some cases we order imaging such as an X-ray to look for a heel spur, stress fracture, or arthritic changes in the joint. Because several different conditions can cause similar symptoms, a clear diagnosis is essential to choosing the treatment that will actually resolve your pain.
How is heel pain treated?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, but most heel pain responds well to conservative care started early. We generally begin with the least invasive options and escalate only if pain persists.
Conservative treatment
- Icing and pain management — reducing swelling with ice and an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen
- Physical therapy — targeted stretching and gait modification to reduce unnecessary stress on the heel while it heals
- Custom shoes or inserts — orthopedic support that reduces heel stress and helps prevent future problems; see our custom orthotics options
- Heel injections — a steroid injection to manage pain and swelling when other conservative methods haven't been enough
In-office & advanced options
For heel pain that doesn't improve with first-line care, we offer advanced in-office treatments designed to help you avoid open surgery. If you've been dealing with heel pain that just won't heal, our in-office heel pain procedure page walks through what an advanced, minimally invasive option looks like and whether it may be right for you.
What is recovery from heel pain like?
Most heel pain improves steadily with consistent conservative care, though the timeline depends on the underlying cause and how long you've had symptoms. Sticking with your stretching routine, wearing supportive footwear, and easing back into activity gradually all help prevent the pain from returning.
Doing too much too soon is the most common reason heel pain lingers or comes back. If you move on to an in-office or advanced treatment, we'll give you specific aftercare guidance so you know exactly what to expect at each stage of recovery.
When should you see a podiatrist for heel pain?
The sooner a podiatrist can evaluate and treat your heel pain, the less chance it has of getting worse. See a podiatrist if your heel pain lasts more than a week or two despite home care, limits your normal activities, or keeps returning. Seek care sooner if you have significant swelling, numbness, signs of infection, or heel pain following a specific injury.
People with diabetes or circulation problems should have any new foot or heel pain evaluated promptly. When you're ready, you can request an appointment at either of our Northern Utah offices.
Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute is a locally rooted podiatry practice serving Farmington, South Ogden, and the surrounding Davis and Weber County communities. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians focus exclusively on the foot and ankle, so we can pinpoint exactly which of the many possible causes is behind your heel pain.
That focus lets us offer the full range of heel pain treatment under one roof — from custom orthotics and physical therapy to advanced in-office procedures — so your care can move forward without a referral elsewhere. We treat patients from both of our clinics; learn more about our Farmington and South Ogden locations or call the office nearest you.
Medically reviewed by the physicians at Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained podiatrists provide foot and ankle care in Farmington and South Ogden, Utah. This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an in-person evaluation.
