Heel pain is a common foot problem. The pain usually occurs under the heel or just behind it, where the Achilles tendon connects to the heel bone. Sometimes it can affect the side of the heel. Pain that occurs under the heel is known as plantar fasciitis. This is the most common cause of heel pain.
Pain behind the heel is Achilles tendinitis. Pain can also affect the inner or outer side of the heel and foot. In most cases, pain is not caused by an injury. At first, it is usually mild, but it can become severe and sometimes disabling. It usually disappears without treatment, but sometimes it can persist and become chronic.
Causes: include arthritis, infection, an autoimmune problem, trauma, or a neurological problem. Causes: Heel pain is not usually caused by a single injury, such as a twist or fall, but from repetitive stress and pounding of the heel.
Common causes include Plantar fasciitis, or inflammation of the plantar fascia: The plantar fascia is a strong bowstring-like ligament that runs from the calcaneum (heel bone) to the tip of the foot.
This type of pain often happens because of the way the foot is made, for example, if the arches are especially high or low.
