Heel Pain

Side view of a white woman's ankle and foot. The ball of her foot is on the ground and the heel is raised in the air. A pair of purple maroon leggings stop just above the ankle

Your heel is made up of fatty tissue which cushions and protects the heel bone (calcaneus)and other structures of the foot such as the additional muscles and ligaments. Your heel helps to shape the arch of your foot, and together, they both have an important role in ensuring that any forces exerted onto the foot (e.g. while you're walking, running or jumping) are distributed evenly to avoid placing too much strain on one area. 

Majority of us rely on our heels daily, so heel pain is a very common foot complaint. Many conditions that cause heel pain, are related to overuse, when extra strain is placed on the heel during exercise or repetitive daily activities. Pain can be felt on the bottom, side or back of your heel, depending on the condition you have developed. 

We've highlighted the most common causes of heel pain below. Click through for more information on each one, and to find out how we would treat the condition, or talk with one of our qualified Brisbane podiatrists directly. 

Common Causes of Heel Pain

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis occurs when your plantar fascia, the thick fibrous band of tissue in the bottom of the foot is placed under increased stress, causing painful inflammation. 

Stress Fracture

Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone (microfractures) that develop gradually overtime, usually due to overuse or repetitive activity that restricts the bone from healing.

Cracked Heels

A cracked heel are a common foot problem that occurs when dry, thick skin on the bottom of your heels cracks and splits. 

Plantar Warts

Warts are a growth on the skin that is caused by a viral infection. They are very contagious so you will usually pick them up in communal areas (such as swimming pools).  A wart that you find on the sole of your foot is officially called a plantar wart.

Sever's Disease

Sever's disease (calcaneal apophysitis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain in children and young adolescents, occurring from inflammation of the growth plate in the heel.   

Corns & Calluses

Corns & calluses are areas of thickened skin caused by pressure or friction. Calluses are not usually painful whereas a corn is smaller and has a painful "core" centre surrounded by inflamed skin.  

Blisters

A blister, or specifically a friction blister, is a fluid-filled sac enclosed by skin that develops on the outer layers of your skin in response to repetitive friction, usually caused by ill-fitting shoes.

Heel Spurs

Heel spurs (calcaneal spurs) are bony bumps of calcium deposits that form on the heel bone. They often result from long periods (months and years) of stress being placed on the tendons that attach to the heel bone.

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's Foot is a contagious fungal infection that affects the skin on your feet. This fungus causes the skin to become itchy, red and often flaky, particularly between the toes or on the soles of your feet.

Achilles Tendopanithy

Achilles tendinopathy is a degenerative condition thought to be caused by gradual wear and tear of the tendon, usually from overuse or ageing.

Are You Experiencing Pain Elsewhere?

Ankle pain


Foot & arch pain


Leg pain

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7 tips to keep your feet healthy this summer

The heat and humidity of an Australian summer makes it a prime time for issues to arise, so our newest podiatrist Lucy has put together seven helpful tips to keep your feet healthy and problem free throughout summer.

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