What can cause heel pain?
ADVERTISEMENT

Q. What can cause heel pain?

Answered by
Dr. Akshay Kumar Saxena
and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.
This is a premium question & answer published on Apr 02, 2016 and last reviewed on: Jul 25, 2023

Hi doctor,

I am a 67-year-old male. I am overweight, mildly diabetic, and have a high BP. I have pain in the backside of my left heel. It increases in the evening. I think I have Achilles tendinitis. Please help.

#

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You have mentioned pain in your heel region. Also, you have stated that you are diabetic, hypertensive, and overweight. There are actually many causes of pain in the heel region, so it can be due to plantar fasciitis which is very common in your age group. It can be due to bony spurs causing recurrent inflammation. As you have stated it can also be due to Achilles tendonitis (Achilles tendinitis) which is an inflammatory condition at the site of attachment of the Achilles tendon. Also, sugar levels have to be kept under strict control because it can sometimes lead to cellulitis like a situation in which a patient experiences pain, swelling, local warmth, etc., and treatment is entirely different for it. So, the treatment depends upon the cause of the pain. Also kindly tell me whether there is any swelling or any other signs and symptoms of inflammation like skin discoloration or local warmth etc. Initially, if the pain is of recent origin with no other signs and symptoms of inflammation as written earlier, you can initiate with ice packs for local application at the tender site. Physical therapy especially ultrasonic for local application or laser therapy can be initiated. Take gentle painkillers like the tablet Ultracet (Tramadol hydrochloride and Acetaminophen) twice a day for three to five days. Shoe modification and avoidance of those activities which increase your pain. Do let me know how you are feeling in the next three to five days and revert back with your investigation reports and a clinical picture.

Thank you.


Investigations to be done:

1. Recent blood tests like CBC (complete blood count), ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), CRP (C-reactive protein) and serum uric acid.

2. X-ray ankle - lateral view.

3. A clinical picture showing exact site of pain and inflammation, so that the pathology can be estimated.

Differential diagnosis:

1. Achilles tendonitis (Achilles tendinitis).

2. Plantar Fasciitis.

3. Bony spurs.


Was this answer helpful?

 | 

Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!



Related Questions:
My daughter got hit on her head with a wooden swing. What to do?

.. is an injury around the eye, it may cause congestion in the eyes and secondary infection as well. She also needs analgesics. It is not a small injury to be treated only by ice packs. I suggest you try doing the following: Get an x-ray of the frontotem   Read full

Why am I having nosebleeds and dryness?

.. bleeds are due to dryness. Since you have iron deficiency you must be more careful. To stop nosebleeds pinch the nose for three minutes gently so that it gets occluded. Apply ice packs in either side of nose while keeping your nose pinched.   Read full

Are hair fall, skin infections, and overweight due to hypothyroidism?

A sedentary lifestyle may cause obesity ... Obesity, diabetes ...   Read full

Also Read Answers From:

ideaComprehensive Medical Second Opinion.Submit your Case

Also Read


PCOS and Liver Problems
The hormonal imbalances in polycystic ovary syndrome could cause liver diseases. Read the article to know the relationship between these medical conditions.  Read more»
Inferior Alveolar Nerve Lateralization Technique
The inferior alveolar nerve lateralization technique is a surgical lateralization technique to reposition the nerve. Read the article to know more about this.  Read more»
COVID-19 and Ebola: Similarities and Differences
This article gives a comparison and broader overview of the outbreak of the two deadliest diseases that showed a greater incidence over the last two decades.  Read more»

Ask your health query to a doctor online?

Ask an Orthopaedician & Traumatologist Now

* guaranteed answer within 4 hours.

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.