HomeAnswersOrthopedician and Traumatologyheel painI suspect having Achilles tendinitis. Please help.

What can cause heel pain?

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At April 2, 2016
Reviewed AtFebruary 16, 2024

Patient's Query

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.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Akshay Kumar Saxena
Dr. Akshay Kumar Saxena

Orthopedician and Traumatology

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Orthopedician and Traumatology

*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.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy