What causes heel pain?

St. Joseph's/Candler Podiatrist Dr. Prianka Sharma explains plantar fasciitis and why women are prone to heel pain

Heel pain can affect both men and women, but women tend to be the ones who seek specialized care from a podiatrist. This is only partially explained by the statistics that show women generally go to a doctor earlier and more often than men. There are also biological and lifestyle factors.

“Many of my patients are middle-aged women who experienced weight gain during their pregnancy and now have an increased load on their feet,” explains Prianka Sharma, DPM, of St. Joseph’s/Candler Physician Network – Podiatry. “I can attest to this personally. I never had plantar fasciitis until I was pregnant.”

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel bone to the ball of the foot. It is the most common cause of heel pain. Often, the pain from the inflammation is most concentrated where the band of tissue inserts into the heel bone.

Another culprit of plantar fasciitis is the way that many women’s shoes are made for style, not support.

“Frankly, our shoe gear is mostly terrible,” Dr. Sharma says. “Most of the time, if you want to wear nice shoes—if you want to look really cute and confident—you probably have to sacrifice support and comfort.”

New shoes and new situations—such as a new job or exercise routine—typically trigger the acute inflammation of plantar fasciitis. Early treatment is best to avoid the condition from becoming chronic.

“Most people don’t have the option to be off of their feet all day,” Dr. Sharma says. “That’s why we have to try to break the cycle of inflammation.”

The good news from Dr. Sharma is that plantar fasciitis is highly treatable.

“About 97 percent of patients recover using conservative, non-surgical methods,” she says. “Along with rest, there are special orthotics and footwear, targeted exercises and stretching, medications and more that will help relieve the inflammation and make the pain go away.”