Having an acute, sudden pain in your heel can happen due to a variety of causes ranging from radiating arch pain to bone fractures and systemic diseases like arthritis. In some cases, heel pain can be intermittent and the source can be hard to trace as with plantar fasciitis. For the proper diagnosis and treatment, be sure to contact your foot doctor.
1) Heel fracture—Breaking a bone in the heel is often the result of an accident or fall. When the heel bone hits the ground hard while playing sports such as basketball and tennis, it can fracture from the impact, causing severe pain and debilitation.
2) Gouty arthritis—Gout is a painful joint condition that can appear suddenly in the big toe, hands, instep, ankle joint, and sometimes in the heel area. Gout is caused by excess uric acid in the blood that forms painful crystals in the joints when it reaches a high concentration. Alcohol and foods high in purines like organ meats are contributing factors to gout.
3) Cracking heel fissures—Large calluses that form on the heel can suddenly split open causing extreme pain, bleeding, and possible infection while also making walking very difficult.
4) Plantar Fasciitis—This is a common arch condition that has sudden heel pain as a primary symptom. The inflamed arch tissue radiates pain to the heel and bony heel spurs are also often present.
If you need help treating heel pain, contact your foot doctor for an evaluation. Dr. Scott Nelson of Foot and Ankle Medical Clinic in Garland, TX (county of Dallas), is a board-certified and highly experienced podiatrist who has helped people suffering from all types of foot and ankle injuries and deformities. From bunions to diabetic foot problems, sports injuries, and fungal nails, you can trust that Dr. Nelson and his staff are wholeheartedly devoted to your foot health. Please contact our office with any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment by calling 972-414-9800.
