Heel pain is one of the most common complaints from patients. While heel spurs may or may not show up on an x-ray, the spurs themselves are a result of the actual problem: plantar fasciitis.

Your heels are the largest bones in each of your feet. They are linked to dozens of connective tissues, bones, and joints, pain can stem from a variety of issues. You may have heel pain because of:

• Arthritis
• Heel spurs
• Neuropathy
• Bone bruise
• Plantar fasciitis
• Stress fractures
• Achilles tendonitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Your heel pain may also just be a side effect of your inherited foot mechanics. For example, if you have fallen arches (flat feet) or overly high arches, you can develop abnormalities with your gait, which can lead to heel pain. 

Plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the connective tissue that stretches from the base of the toes to where it attaches to the heel bone. Symptoms include stiffness and tightness in the back of the leg and bunion joint, along with an uneven gait. Heel pain is often the first sign of plantar fasciitis.

A heel spur is a calcium deposit that forms where your plantar fascia or Achilles tendon connects to your heel. Over time, Achilles tendinitis and plantar fasciitis can cause tears where the bone spur forms.

This ailment occurs when the plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of the foot develops tears in the tissue. This will result in pain and inflammation of the area closest to the heel bone.
The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:

• Burning
• Stabbing
• Aching pain in the heel of the foot