Causes and Treatments for Numb Painful Heels

Understanding Numb Heel Pain

Having a numb sensation in your heel accompanied by pain can be alarming. But while concerning, numbness and pain in the heel does not necessarily mean you have a serious medical condition.

There are many potential causes of numb heel pain, some relatively minor. Getting an accurate diagnosis is important to determine the right treatment approach.

What Causes Numb Painful Heels?

Some of the more common reasons for numb, painful heels include:

• Plantar Fasciitis - Inflammation of the thick tissue running across the bottom of the foot. A common cause of heel pain.
• Heel Spurs - Calcium deposits that develop on the heel bone, causing pain under the heel.
• Achilles Tendinitis - Swelling of the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle leading to pain and numbness.
• Arthritis - Osteoarthritis of the foot or ankle joints can contribute to heel numbness and pain.
• Nerve Compression - Pressure on nerves in the lower leg or foot may cause radiating numbness into the heel area.
• Heel Fat Pad Atrophy - Thinning of the fat pad under the heel bone, leading to painful pressure sensations.
• Bursitis - Inflammation of small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) around the ankle joint.
• Diabetes - Neuropathy and poor circulation from diabetes can cause numbness and foot pain.

Less common causes include bone fractures, bone spurs, heel bumps (Haglund's deformity), tarsal tunnel syndrome, infections, or blood clots. Numb heel pain can also result from trauma, overuse injuries, or exercising on hard surfaces.

Is it Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one condition that should be evaluated as a potential cause of numb painful heels. MS is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system and can cause nerve damage.

Numbness or tingling in the feet - also described as paresthesia - is one of the most common early symptoms of MS. This numbness is caused by lesions on nerves in the central nervous system that interrupt sensations traveling to and from the feet.

Heel pain can also occur with MS if nerve signals controlling muscle tone and joint position become disrupted. The numbness and pain may come and go. It can affect one or both feet.

While MS should be considered, there are many other more likely explanations for heel numbness and pain that a doctor will evaluate first. MS-related foot numbness can also manifest in other areas like the toes and soles of the feet.

When to See a Doctor

You should make an appointment with your doctor if:

• Numbness and pain in your heel is persistent or worsening
• Symptoms disrupt your daily activities
• You have numbness/tingling in other areas besides your heel
• You have a history of diabetes, arthritis, or other medical conditions
• Your heel is red, swollen, or hot to the touch
• Home treatments like ice, rest, new shoes dont help

Seeking prompt medical attention is recommended if you experience sudden numbness, loss of sensation, or inability to move your foot normally. These may be signs of a more serious issue requiring emergency care.

Getting a Diagnosis

To diagnose the cause of numb painful heels, doctors may:

• Discuss Medical History - Ask about existing conditions, medications, injury, overuse, exercise routines, and timing of symptom onset.
• Conduct a Physical Exam - Check for foot and ankle swelling, deformities, decreased sensation, and signs of poor circulation.
• Order Imaging Tests - X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI can help identify bone spurs, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and soft tissue problems.
• Order Blood Work - Blood tests may reveal nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, gout, or autoimmune disorders.
• Refer to a Neurologist - For suspected neurological causes like MS, peripheral neuropathy, or nerve compression syndromes.

Based on your test results, your doctor will determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Home Treatments for Numb Painful Heels

For mild or moderate heel numbness and pain, home care techniques may help provide relief and improve symptoms. Options include:

• Resting your feet and limiting activity that aggravates symptoms.
• Icing your heels for 10-15 minutes several times per day.
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like NSAIDs to reduce inflammation.
• Wearing cushioned shoes with good arch support.
• Doing foot and lower leg stretches and exercises to improve flexibility.
• Using orthotic shoe inserts to support the arch and cushion the heel.
• Trying a night splint to keep your foot flexed while sleeping.
• Elevating your legs above heart level to improve circulation.

Give home treatments several weeks to improve mild heel numbness. See your doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.

Medical Treatments for Numb Painful Heels

If at-home care does not relieve your heel pain and numbness, your doctor may recommend:

• Prescription Medications - Anti-inflammatory drugs, topical numbing creams, or steroid injections can treat inflammation and pain.
• Physical Therapy - Stretching, strengthening exercises, ultrasound, massage, and other techniques help manage symptoms.
• Orthotics - Custom shoe inserts provide targeted arch support and pressure relief.
• Night Splints - Devices worn while sleeping keep the foot flexed to reduce morning stiffness and pain.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy - Sound waves pulsed into the heel stimulate healing and reduce pain signals.
• Surgery - If conservative treatments fail, procedures to release the plantar fascia or remove bone spurs may be warranted.

Your doctor will tailor treatment based on examination findings and test results to target the specific cause of your numb painful heel.

Preventing Numb Painful Heels

While not always possible to prevent heel numbness and pain, the following tips may help reduce your risk:

• Wear supportive, well-fitted shoes.
• Gradually increase activity levels and intensity when exercising.
• Maintain a healthy weight to avoid excess pressure on feet.
• Treat any foot deformities like high arches or flat feet.
• Warm up calves and stretch lower legs before exercise.
• Use proper running technique when jogging.
• Consider shoe orthotics or heel cushioning inserts.
• Get sufficient calcium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients.

Also controlling any medical conditions that can contribute to neuropathy or nerve damage, like diabetes or vascular disease, may help reduce the risk of developing numb painful heels.

The Takeaway

If you have persistent heel numbness accompanied by pain, make an appointment with your doctor for proper evaluation and diagnosis. While multiple sclerosis is one possible cause, many other common foot conditions can lead to these symptoms. Getting the right treatment will help provide symptom relief and allow you to stay active.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.