Heel Pain: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may occur along with heel pain:

Leading symptoms

  • Acute versus chronic foot pain
  • Sharp versus dull pain
  • Radiating pain
  • Load-dependent pain

Associated symptoms

  • Movement restriction
  • Neurological symptoms such as paresthesias (misfeeling).
  • Redness
  • Overheating

Warning signs (red flags)

  • Anamnestic information:
    • Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (pAVD) + nocturnal footpad pain → think: critical ischemia (reduced blood flow).
  • Severe bone pain + fever + general feeling of illness → think of: Osteomyelitis (bone marrow inflammation).
  • Nonspecific foot pain → think of: Ischemia or neuropathy (“nerve disease”).