After experiencing heel pain and looking into treatment options, such as minimally-invasive heel spur surgery, you might be trying to investigate its various causes. One specific question you may have is, “Can sciatica cause heel pain?” Sciatica can affect the lower back, buttocks, and legs, but it can also radiate to other areas, such as the heel. There are some cases where sciatica can add to heel pain. In this article, we dive into that discussion further.
Can Sciatica Cause Heel Pain?
When the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed, this causes the symptoms of sciatica. This nerve runs from the lower back all the way down to the legs, which is why the area range for pain is so widespread. Some symptoms people feel with sciatica are pain, tingling, and numbness that moves down the leg and can even extend to the heel.
Patients can also experience something called referred pain. This means pain can be felt in a different area from the area where the nerve is pinched. The irritation of the sciatic nerve can interrupt the communication of the nerves that go into the feet and cause heel pain that way. Referred pain is more noticeable while standing, walking, or just when generally placing pressure on the foot. While the true source of sciatic pain is in the lower back, this referred pain can become mistaken for other conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or heel spurs.
The nerves that control the foot are linked to the sciatic nerve, which is why sciatic nerve irritation can affect these nerves in the foot. Although heel pain is not usually directly associated with sciatica, pain and discomfort can still be felt in the heels because of how the nerves are connected.
The Connection Between Sciatica and Heel Spurs
Heel spurs, or bony growths that form under the heel bone, can also be affected by sciatica. Many things can lead to the formation of heel spurs, but sciatica can also affect the way we move our feet and how they align. The misalignment and pattern of movement caused by sciatica can lead to extra strain on the heel, then causing a heel spur. If this occurs, your overall pain in the area can worsen and you may have even more discomfort.
Diagnosing Sciatica-Related Heel Pain
Make sure to consult with a healthcare professional to get to the bottom of the cause of your heel pain. An accurate diagnosis will clarify a lot of confusion and illuminate your next steps. Your provider will likely complete a physical exam and potentially order imaging, like X-rays or MRIs. If you have had previous issues with sciatica, they will want to know more about that as well.
Treatment for Sciatica Heel Pain
To treat heel pain caused by sciatica, it is important to ameliorate the sciatica itself as best as possible. Common treatments for sciatica include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and even injections with corticosteroids to ease the pain and inflammation. There are certain cases where minimally invasive procedures may be recommended if the discomfort persists after the baseline treatments.
Managing the heel pain itself may be done with a few different treatments. If the only contributor is sciatica, then treating the nerve issue will help. Other options to treat the pain include:
- Maintaining proper posture: Your sciatic nerve can become compressed if you have poor posture. Try to be mindful of this when sitting or standing.
- Exercise: Low-impact activities such as walking or swimming can strengthen your muscles and prevent sciatica without worsening your condition.
- Stretching: It is also worth trying stretching exercises because they can reduce the frequency of sciatica flare-ups. By keeping the muscles flexible, you can relieve the tension around the sciatic nerve.
- Wearing supportive footwear: Having the right shoes makes a big difference! Stay away from high heels or shoes without proper arch support.
If there are heel spurs present, your provider may suggest minimally invasive heel spur surgery to remove the spur.
When to See a Provider
If you are having pain related to sciatica in the back, along the legs, or in the heel, it is essential to see a healthcare provider. They can perform a complete evaluation and help guide your treatment plan to prevent further issues. The key is to be seen as soon as possible to find relief and better your quality of life. Stop by our clinic today to discuss your options for heel pain treatment!