Differential Diagnosis for Right Heel Pain
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Plantar Fasciitis: This condition is the most common cause of heel pain and is often described as feeling like a bruise. It occurs due to inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, supporting the arch.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Achilles Tendinitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon can cause pain in the back of the heel, which might feel like a bruise. This condition is common in runners and athletes who participate in sports that involve running or jumping.
- Heel Fat Pad Atrophy: This condition involves the loss of the fat pad under the heel, leading to pain and a feeling of walking on a bruise. It's more common in older adults.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae (fluid-filled sacs) near the heel can cause pain and swelling, which might be described as feeling like a bruise.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Fracture (Stress or Traumatic): Although less common, a fracture in the heel area can cause severe pain that might feel like a deep bruise. Missing this diagnosis could lead to improper healing and chronic issues.
- Infection (Osteomyelitis or Septic Arthritis): Infections in the bone or joint of the heel can cause pain, swelling, and redness. These conditions are medical emergencies and require prompt treatment.
- Tumor: Although rare, tumors (benign or malignant) in the heel area can cause persistent pain that might initially be dismissed as a bruise.
Rare Diagnoses
- Rheumatologic Conditions (e.g., Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis): These conditions can cause heel pain among other symptoms, but they are less common causes of isolated heel pain feeling like a bruise.
- Nerve Entrapment (e.g., Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome): Compression of nerves in the foot can cause pain, numbness, and tingling, which might be described as a bruising sensation in rare cases.