A sharp ache every time your shoe rubs against the back of your heel is more than an inconvenience — it can turn favorite shoes into a source of dread and make every step a reminder that something is wrong. Whether the discomfort started as a small bump or built up over months of training, getting to the root cause is the fastest path back to comfortable movement.
Dr. D. Sean Sweeney, DPM, FACFAS, and Dr. Christy Leahey, DPM, FACFAS, of Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists have spent more than 20 years helping Houston-area patients walk pain-free again. The practice has been voted Best Podiatrist in The Woodlands by Living Magazine every year since 2012, a testament to their compassionate, leading-edge care.
What Causes Pain in the Back of the Heel?
Back-of-the-heel pain has several common causes, and identifying the right one is essential for effective relief. The following are some of the most well-known contributors.
Haglund’s Deformity (Pump Bump)
The most frequent culprit is Haglund’s deformity, an enlarged bony prominence on the back of the heel — often nicknamed the “pump bump.” It is especially common in women whose shoes rub against the heel bone. As pressure continues, the area swells, and a bursa (a fluid-filled sac) often forms over the bump, adding to the soreness.
Achilles Spurring and Tendonitis
Closely related is the formation of a bone spur where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel. Achilles tendonitis itself involves swelling, lumps, or small tears in the tendon just above the heel bone. Left untreated, the tendon can rupture. A smaller nearby tendon, the plantaris, can also tear suddenly during exercise and mimic Achilles pain.
An Uncommon Cause: Xanthomas
Occasionally, small lumps in the Achilles tendon are caused by xanthomas — cholesterol deposits linked to a hereditary high-cholesterol condition. Because untreated high cholesterol can lead to serious cardiovascular problems, we coordinate with your physician for aggressive management.
Treatment Options
Treatment is tailored to your specific diagnosis, lifestyle, and goals. Conservative care is typically the first step:
- Switching to shoes that do not rub the back of the heel
- Custom orthotics to reduce side-to-side rocking that aggravates the area
- Oral anti-inflammatory medication
- Cortisone injections for targeted pain relief
- Immobilization with a cast or crutches for tendon injuries
- In-office physical therapy and calf-stretching programs
- MLS laser therapy, an FDA-cleared treatment with 85–90% efficacy for reducing pain, inflammation, and swelling while accelerating tissue repair
- Surgery when conservative measures fail, including spur removal or tendon repair
Why Choose Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists for Heel Pain Treatment in The Woodlands, TX?
Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists blends warm, patient-centered care with advanced technology you will not find at every podiatry office. Our investment in MLS Laser Therapy allows many patients to find significant relief from heel and Achilles pain without injections or surgery, and our in-office physical therapy keeps your recovery coordinated under one roof.
From children and weekend warriors to seniors and patients with diabetes, every visitor receives the same compassionate, detail-driven attention. Dr. Sweeney and Dr. Leahey, both Fellows of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, offer medical and surgical solutions, as well as regenerative options such as Nano Flex stem cell injections for tendon injuries and chronic pain. Prompt appointments mean urgent heel issues do not have to wait.
Step Comfortably Again
Pain in the back of your heel will rarely resolve on its own, but the right diagnosis and treatment plan can have you moving comfortably much sooner than you think. From custom orthotics and MLS laser therapy to advanced surgical care, the Sweeney Foot & Ankle team is ready to help you find lasting relief.
Contact our offices in The Woodlands, TX, at (281) 292-4944 or in Magnolia, TX, at (281) 789-4956 to schedule your consultation today.