what can cause a numbness in the heel
A variety of soft tissue, osseous, and systemic disorders can cause heel pain. Narrowing the differential diagnosis begins with a history and physical examination of the lower extremity to pinpoint the anatomic origin of the heel pain. The most common cause of heel pain in adults is plantar fasciitis.ain and numbness often radiate to the plantar heel and, in some cases, extend even to the distal sole and toes. View/Print Figure. Figure 2. Medial view of the ankle illustrating the course of the posterior tibial nerve through the tarsal tunnel.
Causes. Numbness is usually caused by damage, irritation or compression of several nerves or a single branch of a nerve, most often situated in the periphery of your body. Diseases affecting the peripheral nerves, such as diabetes, also can cause numbness.Rarely, numbness can be caused by problems in your brain or spinal cord.Fortunately, numbness by itself is only rarely associated with potentially life-threatening disorders, such as strokes or tumors.Your doctor will need detailed information about your symptoms to diagnose the cause of your numbness.arely, numbness can be caused by problems in your brain or spinal cord. Fortunately, numbness by itself is only rarely associated with potentially life-threatening disorders, such as strokes or tumors. Your doctor will need detailed information about your symptoms to diagnose the cause of your numbness.