Waking up with a sore, stabbing heel can feel confusing  and worrying. Many people immediately wonder: could this be gout? After all, gout is painful, it affects the feet, and it can flare suddenly. But does it really cause heel pain? Let’s break it down.

What is Gout?
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. When crystals form in the joints, they create intense pain, swelling, and redness.

Common Gout Symptoms:

• Sudden, severe joint pain (often at night)

• Swelling, warmth, and redness in the joint

• Most often affects the big toe joint, but can also impact ankles, knees, elbows, and wrists

Does Gout Affect the Heel?
Yes, but rarely. While gout usually attacks the big toe, it can occasionally affect other parts of the foot including the heel. However, this is not the most common presentation.

Other Possible Heel Pain Causes:

• Plantar fasciitis (accounts for 80–90% of heel pain cases)

• Achilles tendonitis

• Stress fractures

• Nerve entrapment or sciatica

So while heel pain can be related to gout, it’s much more likely to be caused by plantar fasciitis or another mechanical issue in the foot.

Here’s the key: although gout gets a lot of attention, the majority of heel pain isn’t gout at all. In fact, studies show that 8 to 9 out of 10 heel pain cases are actually plantar fasciitis. The symptoms can overlap, which is why many people confuse the two.

If you’re unsure whether your heel pain is gout, plantar fasciitis, or something else, the best first step is to compare your symptoms.