Heel pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, including plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis. Sore heels are a common complaint of the foot and ankle. Rest, orthotics, and stretching help ease the pain. You may experience chronic pain if you ignore your heel pain and do not treat it. Heel pain rarely requires surgery.
What causes heel pain?
Heel and ankle pain are common problems. The pain may be felt behind or underneath the heel.
There are many conditions that can cause heel pain, including:
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the feet.
Achilles or flexor tendonitis or tendonosis
Bone spurs.
Sever's Disease (most commonly in children aged 8Ð14).
Bursitis.
Stress fractures.
Tendons inflamed.
You should seek medical attention to determine the cause of your heel discomfort. This will allow you to begin the right treatment.
The pain in your heels can make it difficult for you to walk or participate in everyday activities. Nonsurgical treatment is usually effective for most painful heel conditions, but you need time to recover.
How common is heel discomfort?
Every year, more than 2,000,000 Americans suffer from heel pain. This problem is experienced by people of all ages.
Where does heel pain develop?
You may feel pain, tenderness, or soreness in any part of the heel. You feel pain in your heel.
The heel is behind the back.
Under the heel.
The heel bone is a calcified structure.
What causes heel pain?
There are several causes of pain in the back heel.
Achilles Tendinitis: An Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bones. It is the longest and strongest tendon in the body. Achilles tendinitis is more common in runners and basketball players. The tendon becomes inflamed due to overuse. Tendonitis is characterised by swelling, pain, and stiffness at the back of the heel.
Bursitis bursae, the plural of bursa, swell. These sacs cushion the joints and allow for fluid movement. A bruise-like sensation may be felt in the heel. Bursitis is most common after spending a lot of time on your feet.
Haglundês deformity: Chronic irritation and inflammation can cause an enlarged bump to form at the back of the foot. Pumps and other shoes with high heels can exacerbate the pain.
Severês disease (calcaneal apophysitis). Severês disease can cause heel pain in active children aged 8 to 14. This problem is more common in children who are involved in sports that involve a lot of running and jumping. Increased athletic activity can irritate the growth plate at the back of the foot.
What causes pain under the heel?
The following are some of the causes of pain under the heel:
Bone bruise: Stepping on a sharp, hard object can bruise the fat padding beneath the heel. Your heel may not show any discoloration, but it will still feel tender. Sever's disease, stress fractures, and pain along the back, bottom, or side of the heel are all possible causes of this type of pain.
Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis causes the most heel pain. The fascia, the connective tissue running along the bottom of the foot (plantar surface), tears or stretches. This painful condition is more common in people who jump and run a lot. Exercise equipment and surfaces with hard edges (such as concrete), such as treadmills, can cause irritation.
Heel Spurs: Chronic Plantar Fasciitis can lead to a growth of bone (heel) on the heel. Heel spurs are not usually painful, although some people experience pain.
What are the causes of heel pain?
Any activity that places a great deal of strain and pressure on your feet can lead to heel pain. Foot mechanics and foot structure are other factors.
If you:
Have obesity.
Have you had foot or ankle arthritis, flat feet, or high arches
Running or jumping a lot is good for sports and exercise.
Spend a lot of time standing up, especially if you are on concrete floors.
Do not wear shoes that are improperly fitted without cushioning or arch support.
What are the symptoms?
The causes of heel pain can cause different symptoms. You may also experience:
Bony growths on the heel
Discoloration (bruising, redness)
Stiffness.
Swelling.
Tenderness.
Pain when standing up from a sitting or resting position
How is heel pain diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will evaluate your symptoms and conduct a physical examination. You can also have X-rays taken to check for osteoarthritis, fractures, and bone alignment.
You may only need an MRI or ultrasound. They can reveal soft tissue issues that X-rays cannot.
What are the consequences of heel pain?
The pain in your heels can make it difficult to walk, work, exercise, and perform daily tasks. If it hurts to walk, you may become sedentary. Inactivity can cause weight gain. You might also become sad if you cannot do what you enjoy.
Tendinosis (tendinosis) can occur if Achilles tendonitis is not treated. The Achilles tendon may rupture or tear over time. Surgery may be required to correct this problem.
What is the treatment for heel pain?
Nonsurgical treatment is effective for most heel problems. Treatments are aimed at reducing pain and inflammation, increasing foot flexibility, and reducing stress on the heel. These treatments include:
Injections Steroid injections may reduce swelling and pain. Steroid injections are rarely given to treat tendon problems, but they can be very helpful for treating plantar fasciitis or bursitis.
Orthotic devices. Custom-made or over-the-counter shoe inserts can relieve heel pressure. Wearing a splint during the night can provide relief for some people, particularly if they experience morning pain. For more severe symptoms, a walking boot might be required. For everyday wear and exercise, you may need to switch over to more supportive shoes.
Use ice and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), combined, to relieve pain.
Physical Therapy
Massage therapy, physical therapy, and ultrasound therapy can help break up adhesions in soft tissues. These treatments can reduce inflammation and pain.
Stretching exercises Your health care provider can show you how to stretch your heel muscles and tendons.
Taping You may use medical or athletic tape to support your foot's arch or heel.
How can I avoid heel pain?
It's vital to maintain flexibility in your heel and foot tendons. This will help prevent pain from returning or recurring. Stretching regularly is important, as is wearing supportive shoes that are properly fitted. Heel pain is a common problem for runners. You can prevent running injuries if you run less and on softer surfaces.
What is the outlook (prognosis) for people with heel pain?
Nonsurgical treatment usually relieves heel pain, but recovery can take time. Be patient and allow your body to heal. You can delay your recovery if you return too soon to your normal activities. You may require surgery in rare cases.
Credit: NoRXPharmaUSA.com
