5. Disorders Affecting the Heel Pad
The heel pad is the fatty, fibrous tissue that sits under your heel bone. The purpose of the heel pad is to act as a shock absorber, protecting the heel bone from an impact. People that jump from heights onto their feet may develop a condition affecting the heel pad known as a “stone bruise.”
These bruise projects acute pain symptoms when the affected individual places pressure on their heel during running or walking. Athletes and runners that train for marathons of competition may also develop a stone bruise because their heel pad wears thin from running long distances.
The heel pad may also develop blisters or sores from friction between the skin, socks, and running shoes during training. In both cases of stone bruises and blisters, doctors recommend that the person take time off from their activities to allow the condition to heel.
People suffering from the effects of a stone bruise typically don’t require any medication, but those with severe forms of the injury may benefit from the use of painkillers and NSAIDs to reduce the inflammation and pain symptoms.