{"id":5619,"date":"2019-04-15T03:06:53","date_gmt":"2019-04-15T03:06:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5619"},"modified":"2021-03-30T18:59:56","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T18:59:56","slug":"14-possible-triggers-of-heel-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-possible-triggers-of-heel-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Possible Triggers of Heel Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Heel pain occurs for a variety of reasons; it could be from rolling your ankle while slipping down the staircase \u2013 or from extending the miles you run each week. Runners, sportspeople, and athletes need to carefully monitor the health of their feet if they want longevity in their chosen activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many seniors think that dealing with foot pain is a part of life \u2013 it happens, and there\u2019s not much you can do about it, you\u2019re just getting old. As a result of this attitude, people let mild symptoms of heel pain fester for far too long than they should, and left untreated, the condition advances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless if you\u2019re a sports person, runner, or a member of the senior community \u2013 if you experience heel pain, its best to seek professional medical help. There\u2019s a variety of treatments available to help heal most heel problems, but you need to make the trip to the doctor\u2019s office for a diagnosis first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight possible triggers of heel pain.
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1.    Tendonitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The legs, lower limbs, and feet have a network of ligaments extending from the lower back and core muscles, into the hips, down the things, through the calves, and around the ankles \u2013 ending at the toes. These ligaments assist with muscle contraction and joint movement. When tendons in the knee, calves, and ankles experience inflammation, they trigger a condition known as tendonitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ligaments receive micro-tears through long training sessions in athletes, and as part of muscular degeneration and posture issues in seniors. When they heal, these tears leave behind scar tissue that starts to thicken the tendon. Repetitive stress that results in micro=-tears leads to excessive scar tissue buildup and the development of tendonitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tendonitis <\/a>can occur in the peroneal and Achilles tendons, resulting in symptoms of heel pain. If left untreated, the inflammation can spread to other tendons, such as the plantar fascia. Fortunately, a physiotherapist can treat the early stages of the condition, and most people make a full recovery.
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2.    Morton\u2019s Neuroma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even socialites that like to attend prestigious functions can develop heel pain. Ladies that enjoy wearing high-heels with pointed toes are not doing their feet any favors. Morton\u2019s neuroma describes a condition where the tissue surrounding the nerves between the toes begins to grow, resulting in feelings of numbness or tingling in the toes \u2013 as well as heel pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pain from Morton\u2019s neuroma is dull and aches. If left unmanaged and untreated, the numbness <\/a>will continue to spread throughout the font of the foot. Most women realize they have something wrong before this stage and make an appointment with their podiatrist to solve their problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you enjoy wearing high-heels, it\u2019s best to save them for special occasions and opt for more comfortable roomier shoes around the house, at work and while running errands. If you do have to wear high-heels for work purposes, then make sure you treat yourself to a foot massage a few times a week to prevent the development of Morton\u2019s neuroma, and other triggers that cause heel pain.
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3.    Bunions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A bunion <\/a>is a growth that starts on the outside or underside of your big toe. You may not notice it in the initial stages, but eventually \u2013 the swelling starts to become pronounced, and you\u2019ll begin to feel slight sensations of pain when you move your big toe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bunions require management by your doctor and physiotherapist to ensure they don\u2019t get too large. Some surgeries exist that can fix bunions, but the outcome is not successful in every patient that undergoes the procedure. Most people with bunions have persistent symptoms throughout the course of their life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the advanced stages of the condition, the bunion spreads the bones of the big toe and the first toe on the inside, creating stress on the front of the fascia, causing heel pain as the plantar fascia starts to experience inflammation as well. If left untreated, this inflammation can lead to the onset of plantar fasciitis.
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4.    Plantar Fasciitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Plantar fasciitis <\/a>is a runner\u2019s worst nightmare come true. This tendonitis complication affects the plantar fascia, the ligament that runs from the front of your toes and connects to your heel bone. People that place additional pressure on the fascia tissue due to obesity, poor posture, overtraining, and a variety of other reasons, start to experience inflammation of the ligament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As scar tissue builds up in the plantar fascia, symptoms of tendonitis begin to occur, resulting in heel pain and sore soles that feel like they are on fire. If left untreated, the condition becomes chronic, and pain symptoms may be so severe that seniors require assistive walking support to move around. Runners may also experience severe pain symptoms that force them to stop training and hang up their running shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, if doctors catch plantar fasciitis in time, it’s treatable with physiotherapy, massage, stretching, and the use of compression socks.
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5.    Arthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than 40-million Americans live with some form of arthritis<\/a>. The most common types of arthritis causing heel pain are osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With osteoarthritis, the affected individual begins to experience a rapid loss in bone density due to the bones leeching their calcium deposits. As a result, the skeletal system becomes fragile. This form of the degenerative bone disease typically affects seniors over the age of 60-years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rheumatoid arthritis is a different animal. In this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks the skeletal system, stripping away at the joint cartilage while inflaming bone cells. It\u2019s a terribly painful disorder that affects people of any age, even young teenagers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, there\u2019s no cure available. However, doctors manage symptoms through the use of corticosteroid drugs, painkillers, and prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arthritis of the ankle and heel bone can trigger heel pain in seniors and may lead to the development of osteophytes, or bone spurs.
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6.    Hammertoes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHammertoes\u201d describes a condition where the toes start to fold under the feet, due to damage to the joints of the toes. The most common cause for the development of hammertoes<\/a> is the use of the wrong footwear, People who try to squeeze their feet into shoes that are a size to small place pressure on the front of the toe, causing inflammation of the toe joints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, people who wear shoes that are too big for them may \u201cgrip\u201d the front of the shoe with their toes, causing inflammation of the toe joints as well. Ladies that wear high-heels are also at risk of developing hammertoe, along with Morton\u2019s syndrome and plantar fasciitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wearing the correct footwear may sort out the initial stages of hammertoe, but if left untreated, it may become chronic, resulting in a permanent deformity to the toes. As the condition advances, hammertoes can cause issues with the plantar fascia as well, leading to the development of plantar fasciitis and heel pain.
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7.    Gout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gout <\/a>produces symptoms very similar to arthritis. When we drink or eat foods containing high amounts of sulfites and uric acid, such as red wine, the uric acid crystallizes in the joints., This leads to a condition known as gout. People who are suffering from the effects of gout experience symptoms of pain that occurs when they try to flex their ankle. Inflammation in the heel bone may also make it painful to walk or stand in one place for too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big toe joint also seems particularly sensitive to receiving bouts of gout, and some people may confuse it with the onset of a bunion. Most of the time, gout disappears a few days after faring up, and affected individuals experience no lasting symptoms or joint deformities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, gout attacks can increase in frequency if you fail to manage your diet. Revise what you\u2019re eating and drinking, avoid all foods and beverages that could cause a flare-up in your symptoms.
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8.    Sprains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An athlete or runner will eventually have to deal with rolling their ankle at some stage of their career. Ankle sprains <\/a>are probably the most common trigger of heel pain. The most common type of ankle sprain involves the ankle rolling toward the outside of the foot, creating trauma to the ligaments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The severity of the ankle sprain depends on the kind of force that impacts the ankle, as well as the state of health of the affected individual. While rolling your ankle getting out of the car is something that a seasoned runner can walk off in a few minutes \u2013 a senior may be left unable to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most mild ankle sprains are easy to treat with the use of the acronym; RICE, (rest, ice, compression, elevation.) Sit down, elevate your ankle above your waist, and place an icepack on the ankle. Ice it for 5-minutes on and 5-minutes off till the swelling starts to go down, and pain symptoms begin to subside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Heel Spur<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A heel spur is where a calcium deposit grows between the heel and the arch of the foot. Heels spurs <\/a>may be related to an underlying health condition. Some people assume that heels spurs are the cause of all pain in the heel, but other factors also cause the issue as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spurs, or “osteophytes,” are bony growths occurring on the underside of the foot. Heel spurs or “calcaneal spurs,” have different shapes and sizes. Some appear hooked, pointy, or shelf-like. The growth of a heel spur starts from the underneath of the heel towards the middle of the foot, and up to half an inch in length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of spurs include sharp pains in the heel when standing in the morning. Other signs of osteophytes include a dull ache in the heel for the rest of the day, as well as swelling and inflammation in the front of the heel where it meets the plantar fascia. Some patients report a feeling of heat radiating from the inflamed area. In advanced cases, there are small but visible bone protrusions under the heel pad.
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10. Ill-Fitting Athletic Footwear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The health of runner’s feet is of crucial importance to their longevity in the sport. The heel is a foundational structure of the foot, responsible for maintaining posture and gait when walking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acute heel pain is something most runners can get over with rest and therapy. However, chronic heel pain can cause runners to hang up their cleats or running shoes for good. One of the more common reasons for heel pain outside of injury <\/a>comes from ill-fitting footwear worn by the runner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some runners may think that they have a pair of “lucky” shoes, that they love to wear on race day. However, you need to compete in the same shoes that you train in, or you run the risk of developing shin splints and heel pain on race day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When buying your next pair of running shoes, read the manufacturers guidelines for the design of the shoe and what type of foot it suits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Improper Running Stride<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Is running innate? It is part of our genetic code, and we need it for survival purposes. Most of us picked it up naturally as children, and some of us went on to excel in the sport, shattering sprinting and marathon records. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, not everyone has the opportunity to learn how to run correctly. As a result, many people choose to run with their heel at the lead of the foot-strike, instead of the ball of the foot. As a result of this improper running posture<\/a>, the runner starts to develop heel spurs from the increased trauma on the heel through heel-strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Retraining your running posture may take a while. Learning to run with the ball of your foot taking the lead may seem strange at first, but with practice, you’ll find it feels more natural than leading with the heel \u2013 and less painful as well. Don’t forget to select the right running shoes to compensate for your change in running form!
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12. Sports Injuries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are a trained athlete or a weekend warrior, there’s a chance you could get injured during your next workout or training session. Runners are most at risk of developing heel pain from their passion for hitting the street for exercise. As discussed, some runners use the improper form in their stride, resulting in pressure on the heel that results in heel pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, the runner may develop a condition known as a “stone bruise,” where they experience severe pain when placing any pressure on the heel. As a result of a stone bruise, the runner may have to use an assistive walking device, like crutches to get around for the first week while the injury heals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other sports like football and soccer also place tremendous demands on the feet. These types of activities call for abnormal movements of the heel bone<\/a>, resulting in the injury of the heel bone.
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13. Slip and Falls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Slip and falls happen in homes, shopping malls, and businesses across the United States every day. Most slip and falls are harmless and result only in minor injuries. A slip and fall can affect many joints, bones, and tissues <\/a>in the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, the affected person may slip on an unsecured mat in their home. As a result, they may twist their ankle, fall over sideways and hurt their hip. Another example could be a person that misses the last step on a flight of stairs and lands on their foot too hard, resulting in heel pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slip, and falls are accidents and named so because they occur when we least expect them to do so. It’s impossible to prevent accidents entirely, but taking strategies to prevent them from happening around the home is a prudent move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Install non-slip mats on the floors and in the bathtub, as well as the shower. Clean up spills as they happen, and don’t leave loose cords or items lying around on the floor of the house, such as kid’s toys.
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14. When to See a Podiatrist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Seniors and athletes need to pay special attention to the health of their feet. As we age, we run the risk of developing conditions like osteophytes, and runners are at risk of developing plantar fasciitis \u2013 both of which cause symptoms of heel pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the most part, runners can manage the symptoms of sprains<\/a>, strains, and tendonitis at home, but there are circumstances where they will need to see a podiatrist. Structural imbalances in the foot along with poor running form may lead to a host of problems with the heels, ankles, toes, knees, and hips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve recently experienced a foot injury, especially something to do with your heel, then it’s vital you take the rest necessary to let it heal before resuming your training. Failing to recover can increase the length of healing time, and persistent injury of the heel may lead to the early development of osteophytes in runners.
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