{"id":5645,"date":"2019-04-15T03:09:37","date_gmt":"2019-04-15T03:09:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5645"},"modified":"2021-03-30T19:09:23","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T19:09:23","slug":"14-causes-of-heel-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-causes-of-heel-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Causes of Heel Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Is your heel feeling sore? There are a variety of reasons why you\u2019re experiencing heel pain, so isolating the exact cause may be an issue, especially if you an active person like a runner or athlete. However, there are guidelines we can use to identify the cause of your heel pain and provide the correct treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Identifying the causes of heel pain requires a diagnosis by a doctor or a specialist podiatrist. Pain symptoms can occur due to issues with tendons, muscles, nerves, and bones. Inflammation plays a key role in heel pain, producing pain symptoms that make the patient aware that something is wrong with their heel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infection and trauma are also leading causes of heel pain, with many patients developing issues with their heels due to the presence of systemic infection affecting other areas of the body. Whatever the reason for your heel pain, its best to visit a medical professional to prevent the advancement of the condition and receive the treatment you need. Here are the top 8 causes of heel pain.
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1.    Achilles Tendonitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Achilles tendon is the largest ligament in the body. This tendon inserts into the back of the calve muscle and attach to the heel. Patients describe the feeling on Achilles tendonitis<\/a> as a tight, aching pain with symptoms pain that runs up or down the tendon when they try to walk or run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Achilles tendonitis develops over the course of weeks or months, without presenting any noticeable pain symptoms. However, eventually, the patient reaches a tipping point where the tendon inflames to the point where pain becomes pronounced during movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated, Achilles tendonitis becomes a severe inflammatory condition where the affected individual may no longer be able to walk on the affected leg. Achilles tendonitis typically occurs in athletes and sportspeople that run or frequently jump in their chosen activity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stress on the calve tightens the tendon, reducing mobility and sparking symptoms of heel pain. Doctors treat Achilles tendonitis using NSAIDs physical therapy and orthotics.
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2.    Plantar Fasciitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This condition is the bane of every runner or athlete. The plantar fascia<\/a> is a band of connective tissue that runs from your toes to your heel. When the fascia experiences repetitive stress and trauma from a runner\u2019s heel-strike, the ligament begins to inflame, causing symptoms of heel pain that feel like a stabbing sensation in your foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Runners and athletes require immediate treatment to stop the progression of the condition. If left untreated, plantar fasciitis continues to advance, resulting in an incredibly painful experience that can result in athletes and runners hanging up their cleats or running shoes for good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors treat plantar fasciitis with pain killers and anti0inflammatories to manage the symptoms. Should the fasciitis show no signs of recovery, your podiatrist may recommend mildly invasive surgeries, such as Tenex, to remove the scar tissue from the fascia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other home remedies to reduce the inflammation include ice, elevation, and rest. Wearing compression socks throughout the day enhances circulation, improving your recovery.
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3.    Bursitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The bursa is fluid-filled fibrous sacs found in the heel that lubricate the ankle joint. The retrocalcaneal bursa, lies between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone, while the retroachilles bursa seats between the Achilles tendon and the skin. Both of these fibrous sacs are at risk of inflammation from various causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common form of bursitis <\/a>affects the retroachilles bursa and typically occurs due to wearing shoes that don\u2019t fit your feet properly. The rear of the shoe rubs against the heel, inflaming the retroachilles bursa, producing a bump on the back of the foot at the same height as the upper of your shoe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The retrocalcaneal bursa is less common and occurs due to inflammation of the heel bone, plantar fascia, or Achilles tendon through impact or trauma. Doctors sometimes drain retroachilles bursa if they become uncomfortable, but most will disappear on their own when the affected individual changes their footwear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the retrocalcaneal bursa is much more challenging to treat and may include the use of anti-inflammatories and painkillers to soothe the inflammatory effects of the condition.
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4.    Nerve Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The blood sugar disorder, diabetes<\/a>, is well known for causing issues with the nervous system that lead to peripheral neuropathy, resulting in a wide variety of health issues \u2013 including heel pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the most common cause of nerve-related heel pain comes from the condition known as \u201ctarsal tunnel syndrome.\u201d The posterior tibial nerve extends down the calve, splitting into different webs of nerves that travel around the ankle and foot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the nerve enters the ankle, it passes through an area known as the \u201ctarsal tunnel.\u201d People with fallen arches, (flatfeet,) may experience pinching or entrapment of this nerve as it enters the tunnel. Pain symptoms are the most common symptom of Tarsal tunnel syndrome, but the condition also produces numbness or tingling in the heel as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment for tarsal tunnel syndrome includes physiotherapy to free the nerve, as well as painkillers and NSAIDs to manage symptoms of pain and inflammation in the heel.
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5.    Disorders Affecting the Heel Pad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cstone bruise.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These bruise <\/a>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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People suffering from the effects of a stone bruise typically don\u2019t 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.
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6.    Stress Fractures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Runners and athletes place tremendous amounts of stress on their feet during training and competition. Sportspeople and runners who over-train, run the risk of developing stress <\/a>fractures in their shins, ankles, heel, and toes. These fractures typically occur in the ankles and toes \u2013 due to impact from jumping or changing direction quickly while in motion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stress fractures to the heel typically occur due to repetitive foot-strike from running long distances regularly. Stress fractures to the heel can cause symptoms of pain in varying degrees, depending on the extent of the injury. If the runner continues to ignore the signs of stress fractures, they risk weakening the structural integrity of the joints, leading to severe complications such as broken ankles and heel bones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only effective cure for stress fractures \u2013 is rest. Eat a nutritious diet that contains plenty of calcium, and add a calcium supplement to boost your body\u2019s healing process. In most cases, stress fractures heal in three to four weeks if the person takes the rest they need to recover.
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7.    Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Osteomyelitis is the medical term for an infection <\/a>of the heel bone. While it\u2019s a rare cause of ankle pain, this condition is a serious concern for anyone affected. Should the infection go unnoticed and untreated, it could lead to the development of other issues in the surrounding tissues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infection is not a common athletic injury, and medical professionals find that the condition affects people suffering from the effects of obesity, or other medical issues, such as diabetes. Doctors treat infections with the use of antibiotics to kill off the invading pathogens before they have a chance to spread to other areas of the foot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Telling a runner that they have to take time off from their training to heel from a blister affecting the heel is a lost cause. Runners are hopelessly addicted to their passion, and many choose to train through the problem. Unfortunately, this may result in the infection of the blister, resulting in heel pain.
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8.    Arthritis and Gout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are two types of arthritis<\/a>, that commonly affect the ankle and heel. Osteoarthritis describes accelerated wear of the bones and joints, with a loss of bone density leading to the risk of breaking the ankle or heel bones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most severe of the two. RA is an autoimmune disorder when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy bone and cartilage cells in the joints, resulting in severe symptoms of inflammation and pain. Doctors treat the symptoms of arthritis with painkillers and anti-inflammatories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gout occurs due to a build-up of uric acid in the ankle joint. The most common cause of gout is excessive alcohol consumption \u2013 mainly red wine, which contains sulfites. The uric acid crystals collect in the ankle or heel, producing excruciating pain symptoms when the joint moves. Your physician treats gout with NSAIDs and painkillers, and the condition will dissipate after a few days, and the affected individual will regain their mobility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Over-Training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Athletes and runners are a high-risk group for developing heel pain. When runners stride, they often lead with their heel instead of the ball of the foot. As a result, the heel strike is more intensive, placing pressure on the heel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When runners train for a marathon, they often increase the number of miles they run each week in preparation for the long-distance event. However, the additional training places strain <\/a>on the joints \u2013 especially those found in the heel, ankle, knees, and hips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increasing the distance, you run every week also means that you increase the number of heel strikes you make in a training session. If your running form is incorrect, and you lead with the heel in your stride, you run the risk of bruising the heel pad or damaging the heel bone \u2013 resulting in symptoms of heel pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always ensure that you\u2019re wearing the right style of shoes to suit the structure of your feet and your running style.
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10. Sprains and Tears<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Athletes and runners are at risk of incurring injuries to their heels and ankles during training. Sprained ankles are one of the most common forms of heel pain. A sprain typically occurs when the athlete or runner rolls their ankle to the inside or outside, resulting in an abnormal stretching of the tendons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stretched tendons <\/a>produce symptoms of pain and swelling and require treatment with ice therapy to reduce inflammation and pain. In some circumstances, the sprain may also affect the heel, depending on the type of injury incurred by the runner or athlete. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sprains typically heal in a few days, and in some cases, the athlete may be able to \u201crun it off,\u201d in a few minutes. However, severe sprains may result in the tearing of ligaments, which is much more severe. Tears in the Achilles tendon may result in severe heel pain, and require treatment through surgery to reattach the ligament to the bone.
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11. Aging and Inactivity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Seniors are at risk of developing osteophytes \u2013 calcified deposits that attach to the surface of the heel bone. These spurs cause symptoms of heel pain that can vary in intensity depending on the size and number of spurs on the heel bone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These spurs occur due to the natural aging process. As we age, our bones leach calcium, resulting in a loss of bone density. If the patient does not have a robust circulatory system, they will not be able to sweep away the calcium, resulting in the formation of an osteophyte. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients will start to notice the formation of heel spurs in their mid to late sixties, and they start to present severe pain symptoms in the middle to late seventies. There is no practical method of treatment to stop the formation of bone spurs, and doctors may be hesitant to operate on affected individuals due to their age and anesthetic <\/a>involved with the surgery.
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12. Using the Wrong Assistive Walking Device<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Seniors that develop heel spurs may benefit from an assistive walking device to help them get around. Canes, walkers, and wheelchairs are a few examples of practical assistive walking devices available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s vital that the patient chooses the right assistive walking device for their specific situation. Visit your doctor for recommendations on the best assistive walking device for your particular situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s critical to note that as your condition progresses, you\u2019ll need to change your device. If a cane was all you need to get around a few years back, but you find that you\u2019re starting to develop problems with heel pain<\/a>, it may be time to upgrade your device to something more supportive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t get the right device, your condition will continue to deteriorate as your body struggles to deal with the pain symptoms in the heel, resulting in exacerbation of your symptoms, and the further structural decline of the ankle, knees, and hips.
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13. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As with any other condition affecting the body, there is a specific set of risk factors that make some individuals more prone to developing heel pain than others. If you find yourself in any of the high-risk categories below, take the time to examine what you can do to prevent heel pain from occurring in your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seniors \u2013 Seniors <\/a>are the highest risk category for developing heel pain. People over the age of 65-years old have a good chance of developing osteophytes over the course of the next few decades \u2013 resulting in heel pain and inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Athletes and runners \u2013 If you train regularly, make sure you take care of your feet. Limit your training sessions and always remember to let your feet recover from the effects of exercise before you get back in the gym or on the track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overweight or obese individuals carry more mass, resulting in more pressure on the heels that leads to symptoms of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Prevention Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, it\u2019s possible to avoid heel pain by following a few preventative strategies to ensure your feet stay healthy. If you\u2019re a runner or an athlete, try soaking your feet in warm water with a cup of Epsom salts<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This practice will help your feet recover from the effects of your training. Epsom salts contain a significant quantity of magnesium \u2013 a mineral responsible for reducing inflammation in muscle tissues and ligaments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stretch your feet in the morning before you start your day. Stretching and the use of compression socks help to enhance circulation to your feet, reducing the chances of you developing heel pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure that you use the correct running shoes to match the structure of your feet. training in the wrong shoes will create feelings of heel pain and may lead to the development of other severe ligament disorders, such as \u201cplantar fasciitis.\u201d Avoid overtraining, and remember to recover after workouts.
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