Heel Pain and Disorders – Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Various illnesses, such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis can bring on heel pain. A typical foot and ankle problem is a hurting heel. Over time, discomfort is reduced by stretching, orthotics, and rest. If you do not address and neglect heel discomfort, you might develop persistent issues that will take longer to heal. Surgery is hardly necessary for heel discomfort.

Heel Pain

A frequent foot and ankle issue is heel pain. Underneath or behind the heel, there may be pain. Moreover, there are several conditions that can cause heel discomfort, including:

• Plantar fasciitis.
• Achilles or flexor tendonitis/tendonosis.
• Bone spurs.
• Sever’s illness (most commonly in kids aged 8 to 14).
• Also, bursitis.
• Stress fractures.
• Tendon inflammation

You should seek medical attention to assist you identify the precise source of your heel pain. Thus, the right course of therapy may be initiated. Walking and taking part in regular activities might be challenging when you have heel discomfort. Nonsurgical therapies are effective for the majority of painful heel issues. However, your body needs time to recuperate.

Symptoms

The symptoms of heel pain might vary depending on the cause. Along with discomfort, you could also feel:

• Development of bone on the heel.
• Discoloration (redness or bruising).
• Stiffness.
• Swelling.
• Tenderness.
• Also, having pain after getting up from a sitting or resting posture.

Common Causes of Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis

Inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament arises due to excessive pressure on the foot resulting in plantar fasciitis. This causes stiffness and discomfort. Thus, discover the underlying causes of this illness and potential cures.

Sprains and strains

Exercise commonly causes sprains, strains, and other physical disorders. These wounds are frequent. Also, they depend on whether the incidence might be mild or serious.

Fracture

A fracture is a broken bone. The state of this condition is regarded as an emergency. Thus, you could require immediate care.

Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis happens when overuse injuries cause the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel to become painful or swollen.

Bursitis

Your joints have fluid-filled sacs referred to as bursae. They surround the areas where bones are in contact with muscles, tendons, and skin.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Your spine is the main area of concern with this type of arthritis. It produces significant vertebral inflammation. Also, this might potentially result in disability and persistent discomfort.

Reactive arthritis

This particular form of arthritis arises due to an infection in the body.

Treatment

You may employ these techniques at home to relieve discomfort if you get heel pain:

• Get as much rest as you can.
• Ice the heel twice a day for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Also, utilize over-the-counter painkillers.
• Put on shoes that are comfortable.
• Wear a night splint. This helps to extend your foot while you sleep.
• Reduce discomfort by using shoe inserts or heel lifts.

Physical therapy may frequently be advised by your doctor. In order to prevent additional damage, doing this might assist to strengthen the muscles and tendons in your foot. Depending on how bad your pain is, your doctor could prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs.

Additionally, your physician could advise you to use supportive footwear or tape your foot as much as possible. In extremely rare circumstances, your doctor could advise surgery to fix the issue. However, heel surgery frequently has a lengthy recovery period and may not always provide relief for your foot discomfort.

The Bottom Line

Under the foot, behind the heel, and on the inner or outer side of the heel are the most typical locations for heel pain to develop. Also, it could be brought on by increased heel pressure from sprinting, lengthy standing, or carrying more weight. Heel discomfort can also result from having high arches or tight calf muscles.

Heel discomfort may be avoided by using supportive footwear, and avoiding prolonged standing. Also, this happens by achieving or maintaining reasonable body weight. A doctor should examine the foot to identify the reason and choose the most appropriate course of action if the heel pain is severe or if there is numbness or edema.