Common Causes Of Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. This is due to the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a strong fibrous tissue found underneath the foot and connects to the calcaneus or heel bone to the metatarsals of the feet. 

If you experience heel pain when you take your first steps in the morning of after standing for long periods of time, then probably plantar fasciitis is the most probable cause. Plantar fasciitis also causes arch pain.

Heel spurs which are abnormal growths or protrusions of bone on the bottom of the heel bone, may cause foot pain when walking or standing. Heel spurs are commonly seen in people who suffer from plantar fasciitis, but heel spurs do not cause plantar fasciitis. If you have high arches or flat feet, then most probably you are suffering from heel spurs.

A fracture of the heel bone is most often caused by high impacts to the heel, typically a fall from high ground. Pain, swelling, bruising, limping and difficulty walking are all signs of a fractured foot.

A stone bruise is due to bruising of the fat pad of the heel. This occurs after stepping on a pebble or a small stone or any hard object. The heel may not change color  after the bruise. Pain reduces and disappears with rest.

Heel Pain Treatments

For Plantar fasciitis: RICE method

1.       Rest

2.       Ice

3.       Compress

4.       Elevate

For heel spurs:

1.       Custom made inserts

2.       Cut out heel pads

3.       Pain relievers

4.       Rest

5.       Surgery

For heel fractures

1.       Rest

2.       Padding or casting of the heel

3.       Pain relievers

4.       Surgery

Is Plantar Fasciitis Causing Your Heel Pain?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the common causes of heel pain. Pain is typically felt bellow the foot and can vary from mild to severe and can be debilitating. 

The structure involved is called the plantar fascia, a strong ligament that attaches below the calcaneous or heel bone to the metatarsals of the foot. The plantar fascia is responsible for maintaining the arch of the foot, which is very important part of the foot's biomechanics. Because of this, the plantar fascia is under constant pressure when standing, walking, or running. This is also the reason why this structure easily gets injured.

When the plantar fascia gets strained, micro injuries form which may irritate the ligament and cause swelling.  Pain is typically felt underneath the foot and is common among people who are middle aged. This is due to wear and tear, use of improper footwear, being overweight, or in athletes like runners, sprinters,and the like.

Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is intense or stabbing pain felt underneath the foot when taking the first steps getting out of bed or after sitting for long periods of time. Pain usually subsides after the foot gets adjusted to the activity, but pain can be experienced after long periods of standing, or when using the stairs.

Diagnosis

To diagnose plantar fasciitis, a physician or podiatrist will check your feet and will observe you while you walk or stand. He or she may ask you how active you are and what type of physical activities you do, what time of day the pain occurs and how intensive the pain is. Another way of diagnosing plantar fasciitis is by pressing directly into the center of the heel.

Treatment

There are several ways of treating plantar fasciitis without resorting into invasive treatments. One commonly recommended treatment is the use of a rigid orthotics which helps support the foot. Other simple management methods like wearing the right type of shoes, which also provide arch support, and allowing the foot to rest.

Simple Ways To Relieve Foot Pain

There are a lot of causes of foot pain and there are many factors that contribute to different types of foot pain. But the primary cause is using the wrong type of footwear, especially women with their high heels causing a lot of strain on the feet.

A lot of female patients suffer from a condition called Achilles tendinitis. This is foot pain usually felt behind the foot. When wearing high heels for long periods of time, the unusual position of the foot shortens the Achilles tendon. Now back at home, where the feet return to the normal position, a tightening effect or the stretching of the Achiilles tendon occurs causing some discomfort. Eventually, the prolonged use of these types of shoes can cause the Achilles tendon to be painful and inflamed.

Another common cause of foot pain is plantar fasciitis. This is due to the injury or inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a strong fibrous tissue found under the foot, and is responsible for maintaining the arch of the foot. For this reason, the plantar fascia is constantly under stress when walking or running. That’s why this structure is always prone to injury causing mild to severe foot pain.

In cases of foot pain, the first thing that can be done is the RICE method:

REST

Allowing the foot to rest is the primary goal to relieve pain and also treating the injury causing the pain. Taking pain relievers is not recommended because it masks the pain, allowing you to use your foot, which can further cause injury. 

ICE

Applying cold stimuli to the injured foot can decrease the pain and swelling. 

COMPRESS

Wrapping the foot with an elastic bandage helps immobilize the foot, this helps in the healing process. Also, it helps in controlling swelling.

ELEVATE

Lastly, if the foot is really swollen, raising the foot above the heart can prevent pooling of bodily fluids on the affected foot.

Heel Pain: Causes and Treatment

Heel pain is probably the most common foot pathology. It is estimated 100,000 individuals in the United States suffer from this condition. In most cases, acute heel pain is simple, easy and affordable to treat. Unfortunately, a lot of people have the wrong approach in heel pain management and treatment, and this could lead to chronic heel pain.

Causes Of Heel Pain

There are a lot of conditions that can cause heel pain but the common culprits are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis.

Plantar fasciitis is due to overstretching of the plantar fascia causing multiple microscopic tears along the fibers of the fascia. The plantar fascia is a strong connective tissue located underneath the foot. It attaches below the calcaneous or heel bone to the digits of the foot. The plantar fascia plays a vital role in maintaining the arch of the foot; hence, this structure is constantly under stress.

Achilles tendinitis, on the other hand, is due to injury of the Achilles tendon causing heel pain behind the foot. The Achilles tendon attaches behind the heel bone to the calf muscles above. Achilles tendinitis is particularly common among women who use improper foot wear such as high heels.

Heel Pain Symptoms

Typical pain for plantar fasciitis is felt when a person gets out of bed, taking their first steps in the morning. Usually, a stabbing sharp pain is felt at the bottom or front of the heel. This also holds true for Achilles tendinitis but pain is felt at the back of the heel.

The pain will diminish throughout the day as the tendons and muscles adjust and adapt to the swelling. Unfortunately, after periods of rest, the heel pain can return sharper and stronger. During rest, the ligaments of the foot will tighten and shorten. When we get up, the foot receives the full weight of our body and the sudden stretching of the ligaments is the cause of the stabbing pain.

The best way to treat any type of acute heel pain is the RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate) method. If pain persists, it is very important to have your foot checked by a podiatrist.