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.

What’s Causing Your Heel Pain

Every time you walk, jog or lift weights, you put a lot of stress on your feet. Actually, the feet can handle a lot of stress but of course there are times that some structures of may give in and get injured causing mild to severe heel pain.

 When you pound your foot while playing sports or walk long hours using wrong footwear, this can injure the deep tissues of the foot, making it sore. Usually, allowing the foot to rest is enough for it to heal. However, many individuals ignore the early signs of heel pain and continue their daily activities. Doing so will introduce more injury to the foot which could lead to chronic heel pain.

Diagnosing Heel Pain

 If you experience any heel pain whether it’s mild or severe, see your doctor right away and get treatment. There are many causes of heel pain and a doctor will ask you the exact location of the pain and how long you had it. Your doctor will also examine your foot, look for signs of tenderness and swelling, and do some physical tests (walk or stand on one foot) to determine the cause of heel pain.

Types Of Heel Pain

Generally, the cause of heel pain fall into two categories: Pain under the heel and behind the heel.

Pain Under the Heel

If pain originates beneath the feet, it can be due to one or more of the following:

1.       Plantar fasciitis – this is one of the common cause of chronic heel pain under the foot. This is  swelling of the pantar fascia, a strong fibrous tissue that maintains the arch of the foot.

2.       Stone bruise – typically due to bruising of the fat pads of the foot when stepping on a hard object like a rock or stone.  Pain goes away gradually with rest.

3.       Heel Spur – Usually due to chronic plantar fasciitis. Continued injury to the plantar fascia may form a bony protrusion under the calcaneus bone causing severe foot pain.

Pain Behind the Heel

            Pain occurring behind the foot is due injury of the Achilles tendon which is called Achilles tendinitis.