Why heels hurt and what to do about it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Pain cannot be ignored - it can lead to disability.

In most cases, discomfort in the heel does not require urgent medical attention. But there are exceptions.

When you need to see a doctor as soon as possible

Immediately Heel Pain go to the emergency room, or even call an ambulance if:

• severe, sharp pain in the heel immediately after the injury;
• you are in severe pain and notice that there is obvious swelling in the heel area;
• you cannot stretch your foot, stand on your leg, or walk normally;
• pain (not even acute) in the heel is accompanied by fever, numbness and palpable tingling in the foot.

If you do not have symptoms of an emergency, we will figure out what could lead to discomfort.

Why do heels hurt?

The most common cause of Heel Pain is excessive physical exertion on the foot. It is most common in those who:

• is overweight;
• spends a lot of time standing (for example, working at the counter);
• has flat feet;
• carries heaviness;
• is engaged in jogging or other physical activity in uncomfortable shoes with poor shock absorption;
• Wears very tight shoes, and shoes with inappropriate last, instep or too high heels.

Any of these situations can lead to the fact that soft tissues are squeezed in the foot or nerve endings are pinched. And this reverberates with pain that occurs immediately after physical exertion or walking in uncomfortable shoes.

Such pain is not dangerous. In most cases, it goes away by itself and only encourages you to be more attentive to your feet: not to torture your feet with excessive loads or uncomfortable shoes.

However, sometimes serious injuries can be the cause of painful sensations. Or developed against the background of constant stress or other factors of the disease.

1. Fracture

The calcaneus is the largest in the foot. It is very strong and can withstand heavy loads. But if you decide to jump from a height and land on straight legs, the blow may be too strong, the bone will crack. The fracture is accompanied by a slight crunch and makes itself felt with acute pain, swelling, inability to step on the foot. Such an injury requires immediate medical attention.

2. Plantar fasciitis

This is the name of inflammation of the flat ligament (fascia) that connects the calcaneus to the bases of the fingers. As a rule, fasciitis occurs due to regular sprains and loads on the foot, which cause permanent micro-tears of the ligament.

Fasciitis can be recognized by several characteristic features:

• pain is localized between the arch of the foot and the heel itself;
• if you are standing, it is difficult and painful for you to lift your fingers off the floor;
• the pain subsides when you lie down or sit, and gets worse as soon as you start walking.

3. Tendonitis of the Achilles tendon

Grasp the heel with two fingers, and then slide them up to the calf. Just above the heel, at the thinnest part of your leg, you will feel it - the Achilles tendon.

It is considered the strongest and most durable tendon in the human body. However, its resource is not endless. With age, the tendon loses its elasticity, becomes less strong. Because of this, under loads, micro-ruptures appear in it, which lead to the development of inflammation - tendinitis.

Achilles tendinitis often occurs in people over the age of 40 who suddenly decide to start running. Also, inflammation can be provoked by flat feet, the habit of playing sports without a preliminary warm-up, or prolonged, long-term wearing of uncomfortable shoes.

You can suggest tendonitis by the following symptoms:

• you have pain not only in your heels, but also in your ankles;
• when trying to stand on tiptoe, the pain also covers the calf muscles.

4. Calcaneal bursitis

Bursitis (from lat.bursa - a bag) is called inflammation of the periarticular bags (burs) - capsules with fluids that surround the joints. There are three such bags in the heel area. One is located where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone. The second is between the heel bone and the skin of the sole of the foot. The third is between the Achilles tendon and the skin. Inflammation of any of these burs is called calcaneal bursitis.

It is provoked by various factors. So, calcaneal bursitis is considered an occupational disease of athletes - the same football players or athletes who overload their legs and often get injured. Inflammation also develops in women who have been walking in uncomfortable shoes with thin and long heels for years. However, an infection that has got into the periarticular bags sometimes leads to bursitis.

You can recognize bursitis by a dull aching pain in the heel and just above, in the lower part of the Achilles tendon.

5. Other diseases

In rare cases, Heel Pain can cause heel pain:

• rheumatoid and reactive arthritis;
• gout;
• osteomyelitis (bone infection);
• bone swelling;
• sarcoidosis.

What to do if heels hurt

The nature of the pain is important. If it appears only occasionally, after exercise or long walks in uncomfortable shoes, it is likely that it can be dealt with at home. Experts from the reputable medical resource Mayo Clinic recommend doing this.

• Rest your legs. Avoid activities that increase the load on the heels: try not to run, do not lift heavy things, do not stand in one place for too long.
• To reduce pain, apply something cold to your heels. For example, a bag of ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a thin napkin. Repeat the procedure three times a day for 15–20 minutes until the discomfort disappears.
• Choose the most comfortable shoes. It should not put pressure, but it must provide good shock absorption when walking. And it would be nice if the heel has a height of no more than 2.5 cm.
• If the pain keeps you on your toes, take an over-the-counter pain reliever. For example, based on ibuprofen.

If the heels hurt constantly for two or more weeks, and the discomfort does not subside, even when you are lying, contact a therapist, traumatologist or orthopedist. A specialist consultation is necessary to rule out possible diseases of the foot. The doctor will find out what exactly is the cause of the lingering pain and prescribe the necessary treatment.

It can include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and even surgery. However, the last point is used only in the most extreme cases. You will most likely be able to get rid of the pain with less sophisticated methods. Just do not delay your visit to the doctor.