Heel Pain Causes

Heel pain that affects the back of the foot can disrupt day-to-day activities such as walking or standing. Heel pain is typically marked by swelling, and numbness or a tingling sensation in the affected area. In most cases, the pain is moderate and tolerable, and appropriate foot care will heal the condition on its own without any medical treatment.

Causes

There are innumerable foot conditions that can cause foot pain. The most common cause is wearing tight or uncomfortable shoes, and prolonged walking or standing. Overweight and obese people are likely to suffer from heel pain as the extra pounds put excessive stress and load on the feet. Other causes are discussed below:

Plantar Fasciitis
90% of people with heel pain are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue located at the bottom of the foot. This ligament, that is an important part of the sole of the foot, runs from the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fascia is quite a flexible ligament that can stretch whenever required. When this thick fibrous band, originating from the heel bone, becomes inflamed, it causes heel pain. More specifically, the part of plantar fascia that lies beneath the heel bone shows inflammation. Overuse of the foot, that is common among athletes, often leads to plantar fasciitis. Excessive or abnormal stretching of plantar fascia can cause inflammation of this ligament and activities like running or walking can be quite painful. Ignoring warm up exercises before running can trigger plantar fasciitis, that causes pain beneath the heel.

Achilles Tendonitis
The achilles tendon that runs from the calf muscle to the heel bone is the biggest tendon found in our body. This tendon assists the toes to support body weight. In achilles tendonitis, the area where this fibrous tissue (achilles tendon) connects the heel bone becomes inflamed, and the person experiences pain behind the heel.

Achilles Tendon Tear or Rupture
Overstretching the achilles tendon during any physical activity may damage this fibrous tissue. An abnormal stretch often causes sudden rupture or tear of the achilles tendon that can lead to swelling of the heel. In this condition, standing up on the toes causes excruciating pain that aggravates over time.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs due to compression of posterior tibial nerve. The tibial nerve that branches from the sciatic nerve, runs down the leg and connects to the ankle. The part of the nerve that lies inside the ankle is referred to as posterior tibial nerve. Standing or exercising for a long time puts undue pressure on the ankle. As a result, the posterior tibial nerve of the ankle is subjected to excessive strain, that triggers unbearable shooting pain from behind the heel.

Treatment

Diagnosing the underlying cause is crucial, which can be easily achieved by taking X-rays, or a MRI scan of the affected leg. Some of the common treatment methods that help to provide heel pain relief are given below:

Rest
Physical activities that put strain on the foot can increase heel pain. Running or too much walking must be avoided. Taking rest as much as possible is the key to get rid of this pain.

Ice
Application of ice on the foot sole and behind the injured heel, is an age-old therapy, to combat inflammation and manage pain.

Medications
Medicine that is known to relieve pain is ibuprofen. This is an anti-inflammatory drug that has been quite effective to ease the discomfort.

Corticosteroid Injections
Another way to treat heel pain is the use of corticosteroid injections. This form of treatment helps to speed up healing and reduce the pain considerably.

Wear Proper Shoes
People suffering from heel pain should stay away from shoes that provide very little support to the heel and the ankle.

Orthotics
Orthotics are products that are inserted into the shoes to provide arch support and relieve heel pain. These products provide a cushioning support that alleviate symptoms of underlying foot problem. Orthotics such as gel heel cups help to improve overall health of the foot.

Heel Pain Exercises
Walking barefooted for some time stimulates blood blow in the feet, necessary to lessen the pain. Stretching exercises such as bending the knees with heels in contact with the floor, are also recommended to reduce the pain. These heel pain exercises should be done minimum 2 times in a day to improve the foot condition.

Determining the causes of heel pain is crucial to eliminate this foot problem. In case, the heel pain persists for a few weeks, it may be a symptom of severe foot ailment and hence immediate medical advice is important to diminish the pain at the earliest.