Anxiety In The Heels

It is common for foot and ankle pain to be caused by a number of conditions, including plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. If you ignore and don't treat heel pain, you can develop chronic problems that may take longer to recover. Rest, orthotics, and stretching ease heel pain over time. Surgery is rarely necessary for heel pain.

Why do heels hurt?

Many conditions can cause heel pain, including:

Chronic heel pain, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis.
Physiasis plantaris.
Tendonitis or tendinosis of the Achilles tendon or flexor tendon.
Spurs are on the bones.
There are also children with Sever's disease (mostly between 8-14 years old).
Irritable disks.
Broken bones caused by stress.
Tendon inflammation.

An evaluation by a medical professional is imperative to identifying the exact cause of your heel pain and starting a treatment regimen accordingly.

In addition to making it difficult for you to walk, heel pain can even restrict you from taking part in daily activities. Fortunately, you can alleviate most heel pain without surgery, but you will need to allow your body time to heal.

What is the frequency of heel pain?

The problem affects people of all ages and genders, and approximately 2 million Americans experience heel pain each year.

Can heel pain be caused by anything?

In most cases, you will feel heel pain in one of the following places:

Ankle-deep.
A heel beneath.
Heel bones themselves contain this information.

Is there anything that causes heel pain?

There are several causes of back heel pain, including:

Tendinitis of the Achilles: Runners and basketball players are more likely to suffer Achilles tendinitis. Achilles tendinitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon. It connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Tendonitis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the back of the heel.
Asbestos: It can cause bruising-like sensations in the back of the heel and tenderness in the bursae (plural of bursa). Bursitis usually occurs after long periods of standing.
Asthma: Pumps, which have higher heels, can aggravate the bump and the pain caused by chronic inflammation and irritation in the back of the heel.
The severe heel pain associated with Sever's disease (calcaneal apophysitis): A common cause of heel pain in active children from 8 to 14 is Sever's disease, which occurs when the growth plate in the back of the heel is irritated by excessive running and jumping activities.

Under the heel, why is there pain?

Below the heel, pain can be caused by:

Injuries to the bones (contusions): In some cases, you will not notice discoloration on your heel, but when you walk, you will feel tender. Stepping on a hard, sharp object can bruise the fat padding underneath the heel. Stress fractures and Sever's disease may cause pain on the heel's bottom, side, and back.
Fibromyalgia of the foot: Most heel pain is caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition that occurs when the fascia, the connective tissue covering the bottom of the foot, tears or stretches. It is more common in people who jump and run a lot. Treadmills and hard surfaces (such as concrete) are known to irritate the skin.
Bony growths (heel spurs): The heel bone can form a bony growth (heel spur) as a result of chronic plantar fasciitis, although not all heel spurs are painful.

How can heel pain be prevented?

In addition to foot mechanics and foot structure, anything that puts pressure on your foot may cause heel pain.

Heel pain may occur if you:

Having excessive weight (obesity).
You may have flat feet or high arches, or you may have arthritis in your feet and ankles.
Exercise or play sports that require a lot of running and jumping.
Standing for long periods of time, especially on concrete floors, can be tiring.
If your shoes do not have arch support or cushioning, they are improperly fitted.

Pain in the heel is one of the most common symptoms.

You may experience the following symptoms in addition to heel pain, depending on the cause:

The heel has a bony growth.
The skin may become discolored (bruising or redness).
Instability.
Inflammation.
Sensitivity.
Standing up after resting/sitting for a longer period of time causes pain.

Heel pain is diagnosed in what way?

An X-ray may be taken to see if any joints are damaged, if there are fractures or if bone alignment is misaligned. Your healthcare provider will assess your symptoms and conduct a physical exam.

Soft tissue problems can sometimes be detected with an MRI or ultrasound, which X-rays can't detect.

How does heel pain cause complications?

An inactive lifestyle leads to weight gain, and being unable to do the things you love may lead to depression. Heel pain can make it difficult to work, exercise and do your daily tasks. When it hurts to move, you may become sedentary.

A ruptured or torn Achilles tendon may need surgery if left untreated. Achilles tendonitis can be treated with an anti-inflammatory.

What is the treatment for heel pain?

There are nonsurgical treatments available for most heel pain problems that alleviate pain and inflammation, improve foot flexibility, and minimize stress and strain on the heel.

Medications: When given for tendon problems, steroid injections are rarely, if ever, recommended, however, plantar fasciitis and bursitis may certainly benefit from them.
Orthotics: Custom-made or over-the-counter shoe inserts (orthotics) can reduce heel pressure. A walking boot may be necessary for those with more severe symptoms, and some people find relief by wearing a splint at night. You may also need to wear more supportive shoes during everyday activities.
Anti-inflammatory drugs: NSAIDs reduce swelling and pain in conjunction with ice packs.
Therapy: Soft tissue adhesions can be broken up with a massage, physical therapy, and ultrasound therapy.
Exercising: Find out how to stretch your tight tendons and muscles by learning heel stretching exercises from your healthcare provider.
Support tape: Athletic tape or medical tape can be used to support the heel or arch of the foot.

Most causes of heel pain can be treated without surgery.

Can heel pain be prevented?

Keep your foot and heel tendons flexible to prevent heel pain or keep it from returning. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes and stretch regularly to prevent heel pain. Run on softer surfaces and cover fewer miles to prevent running injuries. Runners are especially prone to heel pain.

People with heel pain are likely to have a good prognosis (outlook).

Nonsurgical treatments usually work for heel pain, but they take time. You need to be patient and give your body time to heal. If you return to your usual activities too soon, it can set your recovery back. In rare cases, surgery may be required.

Do I need to see a doctor soon?

In the case of:

Insufficiency of rest or pain relievers to relieve pain after a few weeks.
Walking or moving is difficult due to pain.
Swelling, inflammation, or stiffness in the foot or heel.

Do I have any questions for my doctor?

Consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions:

My heel pain is caused by what?
Can you tell me what treatment would be best for me?
If I get heel pain again, what can I do to prevent it?
Is there any type of symptom that needs to be evaluated more urgently?

The pain in your heels often improves with nonsurgical treatments over time. A healthcare provider can determine the cause of your pain, demonstrate stretching exercises, and recommend orthotics. In many cases, heel pain is ignored and people continue to do activities that worsen it. Nevertheless, it’s imperative that you allow your body to recover. Otherwise, you can develop chronic heel pain that keeps you from doing your normal activities. It is important to get evaluated if you are experiencing heel pain for a long time as treatment for it becomes harder and harder.

You can contact our office at 949-588-8833, or visit our website at https://www.ocfootdoctor.com. Our offices are in Laguna Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, and Costa Mesa.

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🏢Irvine Medical Arts Building 113 Waterworks Way, Suite 250 Irvine, CA 92618

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The information contained above is intended for general reference purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professionals before starting any new treatment. Health information on this website MUST NOT be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of your doctor.