Heel Pain: Causes & Treatment

What is Heel Pain?

The heel is the largest bone in your foot. Heel discomfort may occur if you misuse or harm your heel. This can be minor or incapacitating. If easy home cures don't relieve the pain, you might need to have a doctor or podiatrist diagnose the problem.

Causes of Heel Pain

The plantar fascia, a band of tissue in the foot, is what causes the majority of cases of heel pain when it sustains injury and thickens. The thickening of the plantar fascia is referred to medically as plantar fasciitis.

Obesity, improper shoe fit, running and leaping on hard surfaces, an unusual walking gait, traumas, and certain diseases are all common causes of heel pain, as well.

Causes of Pain Behind the Heel

Back heel pain can be brought on by a number of concerns, including the following:

• Achilles tendon: The fibrous tissue that joins the calf muscle to the heel bone is known as the Achilles tendon, which can become inflamed. The tendon becomes injured by overuse. Upon injury, the back of the heel becomes painful, swollen, and stiff.
• Bursitis: Bursitis happens when the bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs, swell. These sacs provide joint protection and permit easy movement. The back of your heel could feel sore and bruise-like. Bursitis often develops as a result of prolonged standing.
• Haglund's deformity: An enlarged bony hump may develop in the heel's back as a result of ongoing inflammation and irritation. Higher-heeled footwear may exacerbate the pain and bump.
• Sever’s Disease: In active children between the ages of 8 and 14, Sever's disease (calcaneal apophysitis) is a common source of heel pain. Children who engage in sports that include a lot of running and jumping are more likely to experience this issue. The growth plate in the heel's rear becomes irritated due to increased sports activity.

Causes of Pain Beneath the Heel

The following conditions can result in pain beneath the heel:

• Stepping on a hard, pointy object can cause the fat cushioning under the heel to bruise. Even if there is no visible discoloration, walking will cause your heel to feel sore. Both a stress fracture and Sever's disease can result in discomfort that runs along the bottom, side, and back of the heel.
• The most common cause of heel discomfort is by far plantar fasciitis. It happens when the connective tissue called fascia, which runs down the bottom of the foot, stretches or tears. This painful ailment is more likely to occur in those who frequently run and jump. Common irritants include treadmills and hard surfaces used for work or exercise.
• Long-term plantar fasciitis can result in the formation of a bony growth on the heel bone known as a heel spur. Although some people experience pain, heel spurs are typically not uncomfortable.

Symptoms of Heel Pain

Depending on the reason, heel pain can have various symptoms. Together with pain, you could also feel:

• Bony growth on the heel
• Discoloration
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Pain after getting up from a lying-down or seated position