Heel pain can be a common problem that people of all ages experience. The heel consists of soft tissue, muscles and bones. There are many factors that can lead to heel pain and you need to make sure that you practice good habits and improve your foot health to prevent this.
If you have been experiencing heel pain for some time, it is best to visit podiatry Malvern so that you can get the treatment you need. You should never ignore foot pain as this can lead to more long term damage. When you visit the podiatrist, they will come up with a treatment for heel pain after determining the underlying cause. Some of the treatments that will be recommended are resting the affected foot and applying ice, carrying out stretching and strengthening exercises and using orthotics and shoe inserts for additional cushioning. Medication and surgery may also be recommended in certain cases. Plantar fasciitis can cause heel pain. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue connecting the heel bone to your toes. Overuse or repetitive movements like standing or walking for long periods on hard surfaces can lead to inflammation of the plantar fascia. And when this happens, you will feel pain in the arch or heel of the foot. You will generally feel this when taking the first few steps when you wake up in the morning.
Heel spurs
Can result from plantar fasciitis and these are bony growths that can form on the heel bone. This will also occur when you are walking or standing for an extended period of time. You will feel a lot of pain and discomfort as a result. When there is inflammation of the Achilles tendon, you will experience a condition called Achilles tendinitis. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone and when you overuse it or when there is repetitive strain due to running or jumping, it can become inflamed. When this happens, you will feel pain and stiffness in the calf or the heel. You will feel the pain more in the morning and after extended rest. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs due to compression of the tibial nerve. In addition to heel pain, it can also lead to numbness of the heel or foot.
When there is heel pain in children and adolescents,
This is generally due to inflammation in the growth plate that is in the heel bone. This is called Sever’s disease and it is a common condition arising from overuse or repetitive strain. If your child is playing sports, this is something that they can experience. They will feel heel pain when they are engaged in physical activity. Stress fractures can also lead to heel pain and these are small cracks in the bone that can be caused by repetitive stress. You will generally feel this pain when you are engaged in physical activity. Another condition that can arise because of repetitive stress is Bursitis. The bursa is a small fluid filled sac that provides cushioning to the joints. And when it becomes inflamed, it can lead to swelling and pain in the heel or foot.
