Our heels are an important part of the foot. With their help, the support of the body is created, the tension that occurs during any physical activity becomes weaker. Thanks to this part, the spine is protected.

The heel bone is quite large, but it is most susceptible to various injuries compared to other bones. Blood vessels, tendons and nerve fibers also pass through this area.

Many are interested in why the heel hurts? There are many reasons for this, including the development of diseases. When walking, pain may occur:

• due to excess weight;
• thinning of the subcutaneous layer of the heel region;
• use of uncomfortable shoes;
• daily jogging long distances;
• prolonged standing.

Sometimes the heel hurts when walking under the influence of systemic diseases. One example is rheumatoid arthritis. This is a serious joint disease that can lead to various complications. The pains appear first when walking, then become constant.

Another reason is Bechterew's disease, when severe pain is felt in the calcaneus that it becomes impossible to stand. Pathology can also occur due to the accumulation of uric acid salts, which cause acute sensations and swelling.

Sometimes discomfort is not associated with any specific problem, but against the background of psychological problems. The pain in this case is real, but has no physiological pathologies.

Among the prerequisites there are infectious diseases:

• reactive arthritis. The provoking factors are infectious diseases with a latent form.
• tuberculosis of the bone. Purulent formations appear, the bone substance loses its properties. Because of this, foot deformity and lameness occur.
• Osteomyelitis of the heel. It consists in inflammation of the constituent areas of the bone tissue.

The prerequisites can also be traumatic. In such situations, we are talking about stretching the tendons and their rupture, bruises of the heel zone. In the latter case, connective tissues also become inflamed. With fractures, deformation of the foot is noted, bruising appears.

With heel pain, causes and treatment are closely related. The doctor makes appointments after conducting research, collecting an anamnesis and studying symptoms.

The main prerequisite for the appearance of pain in the foot in children is Schinz's disease. It was noticed that in girls more often the heel hurts up to eight years, in boys - up to 10. The main symptom of the disease is pain, which is localized on the back of the heel. This pathology leads to persistent malnutrition of the bone tissue of the foot with blood.

In childhood, diseases can also be associated with flat feet. If you do not start correcting the problem in a timely manner, there is a high probability of a curvature of the spine, which provokes the appearance of pain.

There are several types of foot pain:

• Aching. This pattern of soreness is often associated with rapid weight gain. It often occurs in pregnant women who walk in a high platform or heels. The reason for the occurrence of aching pain in the heel can be a disease such as fasciitis. This is an inflammation of the ligaments that hold the bones in the correct position.
• Acute. Occurs with a fracture of the bone in the heel, severe bruises.
• Pulsating. Occurs against the background of the development of a bacterial or fungal infection.
• Pulling. It can be both temporary and temporary. Appears in violation of the ligaments, inflammatory processes.

In pregnant women, heel pain when walking can appear an hour after the start of movement. More often appears in the evening, after childbirth passes. Sometimes a woman in position does not experience discomfort, but after delivery it becomes very difficult to walk. The doctor may suspect damage to the lumbar nerve.

If the foot hurts after sleep, we can assume the appearance of a spur. She sometimes begins to disturb at night, causing insomnia.

Diagnostics

At the initial appointment, the doctor conducts a general examination. An x-ray is enough to detect an injury, spur, or fasciitis. If the left heel or right heel hurts, an ultrasound may be used. It allows you to identify the inflammatory process in the tissues, the presence of formations.

These methods are not effective in all cases. An MRI is used to determine problems associated with the Achilles tendon. If systemic diseases are suspected, the attending physician may involve highly specialized doctors. For example, a biochemical blood test is prescribed to detect rheumatoid arthritis. It is also needed in cases of suspected diabetes mellitus.

After identifying the cause of heel pain, medication, surgery, or alternative treatment can be prescribed. In any case, you should limit the mobility of the leg, try to walk less until the moment of complete recovery.

Pain in the right or left heel can be eliminated with an ice massage, which is replaced by heating. In the early days, it is recommended to do this procedure up to 4 times a day. The total exposure time can be up to 7 minutes.

If your heel hurts after running, use arch supports or special heels during exercise. They are sold in a pharmacy, they allow you to remove the load that occurs on the affected area.

You should definitely seek medical help if:

• symptoms do not go away within a week;
• there is swelling in the foot area;
• in addition to pain, there is numbness;
• each movement leads to the spread of unpleasant sensations throughout the limb.

If the heel bone hurts while walking, external treatments can be prescribed: various ointments, gels and creams. Among the effective means are:

• Ketorol. The composition contains a component that quickly relieves inflammation. You can apply the product three times a day.
• Indomethacin. Suitable for both pain relief and after surgery. The advantages include the fact that the agent is not absorbed into the local bloodstream.
• Betadion. Helps with diseases such as gout, arthritis, heel spurs. Rub the product until complete absorption should not be. After application, a thin film of the drug remains on the surface of the dermis.

• mud applications;
• baths with minerals;
• drug injections.

If you focus on only one type of treatment, then the likelihood of a systemic effect decreases. If the legs above the heel or the foot itself hurt, the doctor may prescribe steroid injections. They are effective if conservative methods do not bring the desired result.

In addition, shock wave therapy can be used. The effect is achieved through the use of special equipment. With its help, high-energy sound waves are applied through the skin in the painful area of ​​the foot. Effective methods are UHF, laser treatment and magnetotherapy. To ensure a faster recovery, it is recommended to carry out therapeutic exercises, focus on massage sessions and swimming.

If you understand exactly why your heels hurt when walking, you can choose the most convenient method of treatment for yourself. In the presence of spurs or cracks leading to pain, baths with furacilin help. The procedure will require 2 tablets, a little apple cider vinegar and honey. Legs should be steamed for 20-30 minutes. After steaming, a clay cake is applied, which is wrapped with a cloth.

Removes inflammation and swelling in the heel area black radish. It must be grated. Compresses are made for the whole night. The course of treatment is selected on an individual basis until the symptoms are completely eliminated. The same effect helps if there is pain over the heel.

In the pharmacy you can buy cinnamon tincture. It must be drunk three times a day for 20 days. To prepare the solution, 1 tablespoon is taken, which is diluted in 1/3 cup of water. If necessary, the course of treatment can be repeated.

Make your own walnut tincture. The tool is prepared with 20 gr. crushed nuts, filled with a glass of vodka. This mixture should be infused for 10 days. After that, a 10% medicine is drunk 1 large spoon three times a day.

If you don't know why your heels hurt after walking for a long time, the problem may be related to a fungal heel infection. To eliminate discomfort, the area is treated with potassium permanganate or iodine solution twice a day.

With severe and pulling pain, a compress with propolis will help to cope with the problem. Gauze is impregnated with infusion, polyethylene is applied on top. The leg should be wrapped in a warm scarf. After 20-30 minutes, the compress is removed.

Many heel injuries are accompanied by heat and swelling. Cabbage leaf showed high efficiency. It must be pierced with a fork in several places at once, then bandaged to the leg.

Other foot treatments

It was mentioned above that pain in the heel area can appear with fasciitis. Its treatment occurs using a wide range of approaches. You can get radiation therapy. A good effect is achieved through the use of a special tire, which is applied at night. This approach allows you to keep the Achilles tendon in the desired position.

If the ailment associated with pain in the heel region does not go away for more than a year, and all other methods of treatment have been ineffective, surgical treatment is used. It is also needed to remove the spur from the calcaneus.

• Place your feet on the surface one after the other. Palms should rest against the wall. Make sure that the injured leg is at the back. Start slowly squatting, focusing on a healthy limb. This should be done until you feel that there is a stretching of the muscles behind the lower leg.
• Stand on a slight rise so that your heels hang down. Begin to rise on your toe, returning to the starting position. The procedure is repeated 15 times.
• The next exercise is done with a rolling pin or a bottle. They are placed on the floor, feet are placed on top. Start rolling the bottle so that the entire arch of the foot is involved.

Follow the preventive measures:

• Give your feet a good rest. They should not be overloaded.
• It is not recommended to walk barefoot on the floor. Slippers should be with a soft back, a good arch support. Sports shoes are more suitable for street walks.
• If you have flat feet, then get special insoles. To achieve a therapeutic effect in children, special shoes are used.
• Try to reduce weight to normal values. This will reduce the constant load on the foot.

The fewest problems with the feet occur in people who are moderately engaged in physical activity. Give preference to calm cycling and water procedures.

Pain in the heels during walking, simply stepping on the foot, or even at rest can occur for a variety of reasons. Pathology does not have a specific age or gender, that is, it can affect both children and adults, both men and women. This fact depends entirely on the source of the disease, such as trauma, chronic pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, oncological malformations, pathologies of the central nervous system, and allergic reactions.

In addition to this list of reasons, there is a metabolic disorder, a change in the water-salt balance, infections, physiological anomalies that are inherited, as well as increased physical activity. Timely familiarization with the information will help to prevent the occurrence of such a disease: heel pain when walking - causes, treatment, as well as prevention and correction of a nutritious diet.

All the causes leading to the pathology of the inflammatory or destructive nature of the heel can be divided into 3 groups: exogenous, endogenous plus combined types. External factors include any injury to the lower extremities (especially the joints of the foot). Violation of the integrity of the ligamentary system surrounding the cuboid bone of the foot with the involvement of the skin, fiber and muscles, as well as some post-traumatic complications lead to constant pain in one or both heels.

Extreme physical activity, constant vertical pressure on the lower extremities, complex sports exercises during training, as well as work associated with a certain position of the heels with fascia overstrain are serious reasons for the development of foot pathologies, accompanied by pain both when walking and at rest. .

Important! Problematic shoes, that is, shoes with high heels that are not suitable in size, lead to the development of foot pathologies. If this oversight is not corrected, the process goes into a chronic phase. The pain syndrome of which does not go away without the administration of analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and in extreme cases without surgical intervention.

Pain in the legs can be the result of inflammation, infection of the systems and organs of the human body. Most often, pain is provoked by diseases of the musculoskeletal system, metabolic disorders, endocrine pathologies. Malignant tumors with metastasis in the bones or ligaments of the foot are also causes of heel pain.

The endogenous type of causes is:

• Heel spur or plantar fasciitis.
• Arthritis.
• Arthritis-arthrosis.
• Deforming arthritis-arthrosis.
• Bursitis.
• Achilles.
• Diseases of the spine.
• reactive arthritis.
• Infections.
• Gout.
• Obesity.
• Diabetes.
• thyrotoxicosis.
• Tuberculosis.

If in parallel the patient suffers from one of the above pathologies, and at the same time received a foot injury in the form of a bruise, crack, rupture or compression of the anatomical components of the foot, then these causes of heel pain are of the combined type.

Common causes of heel pain when walking

Pain when stepping on the foot is the result of an inflammatory, destructive or abnormal phenomenon occurring in the structure of the anatomical elements of the lower segment of the musculoskeletal structure of the lower extremities (mainly the foot). There is a whole list of factors that cause pathology, in which the motor function is partially or completely limited.

Attention! Many causes, such as fasciitis, Achilles, rheumatism, gout, lead to lifelong disability, therefore, at the first symptoms, you should immediately be examined in specialized medical centers, and immediately begin treatment!

Heel spur (plantar fasciitis)

Plantar fasciitis or heel spur is a pathological process of the connective tissue fascia (ligament) of an inflammatory-destructive nature. The plantar fibrous ligament binds and strengthens the constituent elements of the sole. This arch maintains the stability of the foot in all types of motor function, the main load falls on it when walking, running or in an upright position. After an injury, stretching of the plantar fascia, inflammation begins. This reaction generates a sharp pain on movement, which is worse in the morning. The diagnosis is made on the basis of anamnesis, instrumental examination (radiography in three projections, ultrasound, MRI).

Overstretching the fascia

Prolonged tension of the plantar fascia leads to its inflammation. The cause of overexertion can be long walking, high jumps, injuries. The pathological process is bilateral. It is manifested by swelling + pain during movement, limitation of motor functions, it is almost impossible to step on the feet.

It resolves after the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the cessation of physical activity. Degenerative-inflammatory processes in the fascia of the sole of the foot develop only after strong blows, untimely treatment, cracks in the ligaments.

Bursitis

Inflammatory reaction in the synovial bag of the foot joint with involvement of the cuboid bone gives a clinical picture of bursitis. Clinically, bursitis is manifested by swelling, redness, and soreness of the affected limb. The edematous fluid seeps through the soft tissues, violating all the anatomical boundaries of the foot.

The movement is completely paralyzed, when trying to step on the foot, an unbearable sharp pain appears. On palpation of the affected locomotor organ, pastosity + elevated temperature is felt. Passing into the chronic stage, the swelling of the heel thickens. It is necessary to treat the pathology in stationary conditions, if the process is accompanied by microbial flora, an operation is necessary with the sanitation of the focus through arthroscopy, with further use of antimicrobial therapy.

Achilles

Inflammation in the Achilles ligament occurs after exhausting exercise of the calf muscle. This reaction occurs after running, jumping, wearing uncomfortable shoes with high heels or flats. The pain syndrome is localized throughout the gastrocnemius muscle with irradiation to the heel region. The limb is edematous and erythematous, hypersensitivity of the skin is noted throughout the affected area. The leg loses its motor function.

Attention! If the Achilles ligament is torn, a crackling sound is heard, the pain is unbearable-sharp. There is swelling with a bluish tint after bruising. In this case, immediate medical attention is needed.

Diseases of the spine

The destructive reaction of one's own immunity to chondrocytes, collagen or connective tissue cells leads to ossification of the articular structures of the spinal column. This pathology is called Bechterew's disease or ankylosing spondylarthrosis. Joint fusion occurs not only in the intervertebral discs, but also in other locomotor organs.

Losing their flexibility + mobility, there is a violation of posture with pain reactions during any motor operations. Ankylosing spondylitis is characterized by pain in the heels of both feet. At the first signs of pathology, it is necessary to be examined by an arthrologist, allergist or rheumatologist. Treatment is carried out under the supervision of a doctor with regular laboratory tests.

Rheumatoid arthritis

For rheumatoid arthritis, pain in the heels is not the main symptom, this disease often affects the small joints of the hands. If the pathology affects the joints of the feet, then the pain appears not only in the heels, but along the entire perimeter of the feet. The clinical picture of reactive arthritis is limited movement, constant pain in the heels, swelling of the locomotor organs.

The disease is characterized by remissions and exacerbations. Exacerbation is manifested by general weakness, fatigue, weight loss. The cause of reactive arthritis is an increased immune reactivity of the body to its own tissues. It is detected in the laboratory, by a blood test for rheumatoid-type immunoglobulins. Treatment is carried out in stationary conditions according to an individual scheme.

infections

Common causes for the occurrence of pain in the heel zone can be infectious pathologies. Toxins of microbes or viruses act destructively on the connective tissue system. They are deposited in the cartilaginous tissue, corroding it. Muscle tissue, skin and adipose tissue join the inflammation process. Swelling of the joints occurs in the chronic stage.

List of infectious pathologies by systems:

• Infections of the genitourinary system (chlamydia, gonorrhea, ureaplasmosis, syphilis).
• Infectious pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (dysentery, hepatitis, yersineosis, salmonellosis).
• Purulent-destructive bone infections (osteomyelitis, tuberculosis).

All infections have individual symptoms, which are confirmed by laboratory tests after a general blood test, inoculation on agar-agar medium for the detection of an infectious agent. These diseases have a common feature: bilateral heel pain. The exceptions are osteomyelitis and tuberculosis, a purulent process with destruction of bone tissue develops only on one side. Therapeutic tactics depend on the infectious agent, as well as on the depth of the lesion of the joint or plantar ligament.

Gout

Gout is a deposit of uric acid salts or urates in the joints, due to impaired kidney function. It often occurs as a result of inflammatory infections, injuries, concomitant diseases of organs and systems, after which the mechanism of formation of kidney stones is triggered. Urates destroy cartilaginous plates, affecting nearby tissues up to the ligamentary system.

Unbearable pain in the heels, swelling of the joints, erythema, fever, weakness are the main symptoms of the disease. Pain attacks are aggravated at night, subside in the morning. Patients complain of restriction of movement and hypersensitivity of the skin. In parallel, the ankle, knee + joints of the fingers are affected.

Problematic shoes

Narrow, squeezing shoes, high heels, flat shoes with flat feet are a source of pain in the heel region. After eliminating these causes, the pain disappears forever. If there is a diagnosis of flat feet in the anamnesis, orthopedic insoles should be used.

Heel bruises

A strong blow during a fall in height leads to a bruise of the calcaneus. The lesion process can be unilateral or bilateral. As a result of landing on the heels, sharp burning pains under the heel or a feeling of a stuck nail appear. The motor function of the foot is paralyzed due to edema + hematoma. When you try to step on your heels, the pain intensifies. She is being administered with analgesics. After the x-ray, the patient is prescribed appropriate treatment.

Obesity

A lot of weight is directly related to the pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, since the vertical load falls precisely on the lower limbs. Excess weight affects the joints of the legs, and more specifically the ankle joints and feet. In obese patients, heel pain with swelling of the feet is constantly observed. The cuboid bone is under constant pressure, the arched fascia becomes thinner, the fat layer disappears. Losing weight, patients feel relief with the subsidence of pain in the heels. Function + joint fat layer gradually returns to normal.

Long stay on your feet

The plantar fascia performs a supporting function, forming the arch of the foot. Its task is depreciation when running and walking.

A long stay in an upright position with weight lifting gives rise to the inflammatory process of the ligamentary arch. Pain appears due to degenerative + inflammatory reactions in the ligaments of the sole after micro-ruptures or cracks.

Atrophy of the subcutaneous fat pad in the heel

The subcutaneous adipose tissue in the heel area is a protective cushion when walking. It protects the fascia from impact or abrasion. If fatty tissue disappears due to trauma, intoxication or cachexia, it will be very painful to step on the heels, the plantar fascia will become inflamed due to constant injury when walking. Such a pathology is treated only by surgery, in which the fat pad is replaced with a graft of artificial or human origin.

Tumors

Osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma are malignant tumors of bone tissue. According to statistics, they rarely affect the joints of the feet. They are characterized by swelling and pain when walking. Bone fractures due to tumor growth happen all the time, so patients with this diagnosis need to be extremely careful with any leg movements. A network of dilated blood vessels develops over the tumor, often bursting and bruising. Therapeutic tactics consists of chemotherapy + surgery with amputation of the diseased organ.

Situational causes

Heel pain does not only occur after infections, injuries, fractures, or swelling. There are a number of situational factors that cause discomfort when walking or at rest. These factors include anomalies in the development of bones, ligaments and ligaments, as well as neuropathy.

List of situational causes :

Pathology	Short description
Sever's disease	At a young age, when ossification and stabilization of the articular structure is not completed, the cuboid bone ruptures between the apophyseal zone and the body. In this area, an inflammatory process begins with constant heel pain, which increases with fast walking or running. Patients feel discomfort when standing on their toes. The calf muscle is constantly tense. On examination, edema + erythematosus is visible.
neuropathy	Inflammation of the tibial nerve leads to a violation of the innervation of the foot. It manifests itself in the form of hypersensitivity of the skin, convulsive flexion of the feet + fingers, rotation of the locomotor organ in the inner side is difficult. The chronic process starts the mechanism of development of trophic ulcers, destruction of the anatomical structure of the joint.
Osteochondropathy	Gaglund-Schinz disease is an abnormal development of the calcaneal tuberosity. A neglected pathology leads to aseptic necrosis of the spongy tissue of the cuboid bone. Patients experience acute pain when walking or standing upright. The gait changes, patients try to spare their feet, without a cane or crutches, movement is almost impossible. Gradually, atrophic changes in the skin, pastosity and hypersensitivity appear. Plus, muscle atrophy joins these symptoms.

These pathologies can be prevented if preventive measures or timely treatment are carried out. X-ray of the feet detects these diseases in the early stages, so if pain in the heels appears, this study should be performed once every three months and treated.

When should you visit a doctor?

With the appearance of minor pain in the heels, you do not need to self-medicate, but immediately contact your doctor at the place of residence. After carrying out diagnostic measures, the main cause of the pathology will be clarified and the correct methodology of therapeutic therapy will be established: conservative or surgical, depending on the depth of the lesion + concomitant diseases.

Diagnosing the causes of heel pain

Diagnostic examination consists of three points: visual examination, laboratory tests and instrumental studies using cutting-edge equipment. Visual examination + palpation shows the degree of joint damage: swelling, redness of the feet, neuropathy, sensitivity, motor dysfunction of the feet, the presence of fistulas and purulent infection.

A blood test shows leukocytosis, anemia, ESR, normal uric acid, the presence of onco-markers and a rheumatoid agent.

Sowing scrapings of the urethra, oral mucosa makes it possible to identify chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, tuberculosis. Stool and urine tests are performed to detect intestinal pathogenic microbes. Often a puncture of the diseased joint is done. X-ray examination of the diseased joint in three projections, MRI, ultrasound, computed tomography are instrumental studies. Arthroscopy is not only a research method, but also a treatment option. The exact plan of examination depends on the age of the patient, on concomitant diseases and on the urgency of establishing a diagnosis.

Treatment for heel pain

Therapeutic methods of treatment depend on the main cause of the pathology. Diseases such as heel spurs, arthritis, arthrosis-arthrosis, deforming arthritis-arthrosis, bursitis, achilles - have a common treatment regimen, namely:

• elimination of pain through analgesics (Analgin, Baralgin);
• NSAIDs (Diclofenac, Dicloberl, Movalis, Nimesil);
• desensitizers (Diphenhydramine, Tavegil, Suprastin);
• novocaine blockade of the heels;
• muscle relaxants;
• immunosuppressants (for reactive arthritis);
• chondroprotectors (Chondroxide, Chondrolon);
• vitamin therapy (B, A, D, E).

To the list of treatment is added physiotherapy with shock wave + laser therapy, massage procedures, baths with saline solutions, mud therapy. In case of ineffectiveness of conservative treatment resort to surgical intervention. If pathologies of infectious etiology are added to the list of causes, then the treatment regimen is completely different. Each type of infection is treated with antibiotics, they are prescribed after blood cultures for sensitivity to one of the drugs. Oncology of the feet is eliminated promptly or with chemotherapy drugs (Leikeran). With obesity, a special diet for weight loss is necessary, and for gout, drugs are prescribed that lower uric acid in the blood + NSAIDs.

How to eliminate pain at home on your own?

To quickly reduce severe heel pain, you can apply a piece of ice to the aching place and hold the cold for 20-30 minutes. The heel, soft tissues surrounding the foot and above it must be rubbed with an anti-inflammatory gel (Fastum-gel, Feloran, Diclofenac). If pain in the heels torments for a long time, and it is impossible to eliminate it on your own, seek qualified help from an arthrologist or surgeon.

Forecast and prevention

Heel pain, depending on the source of its origin, has a comforting prognosis, that is, when the underlying pathology is eliminated, the pain disappears forever. The locomotor organ after conservative or surgical treatment acquires the former motor function of movement. In order to exclude this pathology, it is necessary to take preventive measures, namely:

1. The fight against excess weight.
2. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
3. Wear comfortable shoes (special shoes are recommended for flat feet).
4. Performing a set of exercises for the legs.
5. Reducing physical activity.
6. During work related to the vertical position of the body, you need to take breaks from performing exercises for the feet.

Preventive measures include timely examination by a doctor at the place of residence, and the administration of prescribed medications. Spa treatment is one of the important points in the prevention of heel pain.

Disease of the lower extremities leads to disability. Pain in the heel is an alarming sign, they can be the result of serious pathologies such as fascia, bursitis, tendonitis, destructive arthrosis, osteomyelitis, tuberculosis or cancer. Therefore, such pain should not be ignored, but examined in a timely manner. A quick response to this alarming symptom will exclude complications and disability. To do this, you need to be aware and know everything about: pain in the heel when walking - causes, treatment.

Heel pain, the causes and treatment of which we will discuss below, can be of a different nature and indicate different diseases. Today we will tell you about why such unpleasant sensations occur in certain people, as well as how you can get rid of them.

How to identify causes?

"Heels hurt in the morning" - patients often turn to their doctors with such a complaint. It should be noted that in the absence of a proper medical examination, it is rather difficult to name the true cause of this deviation. After all, discomfort in the legs can cause completely different diseases, as well as banal fatigue after a long walk.

So how do you know why a person regularly experiences severe heel pain? The causes and treatment of this deviation should be determined and prescribed only by a doctor. First, you should contact the therapist, who in the future can refer the patient to a narrower specialist.

Why does heel pain occur? Causes

Treatment of such a deviation should be carried out only by an experienced doctor. But before proceeding with the treatment of an existing disease, it should be identified. As a rule, to make an accurate diagnosis, an x-ray of the diseased limb is taken, as well as standard tests are taken.

If in the near future you will not be able to visit the clinic, then we will help you understand why you are worried about heel pain. The causes and methods of treatment of this disease will also be presented in the materials of this article.

Injuries

If you are actively involved in sports or, for example, just run in the morning, then this can easily provoke some kind of injury. So, pain in the heel is often caused by a sprain of the joint (ankle). At the same time, a person may complain of very strong discomfort that is difficult to endure without painkillers.

It should be noted that such pain usually manifests itself in different ways:

• stabbing;
• burning;
• with a shot.

The location of the pain depends on the area of ​​the leg where the injury occurs. For example, discomfort can occur from behind, from the side, and so on.

Wrong shoes

Why else can there be Causes (treatment of such a deviation should be carried out only after visiting a doctor) such sensations are often hidden in the selection of the wrong shoes. This is especially true of the weaker sex. After all, the most dangerous enemy of the female foot is a very high heel.

Thus, wearing such shoes leads to an overload of the lower extremities, which can easily contribute to the appearance of intense “shooting” pains in the heel area.

Problems with the musculoskeletal system

Surely every person has ever been bothered by pain in the heels. The causes and treatment of the mentioned deviations can be identified and carried out independently at home. But this is only if the discomfort does not arise due to a serious illness.

So, what diseases can cause heel pain? The causes of pain, diagnosis and treatment of a disease are presented to your attention just below.

Arthritis

Arthritis heel pain is very common. After all, with such a deviation, the inflammatory process spreads along the foot through the tissues that connect the phalanges with arthritis. Usually, with arthritis, discomfort increases gradually. In this case, the maximum pain occurs in the morning.

To get rid of such a pathology, you should consult a doctor who will conduct an examination and prescribe treatment. If you need to remove the pain quickly, we recommend doing a foot massage. Although after physical exertion, it can return again.

Heel spur

The spur very often causes severe pain in the heels. The causes and treatment of this disease should be determined and carried out only by a doctor and only after receiving an x-ray.

As a rule, the spur is formed due to the accumulation of salts under the skin. As they grow, they can cause very strong pain in the foot, or rather in the heel. This is especially felt while walking, when a hard growth presses on soft tissues. As with arthritis, the pain is most severe in the morning.

plantar fasciitis

This deviation is a compacted formation that runs along the entire length of the foot. If a person wears too tight and uncomfortable shoes, then fasciitis can become inflamed very quickly. Namely, such a condition is fraught with gradual over time, it can easily lead to the appearance of such a pathology as

Other reasons

What else can cause heel pain? "Heel pain" (causes, symptoms and treatment are discussed in this article) is a very common complaint not only for women, but also for men. Such a pathological condition may indicate inflammation of the Achilles tendon, as well as the presence of reactive arthritis. In addition, discomfort in the heels is also noted in some infectious processes. For example, with chlamydia or other sexually transmitted diseases, an infection can easily contribute to the development of inflammation in the heel tendon. Ultimately, this will lead to severe pain, especially at night.

Who to contact?

It's impossible to feel confident when you have pain in your heel every now and then when you walk. We have described the causes and treatment of this disease above. However, I would like to pay a little more attention to the process of therapy.

As you know, heel pain is just a symptom of some kind of deviation in the human body. That is why the choice of the method of its treatment depends on the specific cause. To identify it, you should visit a therapist, traumatologist or orthopedist. Also, the patient may need to consult with doctors such as a surgeon, neurologist and oncologist.

After contacting a doctor, the latter must conduct a complete medical examination, and then make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Disease prevention

So that discomfort in the heels does not bother you, it is recommended to regularly carry out preventive measures that will prevent their occurrence.

Thus, regardless of why a person has foot pain, the following recommendations must be observed:

1. Struggle (moreover, intensified) with overweight. After all, excess weight significantly increases the load on the muscle tissues of the foot.
2. Acquisition and wearing of special orthopedic insoles. This is especially true for those people who have flat feet.
3. Wearing comfortable and loose shoes with a heel no more than 5 centimeters. By the way, flat shoes are also not recommended.
4. Daily therapeutic exercises for the lower extremities.

Examination of a patient with heel pain

When examining such patients, their complaints are very important. In addition to pain in the heels, a person may be disturbed by similar sensations in the joints. Moreover, their localization can be completely different.

It should also be noted that along with the described pain in the feet, the patient may complain of the impossibility of full-fledged movements in the back. When examining a patient, doctors often observe swelling and even redness of the heels.

After questioning the patient, doctors are required to pay special attention to his medical history. Only in this way will they find out whether the person had a previous foot injury, whether he suffered a chlamydial infection, whether he complained of morning stiffness, and so on. These and other data together will surely lead the doctor to identify the true cause of discomfort in the heel.

If the study of the medical history, as well as examination and questioning, did not contribute to the correct diagnosis, then a laboratory and instrumental examination is required. As a rule, it includes the following:

• A general blood test (leukocytosis, anemia, or an increase in ESR is possible with such a deviation as rheumatoid arthritis).
• Biochemical blood test (for example, an increase in uric acid with developing gout).
• Microbiological research. This may include tests such as urethral scrapings to check for chlamydia. This study is prescribed if there is a suspicion of the development of reactive arthritis.
• X-ray study. This is one of the most popular methods of examination for heel pain. As a rule, all the specific changes that are characteristic of a particular pathology are very clearly visible in the picture.
• Research on onco-markers. Such an analysis is prescribed if there is a suspicion of the presence of a malignant neoplasm.
• Serological analysis (for rheumatoid arthritis).
• Puncture biopsy of bones. This study is performed when osteomyelitis or bone tuberculosis is suspected. Material for sowing is taken by aspiration of pus from soft tissues or bones, or a biopsy of the bone itself is performed.

As for further actions, they depend on the age of the patient and clinical manifestations. If pain in the heel region bothers a person for a long time, then a medical examination should be more thorough.

Folk remedies

To quickly get rid of pain in the heels, you can attach a piece of ice to the aching place or hold the foot in cold water for 20 minutes. In the future, it must be rubbed with any anti-inflammatory cream, put on a sock and lie at rest for about two hours.

Many people try to avoid painful sensations, believing that they are the worst enemies for the body. In fact, pain indicates the presence of an inflammatory process. The heel hurts inside at the initial stage of joint destruction or the presence of a serious disease. This problem needs to be addressed immediately.

The heel performs a shock-absorbing function. She has a high sensitivity. This is due to the fact that it contains a large number of nerve fibers and blood vessels. Even with a slight bruise or violation, a person may experience severe pain.

For people who spend a lot of time on their feet, this problem becomes a real challenge. Discomfort is especially intense in the morning, after the person has woken up.

The first step to solve the problem is to find the cause of the pain. After that, you should only start treatment. It can be both drugs and folk methods.

Causes

Pain inside the heel: what is it and why can it occur? The reasons are different. In some cases, the patient can independently determine why this happens, in others, a doctor's consultation is necessary.

Chronic inflammatory processes

The inflammatory process in the tendons can occur due to metabolic disorders in gout, diabetes or arthritis, and other diseases.

Diseases that can lead to heel pain:

• Haglund's deformity.
• Spur.
• Diabetic foot.
• Heel injury.
• Bursitis.
• Tuberculosis.
• Osteomelit.

Haglund deformity

In this case, the disease appears growth in the heel. It can be detected by the doctor during the examination. It is located slightly above the Achilles tendon and friction and damage to the fibers is constantly occurring during movement. It can only hurt when the disease is at an advanced stage.

The main reason for the appearance of such a deformation has not yet been established. In most cases, it occurs in the fair sex, who wear heels for a long time.

Heel spur

With this disease, a non-infectious lesion of the heel occurs. The cause of the inflammatory process can be a large load, excess weight, as well as changes in the foot. Gradually osteophytes develop into a heel spur.

They can only be diagnosed with x-rays. In fact, the cause of pain in the heel is not the spur itself, but the inflammatory process inside.

Gout

It occurs due to a violation of metabolic processes inside the body or kidney disease. With gout, uric acid does not leave the body in a timely manner, forming small crystals. And they, in turn, join the places where the cartilage is located. The most "favorite" place for gout is the feet. In this case, even the patient's walking changes.

Diabetic angiopathy

In the presence of diabetes, damage to a large number of blood vessels occurs. In medicine, there is such a diagnosis as “diabetic foot”. This disease occurs due to a violation of the production of insulin by the pancreas. The blood becomes thick, clogs the vessels. The kidneys, eyes and feet are at particular risk. There is a violation of nerve fibers and blood vessels. Due to impaired blood flow, trophism is disturbed, and trophic ulcers appear. They can appear most often on the foot.

Infectious diseases

reactive arthritis. The inflammatory process in the joints occurs a short time after an infectious disease. This pathological condition is associated with autoimmune disorders. In most cases, it can be a urogenital infection. It is characterized by an inflammatory process in different joints of the lower extremities.

Tuberculosis. This disease occurs due to infection of Koch's wand. It can affect not only the lungs, eyes, but also bones. This form of tuberculosis is most often found in children with weakened immunity.

Why do pains appear in one heel?

Sometimes pains occur not in two heels, namely in one. Why is this happening? In most cases, this is due to uncomfortable shoes or the structure of the foot.

Pain in the morning. If intense pain occurs immediately after waking up, then the fascia of the sole may be the cause. This is a thick strip of muscle that occurs next to the heel tubercle. With intense loads, tearing of the fibers can occur. In parallel, symptoms such as intense pain and impaired ability to move normally appear. There is also swelling.

Pain in the calcaneus. They can occur due to the presence of a deformed foot, warts, corns, and flat feet. Painful sensations can be both short-term and long-term.

Pain in the left or right leg can occur due to a foot injury.

Pain in young children

Pain can be not only in an adult, but very often even in a child. The main cause of this disorder may be Schinz's disease. In girls, this disease occurs at the age of 8 years, and in boys - at 10 years. A characteristic feature of this disease is the pain that appears on the back of the heel.

Sometimes pain can occur with severe flat feet. Additionally, there is a scoliotic posture.

Diagnostics

In the presence of these unpleasant sensations, pain or swelling, you should consult a doctor. He will prescribe the necessary measures for the diagnosis. A lot depends on the symptoms.

• General or biochemical blood test. It is done in order to determine the cause of pain.
• Microbiological examination.
• Ultrasound examination.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.

Heel treatment

Why does the heel hurt deep inside and what needs to be done? It all depends on the cause of the appearance. The most important thing to do is to eliminate pain. Butadion, Fastum-gel are suitable for this. If these drugs do not give a lasting effect, then a blockade should be done.

The cause is a pinched sciatic nerve. To eliminate this problem, it is necessary to stretch the spine. It is advisable to contact a chiropractor. He may recommend sleeping soon on a hard surface.
If the reason lies in flat feet, then you need to choose the right shoes. If it is formed on one leg, then the pain can only be on that side.

• With rheumatoid arthritis, it is recommended to take the following drugs: Ketoprofen, Ibuprofen.
• Folk remedy helps to eliminate inflammatory processes.
• Ointments for external use. For example, "Ketorolgel", "Butadion".

Prevention

It is much easier to do prevention than to treat a disease that has already manifested itself. Pain inside the heel and on the side: what can it be and what does it come from? There are methods that can prevent the disease.

• For prevention, you need to do exercises at home.
• For the first time, days with pain should be given complete rest.
• Healthy food. Control weight.
• Reduce salt intake. It is able to retain fluid and lead to disruption of the kidneys. And this, in turn, is the cause of failure in metabolic processes.

But if pains appear, then it is necessary not only to do prevention, but also to treat this disease.

An unexpected and annoying nuisance is heel pain when walking, the causes of which are many, given that a person can only succeed in life when he is constantly moving forward, both figuratively and literally. Where does she come from?

Heel pain without disease

There can be many causes of heel pain while walking and they do not always indicate the presence of a disease. This phenomenon is often associated with an incorrect lifestyle or an unusual load for the body. If you have not previously worn stilettos, and then began to walk in shoes with heels, pain may appear. This phenomenon is also facilitated if you, out of habit, spent the whole day on your feet. When physical activity increases sharply, the subcutaneous fat on the sole becomes thinner, which can cause discomfort when walking. An additional unwanted load on the foot gives an increase in body weight. If you gain weight quickly, this can also cause pain. When a person is not able to move normally and freely, this significantly impairs the quality of his life and causes anxiety. In addition, pain when walking in the heel indicates the presence of a serious disease that needs to be treated.

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Heel pain due to infection

Some diseases of an infectious nature that occur latently can cause inflammation of the heel bones.

These are intestinal infections, such as: salmonellosis, yersiniosis, dysentery, and urogenital infections: ureaplasmosis, chlamydia, gonorrhea. Evidence of the presence of such ailments may be that the heel hurts even during rest. The most severe pain often appears at night. It's reactive arthritis caused by an infection. In addition to heel inflammation, a person is disturbed by the eyes and joints, and unpleasant sensations appear in the genital area. Another infection in which the heel hurts is bone tuberculosis, when the heel bone becomes inflamed. Often there is a purulent fistula. After a few weeks, a stable remission may occur, the inflammation stops. Pain causes osteomyelitis of the calcaneus.

This is an inflammatory process that is accompanied by bacteria that develop in the bone marrow, bones and soft tissues. First, a person experiences weakness, then the temperature rises to 40º. Pain in the part of the bone that is inflamed occurs sharply, it is boring and sharp. At the same time, the heel swells, the veins expand, the skin turns red.

Pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout and Bechterew's disease also lead to the appearance of this symptom. Rheumatoid arthritis is a rather complex joint disease. Feet are rarely affected, but it is not excluded. With this pathology, the foot hurts, swells, the mobility of the joints is disturbed. When the disease begins to develop, the heel hurts only when moving. Subsequently, discomfort also occurs during sleep or rest. In addition, the patient's appetite is disturbed, he quickly gets tired and feels weak. With gout, the joints begin to become inflamed due to the deposition of urates - salts of uric acid. Redness, swelling occur in them, which is accompanied by acute pain. Attacks usually last for days or even weeks.

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Systemic diseases as a cause of heel pain

The joint is very disturbing at night, it is impossible to touch it, it becomes hot. Usually gout is localized in the area of ​​the big toe, but sometimes other departments also suffer: hands, fingers, ankles, knees. Tendons can also become inflamed. Pain in the heel sometimes speaks of Bechterew's disease. In this case, standing on a hard floor becomes almost impossible. Ankylosing spondylitis is a very serious disease. If the treatment is not started in time, the spine can completely grow together and the person becomes immobilized. With this disease, the immune system becomes aggressive to the bones and ligaments of its own body. The joints with the discs of the spine ossify and grow together.

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Trauma as a cause of heel pain

The causes of pain in this area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe leg may be an injury. For example, this may be due to a rupture or sprain of the tendons. Such an injury is possible either due to a sharp contraction of the calf muscles or due to a strong blow. First, an acute pain appears, then swelling begins, damage to the tendon can be determined by touch. It is almost impossible to bend the sole. If you jump from a height and land badly, you can earn a bruised heel bone. In it there are pains of a burning nature, increasing with exertion.

Perceptible discomfort in the heel also appears if there is a fracture of its bone. At this time, the heel itself (left or right), depending on the injured leg, deforms, swells, bruises appear, foot movements are almost impossible. Sever's disease is a tear between the apophysis and the body of the calcaneus that causes pain. The disease appears in young athletes aged 9-14 years. While walking at a fast pace, as well as running, the pain may intensify. There is a feeling of constraint in the movement of the calf muscle, the temperature rises in the area of ​​injury.

Gaslund-Shinz disease has not only a strange name. It is characterized by unpleasant and dangerous symptoms, one of which is heel pain. This disease is characterized by the necrosis of individual parts of the spongy bone, which are under the influence of a large mechanical load.