Why do your heels hurt? Causes of heel pain. Heel pain (heel pain). Dosed physical activity

The heel, or heel, is a convex part of the body on the back of the foot, consisting of bone, fatty tissue and skin. considered the largest bone of all 26 that make up the foot. The main function of the heel is shock absorption during any human movement. It has a good blood supply and many nerve endings. The bone is surrounded by a fat pad, due to which depreciation is provided - softening the force of impact when walking and jumping. So why does the heel on my left foot hurt?

Today, people have a very busy pace of life, which forces them to spend a lot of time on their feet. The heel already withstands heavy loads, and with prolonged standing, the load increases. Interestingly, the left leg suffers more. The symmetry of the human body is not absolute. This is due to evolution, during which the right arm and leg, controlled by the dominant left hemisphere of the brain, became predominant in humans. Human legs are never completely symmetrical. Right-handers have a more developed right limb. The muscles on it are more developed, and often the fullness of the leg is also greater. The tone decreases faster on a weak leg. As a rule, this is the left limb. Loads create discomfort, and pain appears in the left heel. There is no such thing as causeless pain.

Physiological reasons

Why does the heel of my left foot hurt? For reference: discomfort and pain do not always indicate the presence of pathology. They can be physiological and are caused by the following factors:

• uncomfortable or new shoes: high heels, tight lasts, which causes overstrain or compression of the muscles;
• when dieting or increased physical activity, the amount of subcutaneous fat under the sole of the foot may decrease, which will immediately affect shock absorption;
• long periods of standing or walking;
• rapid weight gain.

When the heel on your left foot hurts for a long time, the reasons are often more serious. Perhaps some pathological process is beginning. Pathological pain can be distinguished by the following signs:

• the pain is burning, stabbing or aching in the foot or on the side of the heel;
• the pain intensifies when walking;
• there are signs of inflammation in the form of redness, swelling and local hyperthermia;
• if the burning pain on one side of the heel intensifies in the evening and morning, then perhaps this is a primary sign of arthritis or gout;
• throbbing pain on the side is a sign of injury.

Causes of heel pain

The heel is a bioshock absorber, thanks to which human upright walking became possible. In addition to fatty tissue, it is surrounded by muscles, ligaments and tendons. Why does the heel of my left foot hurt? Despite its enormous load-bearing capabilities, the integrity of the bone can be compromised. This can be caused by intense physical activity, poor nutrition, injuries to the foot and surrounding tissues, and inflammation.

Important! The deformation of the heel does not go away without a trace, the spine and other joints begin to suffer. If left untreated, the heel itself begins to cause severe discomfort and limits motor activity.

Causes of pain in the lateral part of the heel

Why does the heel of my left or right foot hurt? The symptom can be expressed both when there is a load on one of the limbs, and on both. The most common reasons:

• shoes that don't fit;
• high stiletto heel;
• intense sports training or dancing;
• standing on your feet for a long time;
• injury to the tissues surrounding the heel;
• gout;
• osteoporosis;
• mycosis of the foot;
• foreign body under the skin of the heel;
• leg injury when walking barefoot on pebbles or sand;
• arthritis;
• deformation of the heel bone;
• heel spur.

About pathologies in more detail:

1. Foot injuries. Stretching or rupture of tendon tissue - occurs with a direct blow or sudden contraction of the foot muscles. First there is acute pain, followed by swelling and the inability to flex the foot.
2. Bruise - can occur as a result of an unsuccessful landing after a jump from a great height on the heel. There is pain, swelling and redness at the site of injury. It hurts to step on the heel and causes lameness. The pain is strong, dull and constant.
3. Fracture. If the heel of your left foot hurts and it hurts to step on it, then you may be dealing with a fracture. It is extremely rare - about 4% of the total number of injuries of this kind. Most often, a calcaneal fracture is the result of a fall from a height while standing. Due to severe pain, a person cannot step on the heel, the bone becomes deformed, expands, swells, and the sole becomes covered with bruises. The foot changes in shape, the heel seems to fold to the side.

Diseases of inflammatory nature

Tendinitis is inflammation of the tendon. Doctors have established the main causes of the disease: mechanical damage, impaired metabolism, age-related changes, pathology of the skeletal structure, inflammation in the tendons of the joints, adverse reactions from the use of certain medications, as well as excessive physical activity, it is not for nothing that tendonitis is called a professional illness of runners.

The main symptoms are swelling, nodules under the skin, redness and pain. Through a stethoscope, the doctor can hear the tendon muscles rubbing as they move. If left untreated, the tendon may rupture, leaving the person unable to move. The pain with tendonitis is local, near the heel, it hurts to stand on your toes and jump.

Bursitis is an inflammation of the synovial bursa. It is often preceded by trauma. The heel turns red, swells, hurts, and is hot to the touch. Without treatment, the swelling grows and thickens.

Gaglund-Schinz disease is necrosis of the cancellous bone of the heel. The disease manifests itself as gradually increasing pain in the area of ​​the heel tubercle. It becomes most intense during exercise and walking. Over time, due to constant pain, a person can only walk by leaning on the front of the foot. Treatment is conservative; if it is started on time, the prognosis is favorable.

Fasciitis is the most common pathology. More typical for older people. The disease is popularly known as heel spur. When it occurs on the right or left leg, the heel hurts when walking. Plantar fasciitis is between the heel and the mid bones of the foot. The fascia of the foot, in the form of a strip, supports the arch and heel. Develops with increased weight, arthritis, osteochondrosis, flat feet, microtrauma of the fascia, most often it ruptures at the point of attachment to the heel. With this pathology, there is pain under the heel of the left foot, the person cannot step or walk, the pain appears in the morning, subsides during the day and only at rest and during night sleep. The fascia regenerates a little overnight and grows together. The very first steps in the morning tear her apart again.

The name "heel spur" is given because of the similarity of the bone growing in the form of a wedge or beak under or behind the heel. Pathology develops as a result of other diseases as a consequence. Provoking factors are excess weight, rheumatism, arthritis, flat feet, increased stress on the legs. A person does not feel the growth of the wedge; pain occurs only when inflammation passes to the bone - periostitis and bursitis.

If the heel of your left foot hurts severely and there is a feeling of a nail in it, especially when walking, in the evening or in the morning, then it is probably a spur. Note that it can also develop as a result of tendonitis, in which the growth of new tissue cells is stimulated, which gradually die and accumulate. Most often the lesion is observed on one side.

A heel tumor is a very rare disease, although there are many types of cancer that affect the foot. They can often be identified only after an injury or a close examination by a specialist. All tumors can be divided into two groups. The first - skin cancers - include squamous cell neoplasm, malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma. The second group is cancer of the foot bone (osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, chondrosarcoma). The third type includes soft tissue tumors: fibrosarcomas, epithelioid and synovial sarcomas, malignant fibrous hiscytoma. It is difficult to recognize the development of a malignant process in this area. The main thing to pay attention to is seals of any kind, asymmetry, a tendency to form ulcers with torn edges, uneven coloring of the tumor and progressive pain during palpation and walking, which does not stop even during rest.

Why does the heel on my left foot hurt inside?

The inside of the heel may hurt due to infectious diseases. Among them, reactive arthritis is the most common. The pain does not depend on the load, intensifies at night.

Osteomyelitis is a purulent-necrotic process developing in the bone. First the muscles hurt, then the temperature rises, but the pain in the heel is present from the first day. This is the answer to the question of why the heel on the left foot hurts inside. Purulent destruction of the bone occurs, which is why the pain is localized inside the heel. It is aching, dull, constant, appears after 3-4 days, and lameness quickly follows. The heel is slightly swollen.

What else causes pain in the heel of your left foot? The reason may be very serious. In particular, bone tuberculosis, in which pain inside the heel is permanent. If left untreated, a fistula with pus forms in the bone. Some areas of the skin become dead. Important! Treatment results in long-term remission of the disease.

One of the most common reasons for heel pain is a callus. It can be bone and plantar (pinus). arise as a result of intense and prolonged friction of the heel on the shoe. It looks like a yellowish lump. Pain occurs only with infection or inflammation. Callus causes acute and unbearable pain. Treatment is only surgical.

Systemic diseases

Another serious disease that can cause pain in the heel of your left or right foot is rheumatoid arthritis. It can affect the joints of the foot. At first, pain and stiffness are felt only in the morning, but then the pain becomes constant, present even during sleep. Additionally, signs of intoxication appear - pallor, fever, decreased appetite, lethargy, etc.

Gout is a joint disease in which uric acid accumulates in the joints. Painful sensations often occur at night, during sleep. The color of the joint is brown-red, it is swollen and very painful, hot on palpation.

Arthritis is a disease that most often results in inflammation of both the heel and surrounding tissues. The pain is severe and constant, unbearable in the morning.

Osteoporosis is voids in the bone due to its demineralization and decreased calcium content. Bone strength decreases noticeably, and fractures occur more often. Pathology is promoted by physical inactivity, poor diet, menopause, and taking medications containing aluminum.

Sever's disease, or calcaneal epiphysitis, is a pathology that occurs in children. Symptoms: pain on the lateral surfaces of the heel after physical activity, slight swelling, the surface of the heel is hot to the touch. Until 8-16 years of age, the two parts of the heel bone are connected by cartilage. It happens that excessive physical activity leads to its rupture, and then on the right or left foot the heel hurts both on the inside and outside (along the entire perimeter).

Why do your heels hurt after walking?

In some cases, pain appears after, and not during, walking. A very common reason is the wrong shoes with a bad last, high heels. Forced standing posture throughout the entire day or most of it in representatives of certain professions (hairdressers, cooks, etc.) can also cause pain. In such cases, the legs should be allowed to rest more often at any opportunity, even for a minute.

Jumping and running workouts can also cause pain in the heel area. Especially if there is a problem of excess weight. But sudden weight loss can also have negative consequences for heel health. It is best to lose weight gradually.

Diagnostic measures

OBC, OAM, and blood biochemistry are mandatory. If we are talking about inflammation, there will be an increased ESR, an increase in leukocytes, and a decrease in hemoglobin. Biochemistry will show the level of inflammatory proteins, the presence of uric acid, etc. If reactive arthritis is suspected, a scraping may be taken from the urethra. Tuberculosis will be determined by an x-ray of the lungs and a puncture biopsy.

For osteomyelitis, a biopsy is also performed. For bursitis, I perform a puncture of the synovial bursa. Oncology can be determined by tumor markers, ultrasound, MRI, and osteoporosis by densitometry. However, the most important and most common diagnostic method remains an x-ray of the ankle in two projections.

First aid for heel pain

When the heel of your left foot hurts, what to do at home? NSAIDs and analgesics can often help - Ortofen, Diclofenac and even Analgin. These products in the form of ointments and gels can be used topically. Traditional medicine recommends that in case of inflammation, apply a compress of onion and garlic with the addition of oil to prevent burning. After an hour the pain goes away.

If you have a bruise, you need to apply cold: hold ice or a hypothermic cooling pack for 15 minutes every hour, 3 times a day. Then rub in anti-inflammatory ointment. Foot baths with salt in a ratio of 1:5 or a solution with vodka help. They can be taken for 10 days.

Principles of treatment

Treatment can be medicinal or non-medicinal: herbal medicine, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, etc. If there is no effect, surgical intervention is practiced.

So, if the heel of your left foot hurts, how to treat it? Conservative therapy involves taking NSAIDs locally and orally, analgesics, cytostatics, and gold preparations (for systemic diseases). If the disease is inflammatory in nature, antibacterial therapy is required. To improve microcirculation and tissue regeneration, angioprotectors are used - Actovegin, Tivortin.

We must not forget about periodic intake of vitamins and minerals. For constant pain, blockades with Diprospan and Lidocaine, etc. are prescribed. For calluses, special patches with acids (lactic, salicylic) are used.

For gout, medications that help reduce the amount of uric acid, such as Thiopurinol, are usually prescribed.

In case of injury, it is necessary to immobilize the foot. If your heel tendon is sprained, you will need a compression bandage. If a rupture occurs, surgery is indicated.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic methods include ultrasound treatment, laser therapy, UHF, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, magnetic therapy and shock wave treatment. All this very effectively relieves the symptoms of the disease.

Non-drug treatment

Non-drug therapy includes:

• Therapeutic gymnastics for the foot - stretching exercises, rolling a ball with spikes. Walking on the tiptoes or edge of the foot is useful and effective.
• Massage improves blood flow, relieves inflammation and swelling.
• Exercise therapy - development of ligaments and tendons. This is the flexion and extension of the joints of the foot and knee.
• The use of arch supports and heel pads, orthopedic insoles. They soften impacts and relieve stress on the heels.
• Alternating heating and ice massage several times during the day relieves pain and trains blood vessels.

The right shoes are the key to healthy feet. The heel height should be no more than 3-4 cm.

Surgical treatment

Surgical intervention is practiced in the treatment of heel spurs if there is no effect of drug therapy. The plantar fascia is excised and part of the bone, spur or sequestrum is removed. The operation can be performed endoscopically or openly.

For fractures in the heel area, a cast is required for 1.5 months. Mobility only with the help of crutches. The forefoot can be loaded only one month after the cast is removed. The rehabilitation period includes exercise therapy, massage, and physiotherapy.

If recovery is slow, the patient wears an orthosis in the form of a boot, which reduces the load on the bone, prevents muscle atrophy, and reduces swelling. The recovery period generally takes 3 months. Even if movements are difficult, doctors recommend working out the leg from the first days of rehabilitation.

When diagnosing chronic inflammatory diseases, their exacerbation must not be allowed. Such patients should avoid heavy physical activity. They can't walk for long. You should normalize your weight and choose comfortable shoes. It is imperative to strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the foot, regularly massage the feet, use orthopedic devices to reduce the load on the heel, and strengthen the blood vessels of the legs with contrast baths.

Heel pain is common for a variety of reasons. At a young age, few people experience this; when a person passes the age of 50, immediate treatment is often required. Some people consider this condition to be normal and do not pay attention to the symptoms, exacerbating the pathology.

Pain in the heels causes trouble, hinders movement, and it is not recommended to leave the problem unresolved. Most sick people have no idea how to treat heel pain. First of all, you need to inspect the shoes worn by a person. More often, women suffer from heel pain due to their heavily favored heels.

Sometimes, pain is a consequence of an injury to the leg and joints. The pain is not aching, sharp, comparable to needle pricks in the heel.

Considering the reasons, let us pay attention to the following points:

Do not underestimate pain in the legs that occurs at the bottom; at the first symptoms, consult a doctor. Pain interferes with living a full life and can be a symptom of serious illnesses.

Diseases accompanied by foot pain

A doctor can make an accurate diagnosis; symptoms accompanied by heel pain indicate serious foot diseases that require immediate treatment. As a rule, it hurts under the heel.

Let's consider diseases characterized by this symptom:

The main causes of unpleasant symptoms in the foot area are listed; if they occur, it is recommended to get rid of them by consulting a doctor.

How to determine why heels hurt using diagnostics?

People don't know which doctor to go to for pain. It is worth visiting a therapist who will write a referral to a specific doctor. After visiting a doctor, a diagnosis is prescribed. The choice of method depends on the severity of the disease and the injury received. The doctor will get acquainted with the patient’s complaints, taking into account when the pain intensifies - in the morning or evening, and will become familiar with the diseases noticed earlier.

To more accurately establish a diagnosis, the patient should undergo tests:

1. When the patient cannot walk, a general blood and urine test is prescribed. The cause occurs in diseases of the kidneys and spine. It is important which side the pain occurs on; more often people complain that the left side of the foot hurts.
2. When there is pain under the heel, a scraping is taken from the urethra; pain often occurs due to serious diseases in the bladder and kidneys, then it radiates to the legs.
3. X-ray is required. If there is a pathology in the body, the patient cannot walk normally, the reason is bone destruction or fracture.
4. If a malignant tumor is suspected in the legs, a tumor marker test is performed.
5. A biopsy is done if bone tuberculosis is suspected.

The doctor, having received the test results, prescribes treatment to help get rid of the problem. The doctor decides what to do next.

What to do if your heels hurt?

Treatment begins with getting rid of the causes of pain. If the pain under the heel is constant, the disease is chronic; if the pain radiates in the legs periodically, the disease is associated with an acute form. It is necessary to start treatment, it will not be possible to walk without discomfort, sometimes, with foot problems, disability occurs and the person cannot move normally.

You can get rid of the problem at home if the disease is at an early stage. Use ointments that help get rid of pain and fatigue, resort to folk remedies. Follow the recommendations - the leg disease will go away soon:

1. When walking, there is a load on your legs, it is advisable to lose excess weight. The feet take on weight and hurt, the heels spread out to the sides, which causes calluses.
2. After the doctor examines your feet without identifying pathologies, take care of comfortable shoes and orthopedic insoles. The problem is flat feet, which can be cured at home.
3. Some people say that the pain under the heel is due to the heel. Opinions are deceptive; shoes without heels are also dangerous. A moderate heel of 5 centimeters is desirable.
4. An effective way is daily therapeutic exercises. You need to do the exercises constantly, you can do them at home. After exercise, it is recommended to smear your feet with special soothing creams and gels that tonic the blood vessels and improve blood circulation.

Feet require constant care; take foot baths that are both relaxing and tonic. It is recommended to add pine oil and sea salt to warm baths; the pain in the legs quickly calms down, the person begins to feel normal, and foot fatigue goes away.

If severe pain occurs, it is recommended to apply cold water and lubricate the sore area with anti-inflammatory agents. Pain is not normal; if it occurs in the feet, it is recommended to immediately seek help from a doctor who can determine the cause and get rid of it. When pain occurs when walking, the cause is excessive strain; in the evening, the legs are smeared with special creams that help the muscles relax. You can buy drugs at the pharmacy.

Pain inside the heel brings very severe discomfort, and the cause may be serious internal diseases that need to be treated urgently. There are different ways to treat it and prevent it effectively.

Heel pain can appear completely unexpectedly, disrupting the usual way of life with its strength and persistence. Heels hurt for various reasons, but it is difficult for a person to step on them and walk even a short distance. When walking, the heel is exposed to a lot of stress every day, so pain can appear at any time. If the inside of your heel hurts, this could be a sign of inflammation, tendinosis, heel spurs, or even a fracture. In any case, you need to pay attention to the appearance of pain in the legs so as not to limit yourself in movements and your usual lifestyle.

Main reasons

Why does burning heel pain occur? The main reason why the heel suddenly begins to hurt is injury. You should not step on your sore leg or make sudden movements, so as not to worsen your situation. You should immediately seek medical help in such cases.

Heavy exercise can seriously harm your health, so you should stop playing sports and walking a lot during treatment. Overloading the foot can cause shooting pains in the legs. If the ankle joint is damaged, it is as if a nail is piercing the leg, and the pain increases with every movement.

Women's high heels are often the cause of the painful condition due to excessive daily stress. A sudden change to shoes with flat soles, in turn, can cause discomfort when walking.

Uncomfortable shoes always negatively affect the health of your feet, and if you wear them constantly, the condition will only worsen. If a person has a job where he has to stand all day, then this greatly affects the heels. They are also negatively affected, as is the entire body as a whole, by a sudden weight gain.

You should not underestimate this condition of your legs, since it may indicate more serious disorders within the human body. Further, the process progresses and over time it becomes more and more difficult to cure.

What diseases cause heel pain?

Comfortable shoes and the absence of injuries are not a guarantee of health, because internal diseases affect the heels. Why does the heel hurt inside, but there are no visible reasons for this? Sometimes only a consultation with a doctor will reveal all the secrets of the appearance and quality treatment of these unpleasant pains.

Chronic inflammatory processes

Metabolic disorders due to gout and inflammation in the joints due to arthritis sometimes also lead to problems with the legs. The heel tendons become inflamed, which causes pain. Timely examination, testing and identification of one of these diseases will help to quickly eliminate heel pain.

The entire connective tissue of the sole becomes completely compacted and can become inflamed for various reasons. If a person wears tight shoes, then this process will only speed up. If you ignore such pain, then over time calcium salts are deposited in the tissues and a spur forms on the heel.

Inflammation of the Achilles tendon also leads to intense pain when walking. Pain syndrome occurs on the inside of the soles above or below the inflamed heel.

If a spur appears on the heel, a person feels pain from the side of its occurrence in a sitting and lying position. The situation improves with walking, but special treatment for the spur cannot be avoided. It is a compacted growth that affects part of the sole. It can be diagnosed using ultrasound or x-ray examination.

It is very painful for patients to walk with cracks that appear on the soles. The heel becomes rough, and deep cracks form in the thick layer of skin. When walking, they cause severe pain and sometimes even bleed.

Infectious diseases

If there is a chronic infection in the body, then the heels will hurt not only when walking, but also during rest. The cause is chlamydia, gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted diseases. Intestinal infections, such as dysentery, also lead to heel pain, but very rarely.

One of the complex diseases is tuberculosis of the calcaneus. Its danger is that it spreads quite quickly and progresses in the absence of treatment. For these reasons, a sore heel always needs a thorough examination.

Osteomyelitis of the heel bone causes muscle pain and fever. Acute infections respond well to treatment in almost all cases, but treatment is usually long-term.

Systemic diseases

The tissue that connects a patient's toes to the heel bone along the foot can become inflamed during arthritis. The pain is increasing in nature. In the morning it manifests itself especially strongly, and to reduce it, you need to massage the foot. After it, relief appears until the person climbs the steps or stands on tiptoes.

In the case of reactive arthritis, when the body is attacked by various infections, for example, due to sexually transmitted diseases, it is painful for the patient to walk and even sleep with such a problem.

Chronic inflammation of certain joints and the spine, called ankylosing spondylitis, affects the legs. Gout often spreads not only to the big toe, but to the entire surface of the foot. In addition to pain, swelling and redness of the heel and entire foot appear.

It is difficult to relieve annoying pain on your own; it is better to seek help from a doctor. It is necessary to do an ultrasound and other diagnostics, which will help to quickly find out the cause and decide on treatment.

Effective treatments

If your heel hurts a lot or there is constant discomfort in it, then you should not put off visiting a doctor. Timely diagnosis can protect a person from more serious problems and further complications. General recommendations include losing weight, changing tight and uncomfortable shoes, and reducing stress on your feet. When choosing and wearing shoes, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

• the height of the heel should be no more than 5 centimeters;
• do not wear shoes with flat soles or too high heels during treatment;
• You cannot wear stiletto heels; the heel must be wide and stable;
• the presence of a small heel will help relieve the load on the heel and it will not hurt as much;
• Daily foot exercises will bring relief and benefits to your legs.

It is better to avoid running or while treating your legs. These loads can easily be replaced by swimming and cycling. Excess weight on the legs is a big burden, so you should stick to a diet and also get rid of extra pounds.

People with flat feet need to pay special attention to the type of shoes and the presence of orthopedic insoles. The load from the heels will shift to the muscles and ligaments, which will improve their condition, and the patient will not have pain in walking.

The inflammatory process in the heel greatly interferes with the legs and causes discomfort when walking. In this case, you need to do tests and start treatment as soon as possible.

Emergency methods of dealing with acute heel pain:

1. Apply an ice cube to the sore spot and hold it for 15-20 minutes.
2. Place your feet in a container of water at room temperature.
3. Take a painkiller tablet containing Ibuprofen.
4. Apply an ointment with an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, for example, Fastum-gel or Ketonal.

Preventing heel pain

Special strengthening exercises are an excellent method for preventing foot diseases and reducing the intensity of heel pain.

1. The tennis ball is rolled alternately with the foot of each leg. It is better to do this twice a day for two or three minutes.
2. Massage the feet and each toe, if it does not hurt the patient. You need to do this massage before bed without interruptions, then the result will not be long in coming.
3. Take a horizontal position and stretch your legs. Pull your foot towards you until discomfort appears, and then stretch your toe out as much as possible.
4. Alternately walk on your feet and heels around the room.
5. Spread a towel on the floor, use your fingers to make folds and smooth them out.
6. If your heel hurts when doing exercises, then you should stop.
7. For preventive purposes, they always monitor their daily diet and do a pedicure so that the stratum corneum does not become rough or crack.

Some traditional methods involve using compresses on the heel area at night. If it doesn't hurt too much, then the recipes will bring some relief. Vegetable oil and ammonia are suitable for compresses. A cotton pad is moistened in the mixture of components and applied to the inside of the heel or to its front surface. If it is very painful for a person to step on his heels, you can apply propolis to the affected area overnight, covering it with any fabric.

When your heels still hurt after the procedures, it is recommended to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and further individual therapy. A therapist, traumatologist or other doctor will tell you why the health of your legs has deteriorated and what to do in the future. When it hurts to even stand on your feet, no home treatment will save you. You need to monitor the health of your legs, because a person’s activity and mobility depend on it.

Painful sensations when walking are not uncommon. Many of us have experienced heel pain while moving. If it hurts you to step on it, you need to urgently find the causes and eliminate them, because this condition will only progress.

Structure

The heel is necessary for a person to absorb shock. It bears most of the load while moving or standing in one place. This part of the foot has a complex structure. Around the heel bone are concentrated:

• blood vessels;
• nerve fibers;
• fat layer;
• ligaments;
• tendons;
• muscles.

Of the 26 bones in the foot skeleton, the heel bone is the largest. It is the connecting link between the lower leg and the foot. Several joints are adjacent to it, making the lower leg mobile and helping to walk.

How are heel pathologies diagnosed?

If it hurts to step on your heel, this is a signal that you need to urgently consult a doctor. He will collect anamnesis and conduct a diagnosis. The examination includes:

• blood tests: general, biochemical, for tumor markers;
• serological and microbiological tests;
• x-ray of the affected area;
• MRI or computed tomography;
• Ultrasound;
• bone puncture.

The complex of studies depends on the accompanying symptoms and medical history of the patient. After determining the cause, a treatment regimen is prescribed. Sometimes the patient needs to take a long course, but usually a few weeks are enough to eliminate the problem.

Causes of the symptom

Pain in the heels can have several causes: inflammation of individual structures of this part of the foot, chronic diseases, and the action of external factors. The symptom can cause a pathological process in:

• calcaneus;
• layers of the epidermis;
• synovial bags;
• fascia;
• ligaments;
• Achilles tendon;
• vessels;
• nerves;
• intertarsal joints.

Some pathologies that cause heel pain affect all body systems. The patient most often knows about the causes of the disease or feels a general deterioration in his condition. All the reasons can be divided into three groups; we will consider each of them in detail.

Not caused by diseases

The first group includes causes that are not diseases. In this case, it is enough to eliminate the factor leading to pain. This will relieve discomfort.

1. Overstrain of the foot can be caused by uncomfortable shoe lasts or long walking. “Heel pain syndrome” is often experienced by women who wear heels of different heights. People with flat feet of various types and degrees experience problems.
2. Atrophy of the fat pad occurs after sudden weight loss and increased physical activity. Beginner athletes who experience physical overload experience pain.
3. A job or lifestyle that involves standing for long periods of time during the day. In the evenings, when walking, it will hurt to step on your heel.
4. Sudden weight gain or obesity leads to increased stress on the human skeleton. The main shock absorber is one of the first to start hurting, then the discomfort covers the entire foot.

Discomfort can only be eliminated by eliminating its cause. It is recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle, choose shoes with comfortable lasts and low heels. Diet plays an important part in eliminating problems - there is no need to suddenly gain or lose weight, nutrition should be balanced. Its caloric content should not exceed the daily norm.

Injuries

Any careless movement can disrupt the normal functioning of the legs. Athletes, elderly people and children often suffer from injuries. Causes of heel sensitivity:

1. Damage to the tendon ligament. Occurs when there is a strong blow to it. This problem is faced by people who play football, hockey and other team sports.
2. People who have unsuccessfully jumped from a height, those involved in diving from a tower or with a parachute, experience bruises of the soft tissues of the foot. With this injury, in addition to dull and severe pain, the patient is tormented by a burning sensation in the heel bone. If there is a bruise, you should also take an x-ray of the limb, since a strong blow can crack the bone.
3. A calcaneal fracture occurs for the same reasons as a bruise. With it, it is impossible to step on the injured limb. Severe pain spreads almost to the thigh area, the skin changes color, and swelling increases.
4. Epiphysitis of the calcaneus occurs in athletes and in adolescents during the peak of skeletal growth.
5. Wound, bite or cut. Those who walk barefoot on the street face these injuries. Immediately after injury, the affected area should be treated to prevent infection.

During your visit to the doctor, remember whether you had a strong blow, whether you fell from a height, or stumbled. This will help make a diagnosis faster. The peak of foot injuries occurs in winter, when ligaments and tendons suffer due to ice.

Pathologies

All diseases that can lead to discomfort can be divided into two groups: foot-related and general. The former are common and easier to treat and diagnose. These include:

General diseases can also cause severe heel pain. Such pathologies include:

1. Erythromegaly is a rare vascular disease. With it, small arteries and capillaries greatly expand, disrupting vasomotor reflexes in the periphery. The foot often falls into the affected area, and burning pain occurs when it is exposed to heat.
2. Oncology – tumors and metastases in the tissues of the feet as they grow can cause significant discomfort.
3. Rheumatoid arthritis - often affects the small joints of the extremities.
4. Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic pathology that causes ossification of the spine and limitation of its mobility. The heels suffer due to disturbances in gait and posture.
5. Tuberculosis of the bones causes bone melting or necrosis.
6. Ostemyelitis is a bacterial infection that affects the periosteal tissue, the bone itself and its brain fluid. With it, bone structures are deformed and sclerotic.
7. Infectious diseases in latent or chronic form cause arthritis, affecting the joints of the heel bone. Often this complication accompanies sexually transmitted diseases - gonorrhea or chlamydia.
8. Gout is a metabolic disorder that leads to the deposition of uric acid salts in the joints. With this pathology, the joints are severely deformed.

Skin damage - injuries, dermatological pathologies, fungal infections - can lead to pain. With diabetes, a patient may experience a complication in which he will feel dull pain. Such patients need to examine their limbs, as small scratches and wounds can become inflamed and lead to gangrene.

Treatment options

The course of therapy is prescribed based on the cause of the disease. When external factors lead to discomfort, it is enough to adjust your lifestyle to get rid of the unpleasant sensations. If it is a systemic disease that is incurable, doctors prescribe medications that return the patient to a comfortable life.

If heel pain occurs, you should consult a neurologist, orthopedist, surgeon, or traumatologist.

1. During the period of discomfort, stay more at rest - avoid jogging, long walks, and standing in one place. Rest helps relieve symptoms of inflammation and reduce the intensity of sensations.
2. If your foot hurts, apply a cold compress to it. During an exacerbation, coolness can reduce the intensity of many symptoms.
3. Use anti-inflammatory drugs. It is best to choose products in the form of ointments and gels.
4. If your heel pain is due to your lifestyle, use orthotics.

You should not self-medicate; if an attack lasts more than 12 hours, you should urgently consult a doctor. This may be a sign of a serious illness. You should not use traditional medicine methods. Iodine mesh can burn soft tissues, and herbal baths during the inflammatory process only aggravate the pathology.

Gymnastics to strengthen ligaments

The complex of restorative gymnastics to strengthen the ligaments of the foot includes exercises familiar to everyone:

1. “Bicycle” - lie on your back, stretch your arms along your body, raise your limbs and begin to imitate riding a bicycle. Try to pull hard on your toes and heels.
2. Walk on rugs with pimples or scattered river pebbles. This exercise should be done 5-10 minutes a day.
3. While sitting on a chair, roll a tennis ball with your feet.
4. Walk around the room on your toes, on your heels, on the outside and inside of your feet. Walking should only be done in sneakers.
5. Scatter several small objects on the floor and sit in front of them on a chair. Try to pick up and lift each object with your toes. It is best that they be different in shape and small, for example, buttons, beads.

Each exercise from the course of therapeutic exercises should be done at home for 2 to 5 minutes. Watch your condition, you should not be overtired. The purpose of the workout is to invigorate you and improve blood circulation.

Preventive actions

The following actions will help you avoid painful sensations:

• wear comfortable shoes - true to size, comfortable last, heel no more than 5 centimeters;
• any disease that arises must be treated in a timely manner by consulting a doctor;
• maintain optimal body weight;
• use orthopedic insoles;
• take care of the skin of your feet daily and carry out hygiene procedures;
• Use caution when playing sports.

Following these recommendations will allow you to forget about foot discomfort for a long time. Additionally, you need to monitor your diet - eat nutritious food rich in vitamins and minerals. Get a medical examination, and if you have chronic diseases, consult a doctor more often (at least 2-3 times a year).

Doctors' opinion

Doctors believe that these conditions need to be treated or the external factors that led to their occurrence should be eliminated. Indeed, with this symptom, posture and gait change, depreciation is disrupted, which negatively affects the spine. You should contact a specialist if pain is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• inability to step on the affected limb;
• edema;
• discoloration of the back of the leg;
• infectious lesions: temperature, fever, intoxication.

Conclusion

You should not postpone your visit if discomfort bothers you in the morning or at rest, or when it persists for several days. During treatment, you must follow all instructions of specialists. Be sure to wear orthopedic insoles and avoid uncomfortable shoes. Monitor your own weight; sharp fluctuations or stable obesity negatively affect the condition of the lower extremities and spine.

Heel pain can occur due to the following diseases:

• Haglund's deformity;
• tarsal tunnel syndrome;
• heel bone crack;
• heel spur;
• Achilles tendon strain;
• heel bruise;
• gout;
• diabetic angiopathy;
• epiphysitis of the calcaneus;
• bursitis;
• reactive arthritis;
• tuberculosis of the calcaneus;
• osteomyelitis of the calcaneus.

Haglund's deformity

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Heel bone crack

Heel spur

Achilles tendon sprain

Achilles tendon sprains are the mildest type of Achilles tendon injury. A more serious injury to the Achilles tendon is its partial or complete rupture, in which a person cannot move ( for example, walking, running) using the injured leg and feels severe pain in the heel and in the area where the Achilles tendon is located. In such cases, the supporting function of the lower limb is completely preserved, since this tendon is not involved in maintaining the static position of the leg.

Ankle sprain

Heel bruise

Gout

One of the main symptoms is monoarthritis ( inflammation of one joint) or polyarthritis ( inflammation of several joints). Gout can affect various joints ( ankle, elbow, hip, knee, etc.), however, most often the joints of the foot are involved in the pathological process ( intertarsal, metatarsophalangeal, tarsometatarsal joints). Inflammation of the intertarsal joints ( calcaneocuboid, subtalar, talocaleonavicular, etc.) with gout leads to heel pain.

The causes of this disease may be congenital defects of the enzymes responsible for the utilization of uric acid in the body ( for example, a defect in hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase or adenine phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase), kidney pathology ( chronic renal failure, kidney cancer, polycystic disease, etc.), blood ( paraproteinemia, leukemia, polycythemia, etc.), consumption of large amounts of meat, alcohol, physical inactivity ( sedentary lifestyle) and etc.

Diabetic angiopathy

Such ulcers are most often localized on the foot, toes, heel, and ankle areas. With this pathology, there is also a decrease in local immunity, due to which leg ulcers are constantly infected and take a very long time to heal, so diabetic angiopathy is often complicated by osteomyelitis ( purulent inflammation of bones) and gangrene ( tissue death) feet. Such complications are constantly observed in patients, since with diabetic angiopathy there is damage to the nerve endings ( diabetic polyneuropathy), which is accompanied by a violation of the sensitivity of leg tissues.

Epiphysitis of the calcaneus

The first ossification point appears in the body of the calcaneus at 5–6 months. Ossification ( ossification) bones in the area of ​​this point begins at the moment when the child is born. At approximately 8–9 years of age, the child develops a second ossification point in the apophysis ( process of bone, near its end) calcaneus, from which the calcaneal tuberosity is formed. After its appearance, both points gradually begin to grow together. Their complete fusion ends when the child turns 16–18 years old.

Epiphysitis of the calcaneus ( Sever's disease) is a pathology in which inflammation of the heel bone occurs as a result of partial separation of the apophysis ( bony process from which the calcaneal tuber will subsequently arise) from her body, due to the incomplete process of fusion and ossification. This pathology is observed mainly in children 9 - 14 years old ( since the first and second ossification points are completely fused by 16–18 years).

Various factors contribute to the development of this disease ( excessive physical activity, persistent injuries, abnormal development of the foot, calcium and vitamin D deficiency), which cause damage to the cartilage tissue in the heel bone and partial rupture of its connective tissue fibers, which disrupts the normal fusion of both points of ossification and ossification ( ossification) the entire bone as a whole. Heel pain with epiphysitis of the calcaneus is projected onto its lateral sides and occurs due to inflammatory processes inside the heel bone.

Osteochondropathy of the calcaneal tuberosity

Such loads cause mechanical damage to the vessels of the heel area, as a result of which they narrow and microcirculation is disrupted. The lack of blood supply to the tissues of the heel bone provokes the development of dystrophic and necrotic changes in it, which is why it becomes inflamed. Haglund-Schinz disease is characterized by the appearance of diffuse pain in the heel area ( in the area of ​​the heel tubercle), which intensify with physical activity and extension of the foot. Particularly severe pain is usually projected at the junction of the Achilles tendon with the tubercle of the heel bone. They can be easily identified by palpation ( feeling with fingers).

Bursitis

Reactive arthritis

One of the main features of urogenital reactive arthritis is the occurrence of pain in the heel area. Their appearance is associated with damage to various types of connective tissue structures located in the heel zone. The most common cause of this type of arthritis is enthesitis of the Achilles tendon ( inflammation of the tendon insertion into the heel bone), tendinitis ( inflammation) Achilles tendon, enthesitis of the plantar aponeurosis ( inflammation of the site of attachment of the plantar aponeurosis to the calcaneus). The localization of pain always depends on which structure is affected and inflamed. For example, with enthesitis or tendinitis of the Achilles tendon, pain is felt on the back of the heel; with enthesitis of the plantar aponeurosis, the patient experiences pain in the area of ​​the underside of the heel.

Tuberculosis of the calcaneus

Osteomyelitis of the calcaneus

Diagnosis of the causes of heel pain

Haglund's deformity

When palpating the back surface of the heel in this disease, one can identify a pathological bone growth, swelling of the adjacent tissues and severe local pain. To confirm that the patient has Haglund's deformity, he needs to have an X-ray examination of the heel area. Sometimes such a patient may also be prescribed an ultrasound examination ( Ultrasound), which is necessary for visualization and assessment of the condition of the Achilles tendon and retrocalcaneal bursa ( bursa located between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone).

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

An important diagnostic sign of tarsal tunnel syndrome is the Tinel sign ( the appearance of pain and numbness in the areas of innervation of the tibial nerve when tapping with fingers in the area of ​​the tarsal canal). By palpating the back of the entire leg, localized tenderness can often be detected. To confirm that the patient has damage to the tibial nerve, electroneuromyography is prescribed. In order to identify the cause of tarsal tunnel syndrome, patients are prescribed radiation research methods ( radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging).

Heel bone crack

Heel spur

When feeling ( palpation) in the heel region, it is possible to detect increased pain in the localization area of ​​the calcaneal tubercle - the place of attachment of the plantar fascia to it. In addition to clinical examinations, such patients may also be prescribed an X-ray examination of the heel in two mutually perpendicular projections. This study helps not only to establish the exact localization of inflammation and the presence of osteophytes ( heel spurs) in the area of ​​the heel tubercle, but also to exclude other possible pathologies ( for example, calcaneal tumors, osteomyelitis, calcaneal fracture, etc.).

Achilles tendon sprain

To diagnose an Achilles tendon sprain, it is very important to clarify in the patient the events and circumstances under which pain in the heel appeared, since, in most cases, such an injury occurs during physical activity, mechanical injuries to the leg, a fall from a height, or poor warm-up before training etc. Therefore, anamnestic data serve as a very important criterion for diagnosing an Achilles tendon sprain. In addition to asking the patient about his complaints and collecting anamnesis, he should also be prescribed an ultrasound examination, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Using these methods, you can quickly identify damage to the Achilles tendon and exclude other possible pathologies ( ). X-ray examination in such cases is not effective, since radiographs ( X-ray images) sprains are usually unrecognizable.

Ankle sprain

Heel bruise

Gout

Diabetic angiopathy

If a patient is diagnosed with diabetes, he is scheduled for consultations with doctors of the appropriate profile, who can establish and confirm the presence of one or another complication. For example, an ophthalmologist may detect that he has diabetic retinopathy ( retinal damage due to diabetes), a general practitioner can identify diabetic nephropathy in a patient ( kidney damage due to diabetes), a surgeon usually diagnoses diabetic angiopathy of the lower extremities.

For diabetic angiopathy of the lower extremities on the leg ( or legs) in the patient, most often in the foot area, ulcers are visible against the background of dry, atrophied skin that has a pale or cyanotic color. The skin is often cracked and peeling. Pain in the heel area always has varying intensity, which is not related to the area and depth of ulcerative defects. This is due to the presence of diabetic polyneuropathy ( nerve damage), in which there is a noticeable decrease in skin sensitivity. Sometimes such patients experience intermittent claudication ( that is, when walking they cannot put their feet on their feet normally due to pain). To assess peripheral blood supply ( which is significantly impaired in this pathology) various methods are used ( ultrasound examination, X-ray contrast angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, etc.).

Epiphysitis of the calcaneus

Osteochondropathy of the calcaneal tuberosity

Bursitis

For posterior calcaneal bursitis ( inflammation of the superficial Achilles tendon bursa) swelling is more distinct ( in the form of a knot) and is located on the posterior surface of the Achilles tendon. This type of bunion occurs in people who periodically wear tight, hard-backed shoes ( rear edge). Radiation research methods can help the doctor establish a final diagnosis ( ultrasound, radiography, computed tomography). These studies can accurately identify signs of bursitis - an increase in the size of the synovial bursa, hypertrophy ( thickening) its shell, the appearance of pathological contents inside it.

Reactive arthritis

The results of some laboratory tests are also important diagnostic signs of reactive arthritis. Patients suspected of having this disease undergo immunological typing ( study) for the presence of the HLA-B27 antigen ( a molecule on the surface of white blood cells that determines a patient's susceptibility to developing reactive arthritis), serological tests and PCR ( polymerase chain reaction) for the presence of antigens in his blood ( particles) harmful microbes ( which have caused urogenital infections in the past), as well as microbiological examination of smears from the urethra, cervical canal, eye conjunctiva ( for detection of chlamydia).

Tuberculosis of the calcaneus

Osteomyelitis of the calcaneus

How to treat when your heel hurts?

Haglund's deformity

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Heel bone crack

In the first 7 to 10 days, the patient must walk with the help of crutches, and leaning on the cast leg is not allowed. After this period, you can begin full walking, gradually increasing the load on the damaged heel area. The patient's full working capacity is restored after 3 to 4 months. This long rehabilitation period is explained by the fact that the heel bone serves as the main supporting structure when a person walks. When standing upright, the entire weight of the person’s body presses on this bone, so it is very important that the patient endures the entire period of immobilization of the leg to completely heal the fracture and prevent various complications ( for example, displacement of bone fragments, increase in the size of the crack, etc.).

Heel spur

Achilles tendon sprain

If a patient has severe pain in the back of the heel, in addition to cold compresses, he needs to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( ibuprofen, baralgin, diclofenac, etc.). It should be remembered that severe pain in the back of the heel can also appear with other pathologies ( for example, with a rupture of the Achilles tendon, a fracture of the heel bone, etc.), therefore, before self-medicating an Achilles tendon strain, it is recommended to first consult with your doctor. Physiotherapeutic procedures also help with this sprain ( cryotherapy, electrophoresis, ultra-high-frequency therapy, ultra-high-frequency therapy, low-frequency magnetic therapy, massage, therapeutic exercises, etc.), which significantly reduce the rehabilitation time, which takes quite significant periods of time in such patients ( on average, from 2 weeks to 2 – 3 months).

Ankle sprain

Heel bruise

Gout

Diabetic angiopathy

Epiphysitis of the calcaneus

In very rare cases ( for example, when the pain in the heel is unbearable) the doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to the patient. These drugs reduce inflammation in tissues and relieve heel pain. However, these drugs should not be abused, since the disease is not so serious and dangerous. Painful sensations in the heel during treatment will not go away immediately, sometimes they can last more than one week ( sometimes up to 1 – 3 months). It all depends on the speed of fusion between the partially separated sections of the heel bone. If a deficiency of calcium or vitamin D is detected in a child, he is prescribed appropriate medications. In severe clinical situations ( which is quite rare) such patients may be given a plaster cast on the leg to completely immobilize the injured limb.

Osteochondropathy of the calcaneal tuberosity

Bursitis

Reactive arthritis

Tuberculosis of the calcaneus

Osteomyelitis of the calcaneus

Why do my heels hurt in the morning?

Why does the back of my heel hurt?

Why does the inside of my heel hurt?

Which doctor should I consult if my heels hurt?

If such pain is simultaneously associated with pain in other joints, it is better to consult a rheumatologist, since damage to several joints at once most likely indicates that the patient has an autoimmune or metabolic disease ( for example, reactive arthritis, gout, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.). If, with heel pain, ulcers appear on the skin of the heel area and the patient has the main symptoms of diabetes mellitus ( increased desire for food and water consumption, weight loss, frequent trips to the toilet), then he should definitely go to an endocrinologist.

What ointment can you use when your heel hurts?

For other diseases ( e.g. bruised heel, Achilles tendon sprain, ankle sprain, heel spur, Haglund's deformity, bursitis) ointments help the heel area quite well, which is why they are prescribed to the patient in most cases. In addition, local remedies do not have such a toxic effect on the body as tablets do. Local remedies act much faster, as a result of which they are preferred for injuries to the heel area and if the patient has a superficial inflammatory process.

For heel pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually prescribed ( NSAIDs), painkillers and local irritants. NSAIDs ( diclofenac, indomethacin, ketoprofen, etc.) reduce pain, swelling and redness at the site of injury. It is recommended to begin applying an ointment based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs immediately after injury. Also on the first day you can use an ointment containing an anesthetic ( pain reliever), for example, menovazin. A few days later, after the swelling at the injury site has subsided, the patient should apply locally irritating ointments to the painful area ( finalgon, viprosal, gevkamen, nicoflex, etc.). It should be remembered that locally irritating ointments cannot be used in the first day after injury, as they contribute to increased swelling.

Why does your heel hurt and why does it hurt to step on?

Why does the side of my heel hurt?

Why does the sole of my heel hurt?

What folk remedies can be used when heels hurt?

Folk remedies can usually be used for mechanical foot injuries - heel bruises, ankle or Achilles tendon sprains, bursitis. Sometimes they help with plantar fasciitis ( heel spur). It should be remembered that before self-medication, you must first consult with your doctor.

Folk remedies that can be used for heel pain are as follows:

• Tincture of white acacia flowers. This tincture is used for heel spurs. To prepare it, take white acacia flowers and mix them with vodka in a ratio of 1/3. Tincture of white acacia flowers should be lubricated on the sole of the foot several times a day.
• Tincture of marsh cinquefoil. Take and mix the roots of marsh cinquefoil with vodka in a ratio of 1/3. After this, this mixture must be infused for 24 hours. It is recommended to consume this tincture 2 tablespoons 3 times a day. Tincture of cinquefoil is usually indicated for patients with plantar fasciitis.
• Potato compress. Potato compresses are often applied to the site of injury for a bruised heel, sprained ankle or Achilles tendon, as well as for various types of bursitis. To make such a compress, you need to take several raw potatoes and grate them. After this, you need to make a gauze compress from the resulting slurry, which should be applied to the site of injury several times a day.
• Compress made from plantain leaves. Take one tablespoon of dry, mashed plantain leaves and mix them with finely chopped onion ( 1 small onion). After this, an equal amount of honey should be added to this mixture. All this must then be placed in a boiling water bath and placed well. The resulting aqueous solution then needs to be infused and filtered. It can be used to make compresses that are applied to sore spots on the heel caused by a bruised heel, sprained ankle or Achilles tendon.
• Horsetail infusion. To prepare it, you need to place 50 - 60 grams of dry horsetail herb in 500 ml of boiling water. The resulting mixture must be left for 30 – 60 minutes. After this, the tincture must be filtered and made into a gauze compress, which should then be applied to the sore heel 2 - 3 times a day.

What causes a child's heel pain?