What Are the Most Common Causes of Heel Pain

What Are the Most Common Causes of Heel Pain

A significant number of podiatrist patients have heel pain that's so frequent and persistent that it has begun to affect their daily life. The cause of this problem can come from daily habits or specific conditions that occur in the area causing injury, pain and discomfort.

If you're conscious about this condition and want to prevent it, at OneHowTo we explain you what the most common causes of heel pain are so you can avoid them.

Footwear with little cushioning

Frequently wearing flip flops, sandals or shoes that have little cushioning in the heel is the main reason for pain in this area. Walking exerts force and pressure on our heels and unless you have suitable footwear to protect it, you can begin to experience pain.

It's best to alternate using this type of shoes with others that have better cushioning. It's also recommended to choose shoes with better support in order to protect your feet. This is even more important if you usually make long walks to keep in shape.

Frequently running on very hard surfaces

If you jog several times a week on very hard surfaces such as concrete, and you don't have the proper sports shoes, it's very likely that your heels will start to hurt and may lead to future injury.

It's very important to choose sports shoes that protect your feet and are designed for the type of activity that you're doing.

Besides a good running shoe, you need to make sure that your running technique is correct. Landing with your heels is a very common practice that can lead to serious injuries.

Bursitis

The two habits previously mentioned can lead to injury, causing very common heel pain and discomfort and what's called bursitis. This occurs when the bursa, which is the sac that lines the heel joints and supports muscle movements, becomes inflamed and filled with fluid.

This results in heel pain and discomfort when walking. Bursitis should be diagnosed and treated by a podiatrist, so if you suspect that you have it, it's best to consult a specialist.

Plantar fasciitis

The fascia is a band of tissue that's located on the bottom of the feet. When you do intense aerobic workouts, suffer from flat feet, have inappropriate footwear, or worn out shoes, or are overweight or have diabetes, these can all increase the chances of the fascia becoming inflamed, thus causing plantar fasciitis.

In this case, the proper diagnosis of a podiatrist is required who will prescribe the appropriate treatment to eliminate discomfort. There are certain remedies for plantar fasciitis that can help to reduce the symptoms of this condition.

Inflammation of the Achilles tendon

Inflammation of the Achilles tendon is another medical condition that causes heel pain. This occurs in people who exercise using many jumps, or those who wear worn out or inappropriate footwear. It can also occur in patients with health conditions such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis.

The heel spur

The heel spur is a bone formation that protrudes from the calcaneus (heel) bone, causing significant discomfort when walking or doing other physical activity. This occurs as the body's response to being overburdened, manifesting itself in the feet. This condition mainly affects overweight people.

The heel spur requires complete professional treatment, helping to correct the problem and relieve discomfort. To accompany this treatment, there are some exercises that can also help.

Other causes

Other causes of heel pain are:

  • A bone fracture in this area
  • Open wounds
  • Callus
  • Stiffness in the calf muscles
  • Stiffness in the Achilles tendon

The treatment of heel pain depends entirely on the root of the problem. If your heel pain lasts more than three weeks or occurs with a sudden pain, preventing your mobility, it's crucial to visit a podiatrist for a full series of tests.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

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