A patient named Richard came to see me recently for what he described as heel pain. His story is no different from others I have heard and I think it bears repeating in his own words:
“I am a construction worker and I have to be on my feet most of the time. My feet never gave me any problems until a few weeks ago, when I had to walk up and down stairs several times a day. After about one week at work i noticed pain in my heel to the point that i could barely walk. The holidays were coming so i thought about resting to see if i would get better. but it is just as bad and even worse first thing in the morning. what could it be causing it? “
Heel pain is the most common foot problem, affecting two million Americans each year. When you consider how much stress you put on your feet on a daily basis just by standing and walking, it’s amazing that there are no more foot problems. Injuries to the ligaments, muscles, and tendons in the legs cause painful conditions that can also affect your feet.
Richard’s case is not unusual podiatry specialist Hixson tn. As a man in his 50s who has worked physical labor for most of his life, he depended on his feet to keep going. After years of hitting his feet he finally said, stop it! Most people take his feet for granted. Let’s be honest; Unless you feel pain with every step, you happily go about your daily activities regardless of the damage you might be doing to your poor feet.
Why is your heel more likely to be affected? As the largest bone in the foot and the part that absorbs the most pressure, the heel often hits the ground faster, especially during high-impact aerobic activities.
The pain can occur in the front, back, or bottom of your cure. Some of the most common symptoms are:
• Morning Heel Pain: Although not standing will temporarily relieve pain, it returns quickly when weight is placed on the feet for the first time in morning pain.
• Tenderness and swelling: This can be the first sign that something is wrong. Many people do not realize they have an injury until they feel tenderness and swelling in the heel.
• Localized pain: Indicating where the pain is felt helps determine what the problem might be.
• Numbness and tingling: This could indicate a pinched nerve or heel spur that interferes with the nerves that are working properly in the heel.
What could possibly be causing the pain?
When patients like Richard complain of heel pain, it’s important to gather as much information about lifestyle and general health issues as possible. There are several risk factors that can contribute to foot pain, such as obesity, diabetes, being on your feet most of the day, suddenly becoming very active, or having flat feet or a high arch.
Aging also plays a role in the development of heel pain. As you age, the fat pad in your heel becomes thinner and cannot absorb as much stress from walking or running. An additional blow can damage the plantar fascia and cause it to swell, tear, or bruise. Other factors include:
• Shoes – How the shoes fit and support your feet is extremely important. Shoes that don’t fit well can put pressure on the heel, add tension during movement, and cause misalignment throughout the foot.
• Exercise – Athletes often overindulge and find themselves adding stress to the heel of the foot. Taking proper precautions before and after training, wearing supportive athletic shoes, and gradually warming up for a more rigorous workout can prevent potential injury.
Some common medical conditions that affect the heels and feet include:
• Plantar fasciitis: This is the most common cause and occurs when the ligament that runs along the sole of the foot (plantar fascia ligament) becomes inflamed due to a tear. Pain is usually felt in the lower front of the heel as an indication of plantar fasciitis.
• Heel spurs: These are pointed bone fragments that extend from the heel and point toward the toes. When the spur passes through the tissue and nerves of the foot, the pain can be excruciating.