A painful heel can disrupt the ability to participate in favorite sports and hobbies and if severe enough, it can make walking painful. As with any injury, the best bet is to seek treatment as soon as symptoms appear. In many cases, if the cause of heel pain is diagnosed in the early stages of an injury, it is easier to treat and recovery time is quicker.
Plantar Fasciitis
There is a band of tissue that is attached to the heel bone, runs along the bottom of the foot and attaches to the bones in the ball of the foot. This band of tissue is called the plantar fascia and it helps to form the arch of the foot. If this band gets too tight a high arch can result. If it is loose then flat feet may develop.
Age, obesity, prolonged periods of standing, over training or suddenly increasing the frequency of training, can all cause irritation or even a tear of the plantar fascia and heel pain, states the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Bone Spurs
The exact location of the pain can often help to determine the cause. Pain that occurs directly under the heel bone may be due to a bone spur warns, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Bone spurs are abnormal growths on existing bone. A common site for bone spurs in the foot, is where the plantar fascia connects to the heel bone.
Bone spurs usually occur because the body is trying to heal an injury. If the plantar fascia is irritated or there is excessive force on the heel bone due to obesity, over training, long periods of standing or heavy lifting, the body may grow a bone spur to try to strengthen the area.
Achilles Tendinitis
The Achilles tendon is a tough band of tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Too much activity or going from being inactive to active very quickly, can both cause this tendon to become inflamed.
Since the calf muscle helps to point the toes and with pushing off the toes, activities such as excessive walking, running and jumping are the most common triggers for this condition, claims the National Institutes of Health. With age, arthritic changes can also contribute to Achilles tendinitis. No matter what the cause, it is important to start treatment early on. If pushed too far, the tendon can tear or completely rupture.
Retrocalcaneal Bursitis
Within the joints of the body are fluid filled sacs called bursa, that provide cushioning. One of these sacs is located at the back of the calcaneus or heel bone. Over training and going from being inactive to very active, can both case the bursa to become inflamed, which in turn causes heel pain. If this condition is not allowed to heal properly, it can become chronic.
Bone Bruise
There is a padded area on the bottom of the heel that is made up of fat. It is designed to absorb shock and protect the heel bone from injury. When stepping on a sharp object, this pad can become bruised and cause heel pain. If the bruise is severe enough, the skin of the heel may become discolored. This condition usually does not require any treatment, beside resting the area and applying ice.
