Heel pain is one of the most common foot conditions that occur in adults. Some experience stabbing pain in the heels first thing in the morning, and for some, heel pain worsens after excessive walking or standing.

The possible causes of pain in the heel bone or structure are many. Depending on the underlying cause of the discomfort, a footdoctor can suggest a suitable treatment. Adequate rest is the easiest method to overcome any discomfort in the heel region. Immobilizing the heels or taking pain medications are good for temporary relief; however, for permanent heel pain treatment, sometimes patients resort to therapies and even surgeries.

In today’s post, we will discuss the common causes and symptoms of heel pain, along with the diagnosis and treatment choices available for thiscondition. The post can be really helpful if your quality of life is affected due to heel pain and you are searching for the best suited heel pain treatment.

What causes heel pain?

Heel pain is observed when the structures and tissues surrounding the heel bone are injured or infected. The causes of heel pain are divided into three different categories:

• Common heel pain causes: Inflamed tissues in the heel bone result in plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Both these disorders occur due to overuse. Mild swelling, morning stiffness and difficulty in sleeping are some of the common signs that people observe when they suffer from inflamed heel tissues.
• Uncommon heel pain causes: Apart from overuse injuries, heel pain can affect the quality of life in the form of tarsal tunnel syndrome, foot and ankle fractures, heel bruises, Sinus Tarsi syndrome and Haglund’s syndrome.These types of injuries or heel disorders are associated with weight-bearing activities. Based on the condition, discomfort can be observed in the anterior lateral part of the ankle.
• Rare heel pain causes:A smaller percentage of adults suffering from heel pain also observe fever due to heel bone infections. Painful heel bumps and heel bone tumours can also affect the sleep schedule because the pain worsens at night.

Heel pain symptoms that must not avoid

The majority of foot and ankle pain conditions can be treated easily with rest. In most cases, the pain subsides on its own. The medical evaluation must not be delayed if the pain continues for more than a week and is associated with the following symptoms:

1. Walking difficulties
2. Deep heel pain that worsens at night
3. Swollen heels
4. Discoloration of heels
5. Redness, warmth and fever

Overuse results in heel pain and walking difficulties. However, if you are unsure of the underlying reasons for the symptoms listed above, it is best to seek immediate guidance from a healthcare provider. 

What is involved in the diagnosis of heel pain?

Appointments for heel pain treatments are usually made with a podiatrist. These are foot specialists, they conduct a thorough assessment to understand the root cause of foot, ankle, and heel pain or any other abnormalities affecting the foot functioning. When you visit a podiatrist’s clinic for heel pain treatment, the diagnosis may include the following steps:

• Medical history: The most crucial step of heel pain diagnosis is medical history. Your first appointment with a podiatrist includes basic questions like the location of the pain, intensity and duration of pain, activities that might be associated with the pain, or any other symptoms or unusual aspects related to the discomfort.
• Physical examination:The examination is conducted to check swelling, bruising, redness or any other sign of foot deformity. Physical examination is usually conducted by pressing on the affected areas. The evaluation might also include gait analysis and assessment of foot and ankle positioning. This helps in confirming the walking pattern or any other underlying causes of overuse injuries.
• Blood tests: Blood scans are not needed for common causes of heel pain. However, a CRP (C- reactive protein) test is recommended when signs of infection are observed along with heel pain.
• Advanced imaging: Physical examination is insufficient in case of stress fractures, therefore X-ray imaging and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are also used to diagnose the injury or disorder affecting the soft tissues.

Types of heel pain treatment

A podiatrist recommends the best suited treatment option after a thorough evaluation of your foot condition. However, in some cases, rest and at-home remedies are also effective for easing the symptoms causing discomfort in the heel region. Therefore, the heel pain treatment options are divided into two categories:

1. At home heel pain treatment:Immobilizing the heel for a while is beneficial for the most common types of heel pains. One can avoid jogging, excessive walking or any weight bearing activities for a few days to relieve the symptoms. Applying an icepack over the affected areas for a period of 15-20 minutes can effectively diminish the pain and swelling.

When heel pain affects the sleep schedule, people tend to get over-the-counter pain medication. It is highly advised to seek medical advice before taking any medication.

2. Experts recommended heel pain treatments:It is best to consult a podiatrist for more acute causes of heel pain. Based on the diagnosis and the severity of the symptoms, the doctors can recommend the following treatment options:
   1. Taping: Sports taping technique is often recommended for plantar fasciitis or heel bruises
   2. Orthotics: Painful foot movement can be treated easily with custom orthotic devices recommended by a podiatrist.
   3. Physical therapy: A specialized exercise program is often suggested to relax the heel tissues affectedby Achilles tendonitis.
   4. Footwear changes: Certain heel pain causes are related to ill-fitted footwear. Your foot doctor can help you find the right shape and size of shoes to overcome the discomforting experiences.
   5. Pain medications: Podiatrists can also recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for relieving the signs of severe heel pain for a shorter period of time.
   6. Surgery: Apart from the above mentioned conservative treatment options, heel pain can also be treated with surgical interventions. One must try all the above listed treatment options for a recommended period of 12 months before opting for heel bone surgery.

Conclusion

Heel pain issues are very common and can be treated with at-home remedies. However, one must not delay medical guidance for severe conditions. Consult the expert podiatrists at Orange County Foot and Ankle Group for a thorough diagnosis and a personalized heel pain treatment plan.