Heel pain when walking

Mechanical damage, uncomfortable or stiletto-heeled shoes, certain diseases of the body, biomechanical factors - all this causes pain in the heel when walking. When the first discomfort appears, pay close attention to the alarm signal and do not let the situation slide.

The heel is a soft, spongy bone, supplied with blood vessels and nerve endings that go through it to other parts of the foot. This fact determines its maximum sensitivity to various types of damage. The heel, together with the entire sole, performs the function of a shock absorber. The largest bone of the foot undergoes various, sometimes significant loads during physical activity.

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Causes of Heel Pain When Walking

Unpleasant feelings in movement arise suddenly or increase gradually, acquiring the character of acute and constant pain in the heel area. Be that as it may, the pain syndrome from the sole brings a feeling of complete helplessness, inferiority and knocks you out of your usual life rhythm for a long time. Of course, it is difficult to remain optimistic when every step is reflected in the whole body as a burning, piercing, pulsating pain.

The causes of heel pain when walking may be the following:

• inflammatory processes or damage to the integrity of the fibrous connective layer located on the sole from the heel to the toe arch;
• heel spur – inflammatory and degenerative changes of the plantar fascia of a chronic type;
• plantar fasciitis - a thickening of the connective tissue, usually as a result of stretching, a condition that precedes a heel spur;
• erythromelalgia is a vascular disease that disrupts peripheral vasomotor reflexes and is characterized by dilation of veins and arteries;
• hereditary sensory neuropathy is a type of polyneuropathy (a disease of the peripheral nervous system with diffuse damage to the nerve fiber);
• heel pain syndrome - prolonged tension in the foot, causing pain in the heel when walking;
• tendinitis – damage/inflammation in the Achilles tendon;
• tendon strain/rupture;
• some infections of the body, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, etc. The development of reactive arthritis is a complication after an infectious lesion of the genitourinary system, intestines or nasopharynx;
• Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the joints.

Heel pain is a reason to see a rheumatologist or traumatologist.

Symptoms of Heel Pain When Walking

The consequence of a heel spur will be pain of a local nature, which intensifies in the morning. During the day, the intensity of the pain decreases, reminding of itself with a new attack when putting weight on the foot after a period of immobility.

Pain in the back of the leg and above the heel indicates a problem with the Achilles tendon. Damage to the plantar tendon is expressed by pain in the heel area below the foot.

A burning sensation similar to a nail - symptoms of heel pain when walking associated with tendon injury. The cause of a stretch/tear can be both high-heeled shoes with pronounced flat feet, and a strong blow.

Pain syndrome in the heel area (often in the hands) of a burning nature, as well as in a resting position in the morning, intensifying with heating, is characteristic of erythromelalgia. The process occurs with redness (sometimes cyanosis is present) of painful areas and an increase in their temperature.

Burning and pain in the heel when walking determines different types of polyneuropathy. Hereditary sensory neuropathy occurs with pain in the muscle structures of a pulling nature, accompanied by cramps. Similar sensations affect the shoulders, pelvis and arms. Unpleasant feelings weaken in a relaxed state.

Particularly severe pain, mainly at night, is typical of an infectious disease.

Heel pain after walking

Infectious-reactive inflammation of the Achilles tendon is characterized by pain during movement, as well as heel pain after walking during rest. Patients note the painful manifestation of reactive arthritis, especially at night. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the eyes, joints and discomfort in the genital area.

Morning pain syndrome is caused by plantar fasciitis. The desire to lean on the sole of the foot in the first moments after sleep brings particular pain.

Nerve compression (tarsal tunnel syndrome) occurs with its own symptoms in each patient. Some patients note acute pain in the heel when walking with a complete loss of mobility of the foot, others - a disturbance of sensitivity. The disease, which belongs to the group of neuropathies, can also be characterized by pain with tingling after walking.

Diagnosis of heel pain when walking

During the appointment, the doctor checks muscle reflexes, the condition of nerve endings. When assessing their strength, he asks about the strength of your sensations. Based on the initial examination and palpation, the specialist will prescribe additional examination - X-ray, tests.

Each case of disease requires its own instrumental and laboratory methods.

Diagnosis of heel pain when walking with suspected plantar fasciitis and heel spurs is carried out using an X-ray.

Ultrasound and MRI help to identify problems in the Achilles tendon.

In case of inflammatory processes in the Achilles tendon bursa (Achillobursitis), in addition to X-ray diagnostics, laboratory testing is used. An X-ray image indicates the source of inflammation as a result of a fracture or degenerative changes. The following tests are taken:

• blood (general);
• blood test for uric acid levels (to rule out/confirm gout);
• The liquid environment of the Achilles bursa is tested using bacteriological and bacterioscopic methods in case of infectious bursitis.

Heel pain when walking due to nerve compression is determined instrumentally and in the laboratory. In the first case, they do:

• an X-ray image showing changes in bone tissue (thinning/rarefaction), as well as to identify bone growths that may be compressing a nerve;
• Electromyography records electrical impulses from the interaction of nerves and muscle structures;
• identification of the conductivity of nerves;
• Ultrasound/MRI to detect tumors.

Laboratory diagnostics include a blood sugar test to rule out the diabetic nature of neuropathy.

Treatment for heel pain when walking

If you feel pain in your heel when walking, first aid is ice for two days. During the day, you need to massage your heel until it goes numb with an ice cube at least four times. After two days, you can alternate cold and heat. Ice for 15 minutes, rest for 15 minutes, then a hot water bottle for the same amount of time. This manipulation is recommended once a day.

Sometimes it is necessary to take a painkiller, such as ibuprofen. It is better to discuss the use of medications with the doctor on an individual basis.

Often, the pain syndrome can be overcome by using an orthopedic insole (selected by an orthopedist) and warming up. For example, this exercise:

• stand in front of the wall so that when you stretch out your arms, you touch it;
• place your palms on the wall;
• take a step back with your right leg and bend your left knee;
• lean towards the wall and lower the heel of your right foot to the floor (feel the tension in your calf);
• hold the position for 15 counts;
• do the same with your left leg (total: ten movements for both legs);
• IMPORTANT! Avoid sudden movements, do not put all your weight on your foot, beware of injury.

Treating heel pain when walking is a long process that should be entrusted to a medical professional. To enhance the therapeutic effect, the doctor may recommend refraining from physical activity, applying a splint, or fixing the foot with a rigid bandage during sleep.

To improve blood circulation, use salt, soda, and soap baths. To cope with the pain of heel spurs, use a tincture of meadowsweet, bought at a pharmacy or prepared at home (1 tablespoon of the plant per third of a glass of water). Continue taking it for at least 20 days (before meals, three times a day).

Providing rest, physiotherapy procedures, massage are prescribed by the doctor. Some diseases require treatment with antibiotics, surgical intervention (adhesive processes, tissue scarring) or the use of shock wave therapy.

In addition to a traumatologist and rheumatologist, patients with heel pain due to nerve compression may need to consult a phlebologist/vascular surgeon if the cause of the pain is varicose veins. If there is pressure on the nerves due to tissue scarring or mechanical damage, you should consult a surgeon. A neurologist can help with the problem of tunnel syndrome.

How to prevent heel pain when walking?

Preventing heel diseases is much easier than curing them. When choosing a sport, you should give preference to cycling, swimming, and forget about walking and running. Excessive weight is also an important factor influencing the development of heel pain.

Always choose only comfortable shoes. Orthopedic inserts that support the ligamentous and muscular structures of the feet will not be superfluous.

Prevention of heel pain when walking consists of the following measures:

• blood sugar check, callus/corn prevention;
• During pregnancy, it is extremely important for women to wear comfortable low-heeled shoes, use orthopedic insoles to support the foot muscles, and reduce impact loads;
• increase the intensity of physical exercise evenly, be sure to warm up the muscles before active training to prevent sprains and dislocations;
• timely diagnosis and treatment of flat feet;
• checking the body for hidden infections;
• protect the sole from overload (for example, from jumping);
• use of therapeutic exercises;
• monitoring the condition of veins;
• rational nutrition.

Heel pain when walking should never be ignored. This symptom often becomes stronger over time and develops into a form that is difficult to treat.