Top 4 Causes of Heel Pain
People love lists of things at the top. Stuff gets categorized all the time: the top happiest cities, the top most beautiful small towns, the top fastest cars, the top smartest phones, and on and on. These lists are interesting, but they can also help people make purchases, take fun vacations, and even take care of themselves. Sometimes knowing the top causes of health problems can help you take better care of yourself. This can certainly be the case with the top heel pain causes—in many cases, these common culprits are preventable. Knowing what to watch for and how to avoid the problem can save you a lot of pain in the long run.
Heel pain is a common problem with lots of different causes. It can affect many structures in the back of the foot, depending on the underlying issue. For the most frequent sources of heel pain, though, the problem can be avoided all together:
Plantar fasciitis – This is thickening and irritation in the ligament that runs the length of your sole and attaches to your heel. It’s a problem with excessive pressure on your foot overstretching this band. Overuse without sufficient support can contribute to it, too.
Achilles tendon issues – This is irritation, thickening, and swelling in your Achilles, usually as a result of overuse. Poor warm-ups for sports, or failing to adequately condition your lower limbs, can lead to Achilles problems.
Pump bumps – These hard bumps on the back of your heel bone develop when the stiff backs of shoes put too much pressure there.
Sever’s disease – Found only in growing, active kids, this develops when a child is experiencing a growth spurt while playing lots of sports. Keeping your child’s foot well-stretched and conditioned for athletics can help.
These are by no means the only sources of heel pain. They are, however, among the most common—and the most preventable. Wearing appropriate shoes and conditioning your lower limbs to prevent overuse can go a long way for foot health. If you’re at all concerned about heel pain, or know you already have it, let our team at Gulf South Foot & Ankle help you. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to manage. Just call (504) 708-4810 to make an appointment at our Metairie, LA, office. You can also use our online contact forms.