Why Does My Heel Hurt? 5 Top Causes
You wake up in the morning, and the moment you place your foot on the floor, you experience a sharp pain in your heels, as if someone is continuously stabbing them! Occasionally, do your heels ache for a couple of days after a particular activity? Ever wondered what’s causing all of it? There could be various causes and not merely one. So, let’s look at the five top reasons that lead to aching heels.
What is Heel Pain?
Hurting the heel is a common condition. It results from inflammation, nerve compression, bone changes, and other factors. People suffering from pain feel under or behind the heel, where the Achilles tendon connects to the heel bone. In some cases, it can affect the heel’s side. Let’s look at some common causes that hurt heels.
5 Common Causes of Heel Pain
Here are some common reasons why heels hurt.
- Plantar Fasciitis
It is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a strong, bowstring-like ligament that extends from the calcaneum or the heel bone to the foot’s tip. Pain from plantar fasciitis usually stems from an individual’s foot anatomy. For instance, particularly high or low arches cause plantar fasciitis.
- Haglund’s Deformity
This is a bony enlargement on the heel’s back. It occurs due to friction between the footwear and the back of the heel that leads to irritation of the bone enlargement and surrounding tissue. Using hard-backed shoes and pumps can stress the heel’s rear portion, causing irritation in Haglund’s deformity.
- Stress Fracture
Performing exercises that strain the heel or doing a lot of heavy manual work puts pressure on the heels and can lead to heel pain. In addition, repetitive stress can hurt the heel. People who perform heavy activities are more prone to stress fractures in the foot’s metatarsal bones. Besides, conditions like osteoporosis can result in stress fractures.
- Heel Bursitis
The bursa (the back of the heel) is a fibrous sac full of fluid. Inflammation can occur in the bursa from awkward or hard landing on the heels or footwear pressure. Heel bursitis can cause pain in the heel’s back or deep inside it.
- Achilles Tendinitis
Inflammation in the large tendon in the back of the heel causes Achilles tendinitis. The most common causes of this condition include overuse and injury.
Some other conditions that hurt heels include bone bruises, Sever’s disease, Tarsal tunnel syndrome, systemic arthritis, poor posture while walking or running, Baxter’s nerve entrapment, etc. The intensity of the pain varies from patient to patient and depends on various factors that require a diagnosis to design individualized treatment.
Visit Ranka Hospital if you are suffering from heel pain. Our doctors will diagnose your case and provide an effective and personalized heel pain treatment. Call us at +91 20 2426 1600 to book an appointment with our doctors.
