What are the common causes of outer heel pain. How can outer heel pain be diagnosed and treated. What lifestyle changes can help prevent outer heel pain. When should you see a doctor for outer heel pain.

Understanding Outer Heel Pain: More Than Just Plantar Fasciitis

Outer heel pain is a common foot condition that can significantly impact daily activities and quality of life. While many people assume heel pain is always caused by plantar fasciitis, there are actually several potential causes of pain on the outer side of the heel. This article explores the various factors that can lead to outer heel pain, how it’s diagnosed, and treatment options to find relief.

Common Causes of Outer Heel Pain

Outer heel pain can have several underlying causes:

• Peroneal tendonitis
• Sinus tarsi syndrome
• Lateral calcaneal bursitis
• Stress fracture of the calcaneus
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Cuboid syndrome
• Ankle sprain

Can outer heel pain be caused by plantar fasciitis? While plantar fasciitis typically causes pain on the bottom of the heel, in some cases it can refer pain to the outer heel area. However, true outer heel pain is more commonly associated with other conditions affecting the lateral structures of the foot and ankle.

Diagnosing the Source of Outer Heel Pain

Proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of outer heel pain. A thorough examination by a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist typically includes:

• Review of medical history and symptoms
• Physical examination of the foot and ankle
• Gait analysis
• Imaging studies (X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound)

How can doctors differentiate between various causes of outer heel pain? The location, quality, and timing of pain, along with specific physical exam findings, help guide the diagnosis. For example, pain that worsens with inversion of the foot may indicate peroneal tendonitis, while pain localized to a small area on the outer heel bone could suggest a stress fracture.

Treatment Options for Outer Heel Pain

Treatment for outer heel pain depends on the underlying cause but may include:

1. Rest and activity modification
2. Ice therapy
3. Anti-inflammatory medications
4. Physical therapy exercises
5. Orthotics or supportive footwear
6. Corticosteroid injections
7. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
8. Surgery (in severe or chronic cases)

Are there any home remedies that can help alleviate outer heel pain? Some simple at-home treatments that may provide relief include:
– Rolling a frozen water bottle under the foot
– Stretching exercises for the calf muscles and plantar fascia
– Wearing supportive shoes with good arch support
– Using over-the-counter heel cups or cushioned insoles

Preventing Outer Heel Pain: Lifestyle and Footwear Choices

Prevention is often the best medicine when it comes to outer heel pain. Consider these strategies to reduce your risk:

• Wear properly fitting, supportive shoes
• Gradually increase exercise intensity and duration
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Stretch and warm up before physical activities
• Cross-train with low-impact activities
• Replace athletic shoes regularly

How often should you replace your athletic shoes to prevent outer heel pain? As a general rule, replace running shoes every 300-500 miles or every 6-8 months for regular use. However, this can vary based on your activity level, body weight, and running surface.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Outer Heel Pain

While mild heel pain may resolve with home care, certain symptoms warrant professional evaluation:

• Severe pain or swelling
• Inability to bear weight on the affected foot
• Pain that persists for more than a few weeks despite home treatment
• Heel pain accompanied by fever or redness
• History of diabetes or peripheral neuropathy

Is outer heel pain ever a sign of a more serious condition? In rare cases, persistent heel pain could be a symptom of certain types of arthritis, tarsal coalition, or even tumors. If you have ongoing concerns, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation.

The Role of Biomechanics in Outer Heel Pain

Understanding the biomechanics of the foot and ankle can provide insights into the development of outer heel pain. Factors that can contribute to increased stress on the lateral structures of the foot include:

• High arches (pes cavus)
• Overpronation
• Leg length discrepancy
• Tight calf muscles
• Weakness in foot and ankle muscles

How does foot structure affect the risk of developing outer heel pain? Individuals with high arches may be more prone to lateral foot pain due to increased pressure on the outer edge of the foot during walking and running. Conversely, those with flat feet may experience increased strain on the peroneal tendons, potentially leading to tendonitis and outer heel pain.

Gait Analysis and Custom Orthotics

For individuals with recurrent outer heel pain, a comprehensive gait analysis can be beneficial. This assessment evaluates how a person walks or runs, identifying any abnormalities in foot and ankle motion that may contribute to pain. Based on the findings, custom orthotics may be prescribed to address specific biomechanical issues and provide targeted support.

Can over-the-counter insoles be as effective as custom orthotics for treating outer heel pain? While prefabricated insoles can provide some relief for mild cases, custom orthotics are tailored to an individual’s unique foot structure and gait pattern. For complex or chronic cases of outer heel pain, custom orthotics often offer superior results in terms of pain relief and prevention of recurrence.

Rehabilitation and Strengthening Exercises for Outer Heel Pain

Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in both treating and preventing outer heel pain. A comprehensive exercise program typically includes:

1. Stretching exercises for the calf muscles, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia
2. Strengthening exercises for the intrinsic foot muscles
3. Balance and proprioception training
4. Eccentric heel drops for Achilles and peroneal tendon health
5. Foam rolling techniques for the lower leg muscles

What are some effective exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting the outer heel? Try these exercises to target the lateral foot and ankle muscles:
– Resistance band eversion: Wrap a resistance band around the foot and rotate the foot outward against the resistance.
– Toe spreads: Spread your toes wide, hold for a few seconds, then relax. Repeat 10-15 times.
– Single-leg balance: Stand on one foot for 30 seconds, progressing to standing on an unstable surface like a foam pad.
– Lateral step-ups: Step up sideways onto a low platform, focusing on controlled movements.

The Importance of Proper Form and Technique

When performing exercises or engaging in physical activities, maintaining proper form is essential to prevent outer heel pain. This is particularly important in sports that involve repetitive lateral movements, such as tennis, basketball, or soccer.

How can athletes reduce their risk of outer heel pain during sports? Focus on these key points:
– Wear sport-specific shoes with good lateral support
– Practice proper landing techniques to absorb shock
– Incorporate agility drills to improve foot and ankle stability
– Gradually increase training intensity to allow tissues to adapt
– Listen to your body and avoid pushing through pain

Alternative Therapies for Outer Heel Pain

In addition to conventional treatments, some individuals find relief from outer heel pain through alternative therapies. These may include:

• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy
• Kinesiology taping
• Low-level laser therapy
• Herbal remedies (e.g., arnica or turmeric for inflammation)

Are there any risks associated with using alternative therapies for outer heel pain? While many alternative treatments are generally safe, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before trying new therapies, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications. Some herbal supplements can interact with medications, and certain manual therapies may not be appropriate for all individuals.

The Role of Nutrition in Heel Health

While often overlooked, nutrition can play a role in maintaining healthy feet and potentially reducing the risk of heel pain. Key nutrients that support foot health include:

• Vitamin C for collagen production
• Omega-3 fatty acids for reducing inflammation
• Vitamin D and calcium for bone health
• Magnesium for muscle function
• Zinc for tissue repair

Can dietary changes help alleviate outer heel pain? While nutrition alone is unlikely to resolve outer heel pain, a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods and nutrients that support tissue health may complement other treatment approaches. Additionally, staying well-hydrated is important for maintaining the elasticity of soft tissues in the feet.

The Impact of Footwear on Outer Heel Pain

Proper footwear is crucial in both preventing and managing outer heel pain. When selecting shoes, consider the following factors:

• Adequate arch support
• Firm heel counter for stability
• Cushioning in the heel area
• Proper fit with enough room in the toe box
• Appropriate level of flexibility

How do different types of shoes affect the risk of outer heel pain? High heels can increase pressure on the forefoot and alter natural foot biomechanics, potentially leading to various foot problems including heel pain. Conversely, shoes with minimal support like flip-flops or worn-out athletic shoes may not provide enough cushioning and stability, increasing stress on the heel and surrounding structures.

Choosing the Right Athletic Shoes

For individuals engaged in sports or regular exercise, selecting the appropriate athletic shoes is particularly important. Consider these tips:

• Choose shoes designed for your specific sport or activity
• Get fitted at a specialty running store for proper sizing
• Consider your foot type (e.g., high arches vs. flat feet) when selecting shoes
• Replace shoes regularly to ensure adequate support and cushioning
• Use sport-specific insoles for additional support if needed

Should you wear different shoes for different activities to prevent outer heel pain? Yes, using activity-specific footwear can help reduce the risk of outer heel pain and other foot injuries. For example, court shoes provide lateral support for sports like tennis or basketball, while running shoes offer cushioning for impact absorption during jogging or distance running.

Managing Outer Heel Pain in Special Populations

Certain groups may be more susceptible to outer heel pain or require special considerations in treatment:

Athletes

Athletes, especially those involved in high-impact or lateral movement sports, are at increased risk for outer heel pain. Management strategies may include:

• Sport-specific training programs
• Regular stretching and strengthening routines
• Proper warm-up and cool-down practices
• Use of protective taping or bracing
• Gradual return-to-play protocols following injury

Older Adults

Older individuals may experience outer heel pain due to age-related changes in foot structure and reduced tissue elasticity. Considerations for this population include:

• Low-impact exercise options (e.g., swimming, cycling)
• Balance training to reduce fall risk
• Comfortable, supportive footwear with easy closures
• Regular foot checks for other age-related foot conditions

Individuals with Diabetes

People with diabetes need to take extra precautions with foot health due to the risk of neuropathy and poor circulation. Management of outer heel pain in diabetic individuals may involve:

• Regular foot examinations by a healthcare provider
• Use of diabetic-specific footwear and insoles
• Careful monitoring of skin integrity
• Conservative treatment approaches to avoid complications

How does the approach to treating outer heel pain differ for individuals with diabetes? Due to the increased risk of complications, treatment for diabetic individuals often focuses on non-invasive methods and careful monitoring. Corticosteroid injections and certain physical therapy techniques may be used more cautiously, and any wounds or skin changes require prompt attention to prevent serious complications.

Emerging Treatments for Outer Heel Pain

As research in foot and ankle medicine progresses, new treatments for outer heel pain are being developed and refined. Some emerging therapies include:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Stem cell therapy
• Percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy
• Advanced bracing technologies
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques

Are these new treatments for outer heel pain widely available? Many of these emerging treatments are still considered experimental or are only available at specialized centers. Their effectiveness may vary depending on the specific cause of heel pain, and long-term studies are often needed to establish their safety and efficacy. Patients interested in these treatments should discuss options with a foot and ankle specialist to determine if they are appropriate candidates.

The Future of Heel Pain Management

Looking ahead, the field of heel pain management is likely to see advancements in several areas:

• Personalized treatment plans based on genetic and biomechanical profiles
• Wearable technology for real-time gait analysis and feedback
• Advanced imaging techniques for more precise diagnosis
• Regenerative medicine approaches to promote tissue healing
• Telemedicine platforms for remote monitoring and rehabilitation

How might these advancements change the way outer heel pain is treated in the future? As technology and medical knowledge progress, treatment for outer heel pain is likely to become more personalized and precise. This could lead to faster recovery times, more effective non-surgical interventions, and better long-term outcomes for patients suffering from chronic heel pain.

Exercises to help prevent plantar fasciitis

Left: To strengthen arch muscles, place a towel on the floor, grab the towel with your toes and pull it toward you. Top: While sitting, grasp your toes and gently pull them toward you until you feel a stretch in the arch of your foot. Right: Stand as shown, with your back leg straight and heel down. Move your hips forward until you feel a stretch in your calf. Switch legs and repeat. Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds — don’t bounce — and do one or two repetitions two to three times a day.

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Outer Heel Pain | by Karl Lockett of Heel Clinic Sydney

What Causes Outer Heel Pain

A 34-year-old healthy female presented to the podiatrist at the Sydney heel pain clinic complaining of outer heel pain. The discomfort that she was experiencing was located laterally, along the side of her right heel just below her ankle bone. The patient was sure that she was suffering from a condition known as plantar fasciitis, but she had not had this diagnosed by a professional or healthcare practitioner. She had carried out her own online research and as many patients do they come up with their own diagnosis. Quite often many patients present with lateral heel pain or medial heel pain and will inform the podiatrist that they have plantar fasciitis, when in fact they do not. This patient had been experiencing outer of heel pain for only seven days and she reports that the pain came on very suddenly. She advises the podiatrist that she is otherwise a healthy individual and has never experienced foot problems before. She is very active and plays tennis, netball and enjoys hiking. This patient ‘s footwear is extremely supportive and she explains to the podiatrist that she never walks barefoot or uses ballet flats, flip flops, thongs or non-supportive sandals. She is not overweight and it is unlikely that body weight is a contributing factor in her outer heel pain. She explains to the podiatrist that there is also some throbbing and shooting pain along the lateral side of her heel, and that this discomfort runs along the side of her foot toward her little toe. She has been applying cold packs to the area on a day-to-day basis and explains to the practitioner that this has helped to reduce the pain temporarily.

What Caused the Outer Heel Pain?

This patient explains to the podiatrist that her outer heel pain came on following a long game of tennis that lasted approximately 2 hours.

She remembers leaving the tennis court with a throbbing sensation at a sharp pain along the outer heel. She sat down in the changing room and removed her shoes and the outer heel pain increased while she was stationary. When she stood up to move she was unable to bear weight on her right foot due to extreme pain. She was forced to hobble back to her car. While she was driving home the outer heel pain increased further, and there was severe throbbing. After arriving home she found it virtually impossible to walk from her car to the front door of her apartment block. She was unable to walk unassisted due to the extreme outer heel pain, and she explains to the podiatrist that she had to hold on to her husband’s arm with one hand and the wall with the other hand.

Physical Examination of the Outer Heel Pain

In order to diagnose the condition and inform the patient of the cause of her outer heel pain, the podiatrist carried out a physical examination of the right foot. When finger pressure was applied to the peroneal tendon insertion, at the base of the fifth metatarsal the patient reported significant heel pain. She retracted her foot and displayed extreme discomfort in the chair. The podiatrist explained to the patient that the cause of her outer heel pain was in fact inflammation and possible tearing of the peroneal tendon at its insertion, and that she did not have ther symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

The podiatrist carried out further biomechanical measurements and was able to determine that the patient demonstrated extremely limited range of motion throughout her ankle joints due to short and tight calf muscles. It was explained to the patient that this was probably part of the cause of her outer heel pain, as the Achilles tendon would have been applying excessive force through the posterior aspect of the heel, causing an early heel lift. This would in turn overload the peroneal muscle and tendon.

It was explained to the patient that in addition to the specific treatment for the peroneal tendon, in order for the outer heel pain to reverse completely, it would be necessary to stretch and soften the calf muscles. This would involve physiotherapy and stretching outside of the clinic on a daily basis.

Imaging For Out of Heel Pain

In order for the podiatrist to confirm the diagnosis and measure the severity of the outer heel pain, this patient was referred to the imaging centre for ultrasound. The report conclusively revealed that the cause of the outer heel pain was inflammation, and a partial tear in the peroneal tendon close to its insertion.

The patient was informed of this diagnosis over the phone and an appointment was made for her to return to the clinic for treatment.

It should be noted that plantar fasciitis is not the only condition that causes pain in the heel, and more often than not the pain is medial. If you are experiencing outer heel pain there is a good chance that you are suffering with a condition other than plantar fasciitis.

Written by Karl Lockett

Podiatrist

Sydney Heel Pain Clinic

Heel pain causes & treatments – Illnesses & conditions

Treatment for heel pain usually involves using a combination of techniques, such as stretches and painkillers, to relieve pain and speed up recovery.

See your GP or another suitably qualified healthcare professional, such as a podiatrist, if you’ve had persistent heel pain for a number of weeks and it hasn’t cleared up. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and give you specific advice about a suitable exercise programme.

Most cases of heel pain get better within 12 months. Surgery may be recommended as a last resort if your symptoms don’t improve after this time. Only one in 20 people with heel pain will need surgery.

Rest

Rest the affected foot whenever possible. Avoid walking long distances and standing for long periods. However, you should regularly stretch your feet and calves using exercises such as those described below.

Pain relief

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can be used to help relieve pain.

Some people also find applying an ice pack to the affected heel for five to 10 minutes can help relieve pain and inflammation.

However, don’t apply the ice pack directly to your skin. Instead, wrap it in a towel. If you don’t have an ice pack, you can use a packet of frozen vegetables.

Exercise

Exercises designed to stretch both your calf muscles and your plantar fascia (the band of tissue that runs under the sole of your foot) should help relieve pain and improve flexibility in the affected foot.

A number of stretching exercises are described below. It’s usually recommended that you do the exercises on both legs, even if only one of your heels is affected by pain. This will improve your balance and stability as well as relieving your heel pain.

Towel stretches

Keep a long towel beside your bed. Before you get out of bed in the morning, loop the towel around your foot and use it to pull your toes towards your body, while keeping your knee straight. Repeat three times on each foot.

Wall stretches

Place both hands on a wall at shoulder height, with one of your feet in front of the other. The front foot should be about 30cm (12 inches) away from the wall.

With your front knee bent and your back leg straight, lean towards the wall until you feel a tightening in the calf muscles of your back leg. Then relax.

Repeat this exercise 10 times before switching legs and repeating the cycle. You should practise wall stretches twice a day.

Stair stretches

Stand on a step of your stairs facing upstairs, using the banister for support. Your feet should be slightly apart, with your heels hanging off the back of the step.

Lower your heels until you feel a tightening in your calves. Hold this position for about 40 seconds, before raising your heels back to the starting position. Repeat this procedure six times, at least twice a day.

Chair stretches

Sit on a chair, with your knees bent at right angles. Turn your feet sideways so your heels are touching and your toes are pointing in opposite directions. Lift the toes of the affected foot upwards, while keeping your heel firmly on the floor.

You should feel your calf muscles and Achilles tendon (the band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your calf muscle) tighten. Hold this position for several seconds and then relax. Repeat this procedure 10 times, five or six times a day.

Dynamic stretches

While seated, roll the arch of your foot (the curved bottom part of the foot between your toes and heel) over a round object, such as a rolling pin, tennis ball or drinks can. Some people find that using a chilled can from their fridge has the added benefit of helping to relieve pain.

Move your foot and ankle in all directions over the object for several minutes. Repeat the exercise twice a day.

Footwear

Your GP or podiatrist may advise you to change your footwear.

You should avoid wearing flat-soled shoes because they won’t provide your heel with support and could make your heel pain worse.

Ideally, you should wear shoes that cushion your heels and provide a good level of support to the arches of your feet.

For women, wearing high heels, and for men wearing heeled boots or brogues, can provide short- to medium-term pain relief. This is because they help reduce pressure on the heels.

However, these types of shoes may not be suitable in the long-term because they can lead to further episodes of heel pain. Your GP or podiatrist will be able to advise you about suitable footwear.

Orthoses

Orthoses are insoles that fit inside your shoe to support your foot and help your heel recover. You can buy orthoses off-the-shelf from sports shops and larger pharmacies. Alternatively, your podiatrist should be able to recommend a supplier.

If your pain doesn’t respond to treatment and keeps recurring, or if you have an abnormal foot shape or structure, custom-made orthoses are available. These are specifically made to fit the shape of your feet.

However, there’s currently no evidence to suggest that custom-made orthoses are more effective than those bought off-the-shelf.

Strapping and splinting

An alternative to using orthoses is to have your heel strapped with sports strapping (zinc oxide) tape, which helps relieve pressure on your heel. Your GP or podiatrist can teach you how to apply the tape yourself.

In some cases, night splints can also be useful. Most people sleep with their toes pointing down, which means tissue inside the heel is squeezed together.

Night splints, which look like boots, are designed to keep your toes and feet pointing up while you’re asleep. This will stretch both your Achilles tendon and your plantar fascia, which should help speed up your recovery time.

Night splints are usually only available from specialist shops and online retailers. Again, your podiatrist should be able to recommend a supplier.

Corticosteroid injections

If treatment hasn’t helped relieve your painful symptoms, your GP may recommend corticosteroid injections.

Corticosteroids are a type of medication that has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. They have to be used sparingly because overuse can cause serious side effects, such as weight gain and high blood pressure (hypertension).

As a result, it’s usually recommended that no more than three corticosteroid injections are given within a year in any part of the body.

Before having a corticosteroid injection, a local anaesthetic may be used to numb your foot so you don’t feel any pain.

Surgery

If treatment hasn’t worked and you still have painful symptoms after a year, your GP may refer you to either:

• an orthopaedic surgeon – a surgeon who specialises in surgery that involves bones, muscles and joints
• a podiatric surgeon – a podiatrist who specialises in foot surgery

Surgery is sometimes recommended for professional athletes and other sportspeople who have heel pain that’s adversely affecting their career.

Plantar release surgery

Plantar release surgery is the most widely used type of surgery for heel pain. The surgeon will cut the fascia to release it from your heel bone and reduce the tension in your plantar fascia. This should reduce any inflammation and relieve your painful symptoms.

Surgery can be carried out either as:

• open surgery – where the section of the plantar fascia is released by making a cut into your heel
• endoscopic or minimal incision surgery – where a smaller incision is made and special instruments are inserted through it to gain access to the plantar fascia

Endoscopic or minimal incision surgery has a quicker recovery time, so you’ll be able to walk normally much sooner (almost immediately), compared with two to three weeks for open surgery.

A disadvantage of endoscopic surgery is that it requires a specially trained surgical team and specialised equipment, so you may have to wait longer for treatment than if you were to choose open surgery.

Endoscopic surgery also carries a higher risk of damaging nearby nerves, which could result in symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or some loss of movement in your foot.

As with all surgery, plantar release carries the risk of causing complications such as infection, nerve damage and a worsening of your symptoms after surgery (although this is rare).

You should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both techniques with your surgical team. 

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (EST)

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (EST) is a fairly new type of non-invasive treatment. Non-invasive means it doesn’t involve making cuts into the body.

EST involves using a device to deliver high-energy soundwaves into your heel. The soundwaves can sometimes cause pain, so a local anaesthetic may be used to numb your heel.

It’s claimed that EST works in two ways. It’s thought to:

• have a “numbing” effect on the nerves that transmit pain signals to your brain
• help stimulate and speed up the healing process

However, these claims haven’t been definitively proven.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance about the use of EST for treating plantar fasciitis.

NICE states that there are no concerns over the safety of EST, but there are uncertainties about the effectiveness of the procedure for treating heel pain.

Some studies have reported that EST is more effective than surgery and other non-surgical treatments, while other studies found the procedure to be no better than a placebo (sham treatment).

For more information, you can read the NICE guidance about using EST for treating plantar fasciitis (PDF, 96.4kb).

What Causes Pain on the Inside of the Heel?

No matter where heel pain strikes (front, middle, back, or everywhere!), the biggest question on your mind is likely, “How can I make it stop?” However, the location of your heel pain reveals important clues about its underlying cause!

Inner heel pain can present as achy, bruise-like, or sharp and intense. By understanding your unique symptoms and honing in on the why your inner heel hurts, you can take more effective steps toward treatment. Let’s get to the bottom of your inner heel pain:

Why Does My Inner Heel Hurt?

The most common causes of heel pain deep within the heel are trapped nerves, plantar fasciitis, fat pad syndrome, and stress fractures.

Trapped Nerves in the Heel

Sometimes, nerves in the heel can become “entrapped,” or squeezed/constricted because of injury to the foot, trauma, or simply overuse. There are several key nerves that run along the inside of the heel and connect to the posterior tibial nerve. These nerves include the medial plantar nerve medial calcaneal nerve, the lateral plantar nerve, and the nerve to the abductor digiti minimi.

Telltale Symptoms

• Pain may feel tingling, numb, or burning
• You may notice tenderness to the touch along the inner heel. The exact location of the pain will depend on which nerve is entrapped.
• Symptoms may flare up when you walk or participate in physical activities, and improve somewhat with rest
• Pain from an entrapped nerve is usually felt in just one foot

Treatment Options

If your inner heel pain is caused by an entrapped nerve, your doctor will likely recommend rest from activities that aggravate pain, icing, stretching, and anti-inflammatory medication as needed. If these more conservative treatment methods do not work, your doctor may recommend surgery to decompress the entrapped nerve.

Heel Pad Syndrome

A thin, atrophied heel pad can result in a painful condition known as Heel Pad Syndrome. This condition can be caused by aging, weight gain, repetitive impact on hard surfaces, or unsupportive, uncushioned footwear.

Telltale Symptoms

• Bruise-like pain deep in the heel as the fat pad is no longer able to cushion the heel effectively
• Pain that can be recreated by firm pressure on the bottom of the heel
• Pain that gets worse when you walk on hard surfaces
• Heel Pad Syndrome is often closely linked with plantar fasciitis

Treatment Options

Treatments for Heel Pad Syndrome involve lots of rest and better support and cushioning for the heel. Your doctor will likely recommend icing, anti-inflammatory medicines as needed, taping, and orthotic inserts that cushion the heel, support the foot, and reduce pain while walking.

Stress Fractures on the Heel

A stress fracture on the heel is a very thin crack in the heel bone that can be caused by repetitive stress or impact to the heel, or a sudden blow to the heel. The risk for stress fractures is elevated in high impact sports, for people with osteoporosis or with low vitamin D levels, or for individuals who increase the intensity of their workouts significantly without warming up.

Telltale Symptoms

• Pain may come on gradually or onset suddenly and is typically sharp and intense
• Pain that gets worse the longer you stay on your feet and gets worse if you stretch
• Pain that is located in one very specific spot on the heel
• Swelling, redness, and tenderness to the touch

Treatment Options

It’s important to see a doctor and treat suspected stress fractures right away, to avoid further damage or a complete break in the bone. Your doctor may recommend an Ace Bandage or KT tape to help stabilize the foot, and may also recommend crutches, a cast, and complete rest from the foot while you heal. Icing and anti-inflammatories can help with pain while you heal.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is caused by damage to the plantar fascia ligament, which runs from the heel to the ball of the foot. This damage, combined with inflammation in the heel can lead to intense pain in the heel. Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include weight gain, wearing unsupportive shoes, intense exercise without proper warmup, and jobs that require a lot of standing and walking.

Telltale Symptoms

• Pain that is worst in the morning, with the first few steps out of bed
• Pain that gets slightly better with movement and improves with stretching
• Stiff, aching heels
• Swelling, pain, and inflammation in the heels
• Pain may be dull, or sharp and needling

Treatment Options

Thankfully, most cases of plantar fasciitis can be treated at home with rest, stretches to improve flexibility, and orthotic inserts that realign the plantar fascia and cushion the heel. Icing, anti-inflammatory medication, and dietary changes to lose weight when possible can also help speed up healing.

What to Do if You Have Inner Heel Pain

If you have inner heel pain, the most important thing you can do is hone in on your unique symptoms and educate yourself — while you rest from any activities that seem to be exacerbating the pain!

This information will help you communicate effectively with your doctor, determine the source of your inner heel pain, and form an effective and actionable plan for treatment.

In general, most cases of inner heel pain can be resolved with conservative treatment rather than invasive medical procedures like surgery. Unless your heel pain is very severe, or you suspect a fracture, try conservative treatment methods first! In most cases, you’ll be back on your feet in a relatively short amount of time.

Heel Pain Specialist – Union, NJ & Morristown, NJ: Foot & Ankle Specialists of New Jersey: Podiatrist

What Causes Heel Pain?

A sharp shooting pain in the heel of the foot heel pain is usually caused by plantar fasciitis or heel spur syndrome. Other conditions that cause heel pain include arthritis, nerve aggravation, tendonitis, stress fractures, or sometimes a cyst. Your doctor at the Foot & Ankle Specialists of New Jersey will assess the foot, ankle, and lower leg to diagnose the exact cause of the pain is.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the tendons and fascia that connects the heel to the ball of the foot. When this ligament is irritated or inflamed, it swells and tightens causing a stabbing pain in the heel. It may affect one or both feet and is typically worse in the morning, gradually releasing during the day as the foot moves and the tendons relax. The injury is generally caused by excess pressure on the foot from repetitive motions such as running, standing for prolonged periods of time, or being overweight.

What Is a Heel Spur?

Heel spurs are another common cause of pain in a person’s heels. Heel spurs develop when calcium deposits accumulate on the bottom of the heel bone, creating a bony protuberance. While a heel spur doesn’t always cause pain, many patients find that the spur is accompanied by the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. The calcium accumulation that causes heel spurs usually takes place over several months. The buildup is usually caused by straining the muscles and ligaments of the feet, overextending of the plantar fascia, and tearing of the sheath that surrounds the heel bone. For example, athletes who participate in sports that require jumping and running frequently have a greater chance of developing a heel spur. Also, anyone who spends a large amount of time of their feet, are overweight, have diabetes, and those who put a lot of stress on the heel bone are also more likely to develop a heel spur.

What Causes It and What Are Your Treatment Options

Are you experiencing heel pain in the morning? Do the first few steps out of bed cause you to cringe in pain? Discover common causes of a sharp pain in heel and what you can do about it.

What Causes Sharp Pain in the Heels?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. In fact, it has been estimated to affect about two million people in the US. Symptoms of this condition are caused by inflammation and swelling of the plantar fascia, a ligament that extends from your heel to your toes along the bottom of the foot. 

All this inflammation and swelling can lead to a feeling of sharp pain in the heel, usually in the morning or after a rest period. It tends to improve with movement, but can be aggravated by long periods of weight bearing. 

Although Plantar fasciitis is the most common heel injury in athletes, it can affect both sedentary and athletic individuals. Experts believe this heel pain results from chronic overload due to lifestyle or exercise, such as standing for long periods of time or running.

Risk Factors for Plantar Fasciitis / Sharp Heel Pain

Some common risk factors for plantar fasciitis involving sharp heel pain include:  

• Obesity
• Pes planus (flat feet)
• Pes cavus (high-arched feet)
• Shortened Achilles tendon
• Overpronation (inward roll)
• Limited ankle dorsiflexion
• Weak intrinsic muscles of the foot
• Weak plantar flexor muscles
• Poor biomechanics or alignment
• Deconditioning
• Hard surface
• Walking barefoot
• Prolonged weight bearing
• Inadequate stretching
• Poor footwear

Alleviating Sharp Pain in the Heel at Home

Self-management at home can be helpful. If you experience acute pain in the heel, consider keeping a towel near your bedside and performing a calf and arch stretch. Do this before going to sleep and before taking any steps out of bed in the morning. Pull back on your foot for about 30 seconds three times, with 30 seconds of rest in between each set. Also simply flexing your feet toward and away from your knees (knees either flexed, extended, or both) can help “loosen” the feet to decrease the severity of pain during those first few steps.

You can also roll the plantar fascia with a ball, such as a lacrosse ball. Keep it at your nightstand and roll out the plantar fascia before going to sleep and again before taking your first steps in the morning. Roll for about 1 minute, three times, with 30 seconds of rest in between.

How Physical Therapy Can Help Plantar Fasciitis

If home treatments for your heel pain don’t provide some relief, physical therapy can help. Treatment will depend on the root cause of your heel pain but may include:

• Manual therapy and exercise
• Ice
• Taping

If left untreated, plantar fasciitis may result in chronic pain and make it much more difficult to treat. With any injury the sooner a physical therapist is consulted, the sooner the painful impairments and related limitations will be controlled and quality of life improved.  To help in your recovery come to one of our physical therapy clinics to learn more about how our qualified physical therapists can help you find pain relief and walking normally once again. 

With 27 locations throughout New Jersey, we make it easy to find a physical therapy clinic near you. Simply search for your closest location using your zip code. The team at Twin Boro Physical Therapy looks forward to helping you get healthy and guiding you down the road to recovery. 

Posted on March 9th, 2020.

Heel Pain: Achilles Tendonitis vs. Plantar Fasciitis: Minneapolis Vein Center: Interventional Radiologists

The most common causes of heel pain are Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. Only a physician can properly diagnose your heel pain. However, you can learn more about the differences and some at-home remedies that may relieve your pain.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is a result of strain on the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Strain on the tendon may be a result of a sudden increase in intensity or duration of exercise. As we age, the Achilles tendon tends to naturally weaken, so Achilles tendonitis is also common in older adults who play any type of sport. Heel pain associated with Achilles tendonitis can be difficult to live with—the Achilles tendon plays a very important role in movement and is used during walking, running, jumping, or standing on the balls of feet.

Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis

• Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon in the morning
• Pain in the back of the leg or above the heel that gets worse during activity
• Increased pain after more strenuous activity
• Swelling that worsens throughout the day with activity

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a result of pain and inflammation of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fasciitis is most common in people aged 40-60 that engage in strenuous exercises. The condition can also be triggered by being flat-footed, having a high foot arch, being obese, or spending extended time standing on hard surfaces.

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is sharp heel pain with first steps in the morning, which decreases throughout the day as you walk and/or stretch. Plantar fasciitis pain may return after long periods of sitting or standing.

• Sharp pain in the bottom of the foot or heel with first steps in the morning, which decreases throughout the day as you walk and/or stretch
• Pain in the bottom of the foot or heel triggered by long periods of sitting or standing

Achilles Tendonitis vs. Plantar Fasciitis

The main differences between Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis are where the pain is located and whether or not the pain gets worse throughout the day. Achilles tendonitis mainly causes pain at the back of the heel and pain tends to get worse during activity. Plantar fasciitis causes pain on the bottom of the heel in the morning, which tends to get better with activity.

Treating Your Heel Pain

Most cases of Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis can be easily treated through at-home remedies like wearing supportive shoes, stretching, icing the area, over-the-counter medications like Advil, and decreasing activity that causes pain. However, if your heel pain continues, you may benefit from a new treatment called Tenex Health TX™, now available at Minneapolis Vein Center. Learn more about Tenex Health TX on our website or by calling our team at 763-398-8710.

90,000 Elbow Pain Treatment: Why Does Elbow Sore?

1. The structure of the elbow joint: Anatomy and function of the elbow
2. What to do in case of acute pain in the elbow?
3. Diagnosis of elbow pain
4. Pain in the elbow after the accident:
   Dislocation, rupture of the biceps tendon, bone fracture, nerve contusion
5. Joint overload and wear: Tendon sheath
   epicondylitis, bursitis, arthrosis, osteochondritis dissecans
6. Systemic diseases of the body:
   Gout, rheumatism, osteoporosis
7. Elbow pain treatment: Frequently asked questions

Elbow: Structure and function

In the complex structure of the elbow joint, three bones are connected.The humerus (Humerus) connects to the ulna and radius of the forearm. Often, the protruding process of the ulna (Olecranon) is called the elbow. The flexible joint of three bones, surrounded by one joint capsule, is called the elbow joint. © Viewmedica

The elbow joint is involved in every movement of the hand: grasping, throwing, supporting, hitting and lifting weights are not possible without a healthy elbow. Therefore, pain in the elbow limits the patient’s daily life and performance and does not give him the opportunity to play sports as before.The elbow joint is not simple in structure: At the same time, the elbow joint moves “up” and “down”, like a hinge. It can also rotate around its own axis. From this it follows that the elbow is constantly involved in all coordinated movements of the arm. The elbow joint is formed by three bones: the humerus (Humerus) and two bones of the forearm – the ulna (Latin ulna) and the radius (Latin radius). What can happen in this complex joint?

Schematic drawing of the elbow: The elbow joint is formed by three bones.Both bones of the forearm – ulna and radius – are connected to each other by an interosseous membrane, which is a soft hinge. The place of attachment of the tendons of the muscles of the shoulder (biceps and triceps) is located on the ulna of the forearm. The muscles of the forearm, which are responsible for the mobility of the hand and fingers, are also connected to the heads of the ulna and radius through tendons. As in the case of other joints, the condition of the cartilaginous surface is of great importance for painless mobility in the elbow. The elbow joint is surrounded by an articular capsule, the mucous membrane of which produces synovial fluid to improve cartilage nutrition.Thanks to the synovial bags (bursa) filled with joint fluid, numerous muscles, tendons and ligaments in the elbow remain mobile in relation to each other. © By OpenStax College [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

How is acute elbow pain treated?

As a rule, the patient himself knows the cause of his elbow pain. Elbow pain is often caused by falls, bruises, or excessive exercise such as tennis, golf, or badminton.

If you feel pain in the elbow, but the elbow is still mobile and has not had time to swell or become inflamed, treatment can be carried out at home.

In this situation, pain is almost always treated with anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen or Diclofenac), which are sold as tablets or sports ointment. Treating elbow pain with this method helps to reduce the swelling of the inflamed tissue and suppresses the pain syndrome. Despite this, the specialists of the Gelenk Klinik Medical Center in St.Freiburg in Germany does not recommend resuming training, participating in competitions, or going to work under the influence of painkillers. Try not to overload your elbow until the swelling is gone and you can move your arm freely.

A special bandage helps to keep an overtightened and overloaded elbow joint at rest.

If your elbow pain persists after three days, you need to see a doctor who will prescribe the correct treatment.

When is an urgent need to see a doctor?

Elbow pain is often not a significant health hazard to the patient.After every fall or bruise, it is not necessary to immediately see a doctor and prescribe treatment. Immobilization, resting the joint, and a cooling compress can help relieve elbow pain in a short time.

In case of what kind of pain in the elbow is it necessary to consult a doctor immediately?

• Pain in the elbow that continues despite immobility and rest.
• If the elbow hurts, swells and reddens with every movement or touch.
• If, in addition to a severely reddened and swollen joint and pain in the elbow, you have a high fever.
• If the outer shape of the elbow is disrupted and the bone protrudes, go to the emergency room.
• If, in addition to pain in the elbow, you cannot stretch or bend your arm.

How is the elbow examination performed?

What questions does the doctor ask a patient?

At the beginning of the examination, before prescribing treatment, the doctor asks the patient certain questions.In order to establish the true cause of elbow pain and prescribe targeted treatment, an orthopedic specialist will ask you questions about the situation after which you felt pain. Information about the patient’s age and health characteristics also helps the doctor determine which treatment for elbow pain is appropriate for him.

Are there common diseases?

Is your work activity connected with special workload? Are you fond of sports? Are any loads repetitively repeated?

Do you feel severe pain in your elbow and how does it develop?

Was there a specific injury with a fall or bruise?

Elbow Pain Treatment: Clinical Examination

During the examination, a specialist in our clinic will thoroughly examine the elbow for pain sensitivity to pressure, swelling, bruising, redness and overheating.

Elbow mobility testing reveals the presence of specific mobility limitations and blockages.

Laboratory data and blood tests

If there are signs of bacterial inflammation or autoimmune diseases (rheumatism), a laboratory test is performed. If inflammation of the joint is suspected, a little fluid is withdrawn from the joint capsule using a special needle. If your doctor thinks you have gout or rheumatism, a blood test is done.

Treatment of Elbow Pain: Imaging Test

Suspected damage to the structure of the elbow joint (articular surfaces, bones, tendons, and ligaments) requires imaging.

Ultrasound of the shoulder shows or refutes the presence of a tendon or ligament rupture in the elbow. In addition, ultrasound examination provides information about the state of soft tissues in motion, which is possible only with the help of this technique.

If there is a suspicion that bones or articular surfaces are damaged or broken, X-rays are indispensable.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is appropriate when a more detailed picture of tendon injuries and bone fluid deposits is needed.

Elbow pain due to injuries, falls and accidents

Traumatic injuries

Traumatic injuries such as a bruise or a blow are often the cause of elbow pain. At first, such cases lead to stabbing pain in the elbow, which quickly disappears if rest is observed.

Hyperextension (overextension) or hyperextension of the elbow joint often leads to severe pain in the elbow.In the most extreme case, there is a dislocation of the elbow, after which it is impossible to bend and stretch the arm.

Overstrains and injuries can cause tendon rupture. One of the most serious injuries is the rupture of the biceps muscle of the forearm at its base under the elbow.

Injury to the ligaments leads to instability of the elbow joint.

Traumatic injuries that entail a pearl of bones in the elbow are fraught with consequences. Our specialists in Freiburg successfully treat elbow fractures.

Medial image of tendons, ligaments and joint capsule that are damaged after elbow dislocation. Rupture of the lateral ligament of the elbow is especially common. Treatment of this pathology is carried out with the help of immobilization of the elbow joint with a plaster cast or orthosis. © bilderzwerg @ fotolia

Dislocation of the elbow

Symptoms of traumatic dislocation in the elbow

• Stitching pains in the elbow
• Restricted flexion
• Absence of supination in the elbow (backward and outward rotation in the elbow joint)

Dislocation occurs rather on the elbow joint often.If a person tries to prevent it with an outstretched arm, then this can lead to overstretching of the elbow joint. In addition, dislocation of the elbow entails a complete displacement of the shoulder and forearm relative to each other, after which the position of the articular surfaces is disturbed. Sometimes dislocations of bones are accompanied by compression of blood vessels or nerves, as a result of which the entire arm below the elbow joint becomes pale and begins to grow numb. The victim cannot bend and straighten his arm.

If a person has a dislocated elbow, concomitant injuries may also occur, for which, even after the dislocation has been successfully repositioned, additional pain treatment is required.Also, with a dislocated shoulder joint, strong ligaments can be deformed, which contribute to stabilization in the elbow. The above additional injuries include:

As a result, the elbow joint loses its stability. It is worth noting that damage to nerve structures can cause sensory disturbances and weakness in the arm. In 80% of cases, elbow dislocation is a soft tissue injury affecting the tendons, ligaments and periarticular bursa. Sometimes the dislocation is accompanied by bone fractures of the shoulder joint….

What helps with elbow dislocation?

First of all, the shoulder and elbow must be adjusted – that is, placed in the original position. Only then can the treatment be started, namely the use of a plaster cast and later an orthosis. We draw your attention to the fact that the elbow joint should be bent at an angle of 90 ° and in no case should it be in an extended position. Treating the joint with remedial gymnastics to promote elbow mobilization can prevent the joint from hardening.

Elbow tendon rupture: Biceps tendon rupture

Symptoms of distal biceps tendon rupture

• Audible crackle when the tendon ruptures
• Biceps tendon rupture after strength training and lifting of the hamstrings
• brachii) in the shoulder
• Subcutaneous hemorrhage at the elbow
• Limited flexion of the forearm
• Restriction in the movement of the radius around the ulnar outward
• Pain symptoms are not in the foreground

Tendon rupture often occurs in the elbow as a result of which a crackling sound is heard in the area of ​​the elbow bend.After that, the biceps lose their strength. A rupture of the distal tendon of the biceps brachii (biceps) is its partial or complete separation from the attachment point on the radius. This injury does not cause severe pain in the elbow, but limits the strength and coordination of the forearm. This injury is mainly typical for men who work in hard physical work or professional athletes. At the beginning, a hematoma is visible at the site of the rupture of the biceps tendon in the upper part of the forearm.

During clinical examination, the elbow therapist may determine that the biceps are no longer palpable.Partial or distal tears should be diagnosed with MRI.

Biceps Tendon Rupture Treatment

There is only one method to restore muscle strength and normal hand motility after a ruptured biceps tendon – surgical treatment. During the operation, the orthopedic surgeon reattaches the tendon in the forearm, thereby restoring the previous functions of the arm. Autogenous tendon transplantation is sometimes done. Since the loss of muscle mass due to rupture of the biceps tendon occurs at an accelerated rate, doctors at the Gelenk Clinic in Freiburg, Germany recommend starting treatment as soon as possible, even if the injury is not very painful.

Elbow Tendon Rupture: Elbow Lateral Ligament Rupture

Symptoms of a rupture of the lateral ligament of the elbow

• Hemorrhage
• Stitching pains in the elbow with exertion
• Swelling
• Pain when pressing on the elbow
• Instability of the elbow joint

After such damage, the stability of the elbow joint immediately decreases.Often, a rupture of the medial (internal) lateral ligament of the elbow joint accompanies a dislocation of the elbow joint, which must be repaired immediately. In most cases, rupture of the ligaments leads to subcutaneous hemorrhage (hematoma).

With the help of X-ray and MRI, the condition of the bones and ligaments is clarified in more detail. X-rays show injuries and bone fractures, while magnetic resonance imaging provides more accurate images of soft tissue and ligaments. In addition, MRI is the best method for visualizing partial ruptures of the ulna collateral ligament.

Treatment of collateral ligament rupture

Immediately after injury, the elbow should be cooled and elevated and then kept at rest. An elbow brace will help reduce swelling in your elbow.

If the diagnostic examination did not confirm the presence of the above pathology, the doctors of our clinic recommend keeping the injured elbow in a supporting bandage that completely immobilizes the elbow joint for four to six weeks. During this time, the ligaments can recover and regain their previous strength.

Surgical treatment of ruptured ligaments is sometimes necessary. Basically, surgeons perform minimally invasive (arthroscopic) treatment. If conservative treatment does not bring the desired result, the doctor may place an artificial ligament. Compared to the immobilization technique, this treatment speeds up the patient’s recovery process. This fact is very important for athletes and people involved in physical professional activities.

Stitching pains in the elbow and numbness of the arm due to damage to the ulnar nerve

Symptoms of injury or pinching of the ulnar nerve

• Feeling of numbness in the fingers
• Stitching pains in the elbow
• Pain associated with certain movements of the elbow
• Weakness when grasping objects
• Sensory impairment in the hand

Many nerves and tendons pass at the site of the narrowing of the elbow joint.These structures can be damaged by injuries to the elbow, which lead to dislocation or rupture of the ligaments. The ulnar nerve runs along the outside of the forearm, supplying the muscles of the fingers. Weakness when grasping objects, as well as disturbances in sensitivity in the hand, are the result of neuropathy of the ulnar nerve. Even with a simple blow to the elbow, the deformity of the ulnar nerve can cause stabbing pains and numbness in the arm.

Treatment of ulnar nerve neuropathy

Treatment of elbow pain that occurs after damage to the ulnar nerve is carried out using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs.To restore the ulnar nerve, doctors recommend wearing fixation orthoses or applying a special splint at night.

In some cases, decompression surgery may be required to relieve pressure in the cubital tunnel, which is located on the inside of the elbow joint. In this case, the ulnar nerve – the nerve of the peripheral nervous system – has a good chance of recovery.

Fracture of the radial head in the elbow

Symptoms

• Stitching pains in the elbow
• Dysfunction of the arm extension
• Difficulty in bending the arm
• Limitation of the forearm rotational movements
• Swelling of the elbow 9004
  53 Pain with pressure or falling with outstretched arms often leads to fractures of the ulna.At the same time, almost always there is a displacement of the ulna and radius in relation to the humerus. So, due to these injuries, some structures in the elbow are disrupted and a fracture of the radial head is formed, namely, a fracture of the upper end of the radius. This pathology refers to intra-articular and manifests itself as swelling and pain on the outer surface of the elbow joint. In some cases, a radial fracture is also observed, which is characterized by complete destruction of the radial head.

  In case of fractures in the elbow joint, stabbing pains in the elbow immediately appear, as a result of which the elbow does not bend or unbend to the end.

  About 20% of elbow dislocation results in bone damage and pain in the elbow.

  Osteoporotic patients are diagnosed with an elbow fracture more often than other patients. This is due to a decrease in the stability of the elbow joint during injuries and falls due to demineralization.

  Diagnosis of fractures in the elbow is carried out on the basis of clinical indications using X-ray.MRI, in turn, helps to identify soft tissue abnormalities.

  Treatment of an elbow fracture

  In medicine, there is a wide range of methods for treating fractures in the elbow. Most often, the most effective treatment is with joint immobilization for 4-6 weeks. Complex fractures require fixation of bone fragments with special plates and screws. Sometimes, the treatment of fractures with an external fixation device is most appropriate. In the most difficult cases, doctors offer the patient another treatment, namely shoulder arthroplasty.

  Anatomically, the muscles of the forearm are divided into flexor flexors. The round processes of the humerus are the place where the tendon attaches to the bone. Chronic overload or one-way movements can cause inflammation (yellow circle) and degeneration of enthesis – the junction of a ligament or tendon with a bone. Diseases of enthesis in medicine are called enthesopathy. Epicondylitis is an inflammatory and degenerative tissue lesion in the elbow, in which the pathological process touches the bone, periosteum, as well as the tendons attached to the epicondyle and the tendon sheath.© bilderzwerg @ fotolia

  Elbow pain due to wear and tear and chronic overload

  Wear of the elbow joint

  Most often, patients begin to feel pain in the elbow after overloading or excessive tension in the arm. The consequences of overvoltage are painful pathologies of muscles and tendons.

  Epicondylitis: Chronic, stitching pains of enthesis – joints of a ligament or tendon to bone

  Symptoms of epicondylitis

  • Stitching pain in the elbow
  • Lateral epicondylitis: “tennis elbow”
  • Medial epicondylitis: “golfer’s elbow”
  • Pain with hyperextension (hyperextension) of the arm 9000 9004
  • Pain with the most persistent diseases 9000 the bases are lateral (“tennis elbow”) and medial (“golfer’s elbow”) epicondylitis.In the first case, the disease affects the outer side of the elbow, and in the second, the inner side.

    Ulnar epicondylitis is a chronic and painful inflammatory condition of the enthesis of the forearm muscles attached to the bony protrusions of the humerus of the elbow joint. In this case, the junction of the ligament or tendon with the bone may swell and redden. Each form of stress on the extensors of the forearm immediately causes severe stabbing pain in the elbow.

    Joint pain can be caused by various diseases.Enthesiopathy – inflammation of the area of ​​attachment of tendons or ligaments to the bone, is just one of such extra-articular pathologies. The cause of the development of enthesiopathy is called overload, from which it follows that this problem appears in people who are professionally involved in sports or hard physical labor. Untimely treatment can lead to chronicity of the “tennis elbow”. At the final stage of the disease, weakening, and then complete destruction of the enthesis of the tendon of the muscles of the forearm, is observed.

    Treatment of epicondylitis

    Treatment of epicondylitis in the elbow with an EpiPoint fixation orthosis (Fig. Used with permission from Bauerfeind AO)

    Conservative treatment of epicondylitis is almost always advisable. As a rule, treatment of this disease with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as tablets (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac) or sports ointment speeds up the healing process.

    In this case, relieving stress from the joint, as well as stopping the inflammatory process at the junction of the ligament or tendon with the bone, plays an important role.In 90% of cases, exercises to stretch the muscles of the forearm with an unloading effect make the treatment of pain in the elbow and “tennis elbow” more effective. Fixing bandages also help to speed up the treatment, which, by means of specific pressure on the enthesis of the extensors of the forearm, reduce the degree of load in the elbow and promote its regeneration.

    In difficult cases, doctors at specialized clinics in Germany offer patients a Botox treatment that reduces the stress of enthesis.

    Pain in the elbow as a result of inflammation of the mucous membrane (Bursitis olecranoni): Inflammation and throbbing pain

    Symptoms of bursitis

    • Swelling and swelling in the area of ​​the injured joint
    • Overheating of the joints
    • Pain with pressure on the lower part

    pain when leaning on the elbow

    • Redness of the skin
    • Limitation of mobility in the elbow
    • General signs of inflammation (fatigue, lack of energy)

    Due to the high mobility of the elbow joint, sliding surfaces (periarticular bursa or bursa) in the elbow are exposed to heavy loads.Most often, the mucous bag under the olecranon is affected, namely under the process of the ulna. During this pathology, swelling, severe pain in the elbow, and sensitivity to touch are noted. Patients suffering from bursitis complain of severe pain in the elbow and swelling of the injured joint. In addition, bursitis is characterized by changes in the shape of the joint, redness on the skin, and overheating.

    Definition of Bursitis olecranoni in medicine called “student’s elbow”: Prolonged pressure, traumatic injury or overload in the elbow are the causes of this condition.When a person rests his elbow on the table, throbbing pains pass along the arm. Another cause of bursitis can be a bacterial infection.

    Treatment of elbow bursitis

    The doctor makes a decision on how to treat elbow bursitis depending on the cause of the disease. With purulent, bacterial bursitis, the patient is offered surgical treatment of the periarticular bursa with the elimination of the infection.

    In case of rupture of the bursa of the elbow joint, conservative treatment is offered.This method involves complete immobilization with elastic bandages. In difficult cases, a plaster cast is used. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help treat pain and swelling in your elbow. Only drug-resistant chronic nonbacterial bursitis may require surgical treatment. Even after removal, the bursa recovers on its own.

    Arthrosis of the elbow joint: Swelling and pain in the elbow with every movement

    Symptoms of arthrosis of the elbow joint

    • Pain in the elbow when starting to walk in the morning
    • Immobility of the joint during flexion and extension
    • Overheating and swelling
    • Pain in the elbow, depending on the degree of load
    • Elbow deformity and deflection 9000 nerves: Weakness when grasping objects and numbness of the hand

    Wear of the elbow joint (arthrosis of the elbow joint) is much less common than arthrosis of the larger joints of the lower extremities (arthrosis of the hip joint, arthrosis of the knee joint, arthrosis of the ankle joint).As a rule, patients suffering from arthrosis of the elbow joint have previous diseases, which were accompanied by overload in the joint. Often, arthrosis of the elbow joint occurs in athletes involved in strength sports, for example, bodybuilders.

    Elbow arthrosis is a progressive loss of mobility in the elbow due to premature wear of the articular cartilage and the joint itself.

    Despite the fact that this type of arthrosis is not seen in patients as often as others, the pain in the elbow is very severe, as in other cases.

    Treatment of arthrosis of the elbow joint

    Treatment is initially carried out with non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs (NSAIDs), which reduce inflammation in the elbow.

    M Joint-preserving surgical treatments such as arthroscopy of the elbow or endoprosthetics help restore joint mobility.

    In difficult cases, a complete replacement of the elbow joint with an endoprosthesis is performed.

    Limitations of mobility and pain in the elbow as a result of osteochondrosis dissecans (Articular mouse) after aseptic necrosis

    Symptoms of osteochondrosis dissecans

    • Insufficient extension and flexion of the elbow
    • Under stress: Shooting or dull pain in the elbow

    Elbow

    rest

    • Wear of the articular cartilage

    Stitching pains and impaired mobility in the elbow joint can be caused by the articular mouse: The medical name for this term is osteochondrosis dissecans.An articular mouse or osteochondrosis dissecans is a free articular body that has separated from the synovial membrane or articular cartilage after aseptic necrosis and moves freely in the cavity of the articular capsule. A loose body can assume an unfavorable position and thereby cause blockages in the joint, as well as damage the articular cartilage. At the last stage of osteochondrosis dissecans, diffuse pains appear, as well as other pains in the elbow that limit mobility.Depending on the position of the articular mouse, Osteochondrosis dissecans or osteochondrosis dissecans are characterized by certain limitations in flexion and extension of the arm.

    Fall injuries can cause a bone fragment to come off. Repetitive microtrauma can also cause osteochondrosis dissecans. Therefore, this disease is often found in young baseball and tennis players. Necrotic changes in the bone structure from which separation occurs are often explained by the exertion of excessive stress on the joint.As a rule, this disease occurs in children from six to ten years old.

    The examination of this ailment in our clinic in Freiburg is carried out using a multilayer X-ray. MRI and CT scan supplements the results of X-ray examination. Orthopedic specialists Gelenk Clinics in Germany draw the attention of patients to the difference between osteochondrosis dissecans and arthrosis of the elbow joint.

    Treatment of osteochondrosis dissecans of the elbow

    In the case of osteochondrosis dissecans in children, doctors do not always recommend surgical treatment.After immobilization, as well as a change in the degree of loading of the joint, the disease disappears, and the bone fragment will again take root in the bone.

    Patients over 20 years old receive only surgical treatment. The surgeon can offer arthroscopic treatment or open surgery, during which the separated fragment is fixed or removed completely. What exactly the doctor will do depends on the size of the bone fragment. In any case, a very important step is to remove it from the joint space in order to avoid blockages and damage to the articular cartilage.

    Inflammation of the tendon sheath of the elbow

    Symptoms of inflammation of the tendon sheath

    • Severe pulling pain in the elbow
    • Pain when moving the elbow
    • Overheating, redness and swelling in the elbow
    • Crunching sound in the elbow (crepitus)
    • Thickening of the tendon 460 on the tendon or

      Inflammation of the tendon sheath is an irritation of the connective tissue membranes. As a rule, tendons unite muscles and bones, and also provide the transfer of muscle energy to the human skeleton.The connective tissue membranes preserve and nourish the tendons with synovial fluid (joint lubrication). In addition, they support the sliding ability of the tendons in the body. Excessive strength training, as well as a short recovery period for the tendons, can damage the tendon sheath structure. Another cause of tendovaginitis is the mechanical repetition of any movement or action. If disorders of tendon structures appear at the site of attachment of the tendon to the bone (enthesis), doctors begin treatment for enthesiopathy.If inflammation develops in the tendon tissue, the patient is diagnosed with tendovaginitis.

      Treatment of inflammation of the tendon sheath in the elbow

      Treatment of this pathology is carried out with the help of immobilization of the elbow joint. In order for the treatment of this inflammatory process to be effective, the specialists of our clinic in Germany offer their patients high-quality orthoses and splints. Anti-inflammatory sports creams or tablets (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac) help to reduce inflammation and swelling of the tendon sheath.If the patient feels severe pain in the elbow, doctors offer an infectious treatment. Using local anesthetics, doctors help the patient to get rid of the pain in the elbow. In addition, this disease is treated with cortisone. However, cortisone treatment should not be repeated very often, as this can cause tendon weakness. In drug-resistant cases, surgical treatment is advisable, namely surgical decompression of painful tendons, during which the surgeon removes the inflamed tendon sheaths.Such treatment does not pose a danger to the patient, since these structures are capable of being restored anew.

      Elbow Tunnel Syndrome and Elbow Pain

      Symptoms of tunnel syndrome in the elbow

      • Stitching pains at the site of attachment of the tendons to the bone
      • Numbness of the fingers
      • Weakness when grasping objects

      All the nerves that coordinate the movements of the arms and hands from the spinal cord also pass through the elbow. Symptoms of the development of tunnel syndrome include signs of epicondylitis as well as cubital tunnel syndrome, but without traumatic injury.The ulnar nerve (Nervus ulnaris) runs on the surface of the ulna. Light squeezing or pinching of this nerve is characteristic of the above pathology. The cause of the cubital canal syndrome (Latin Sulcus ulnaris Syndrom) can be sudden bruises in the elbow. Repetitive movements of musicians or the monotonous activities of office workers can lead to prolonged narrowing of the nerves and inflammation of the nerve sheaths. Most often, this disease affects the employees of shopping centers at the checkout counters, musicians and people who spend most of their time in the office.Pain and numbness in the 4th and 5th fingers, as well as impaired mobility of the hand, are consequences of ulnar tunnel syndrome, see (“Elbow tunnel syndrome”).

      Diseases of the whole body – causes of pain in the elbow

      Metabolic disorders and autoimmune pathologies also cause shooting pains in the elbow.

      Gout: Stitching pains and exostoses (swelling, swelling) of the elbow joint

      Symptoms of gout in the elbow

      • Acute, shooting pains
      • Pain when pressing on the elbow
      • Formation of exostoses on the bursa under the elbow
      • Redness and overheating in the elbow
      • Temperature, fatigue
      • – Puffiness 9004 Puffiness

      uric acid, leading to inflammatory deposits of urate crystals in the body, manifests itself not only in the legs and toes, but also in the elbow as a stabbing pain.Patients with gout have irregular elbow pain. The degree of damage to the upper and lower extremities depends on the stage of the disease. This is due to the fact that with gout, patients do not feel pain immediately, but only with the development of the disease. In addition, gout in the elbow joint causes deposits of uric acid in the bursa of the olecranon (the process of the ulna), as a result of which the synovial bag changes its original shape, becomes inflamed and swollen. All this is the cause of the elbow bursitis.This pathology is characterized by redness and overheating in the elbow, as well as the formation of solid foreign bodies by urate crystals, which are felt during the examination. This education in medicine is called “gouty lump”.

      Treatment of gouty elbow pain

      Treatment of gout involves the use of medication and metabolic monitoring. Qualified specialists of Gelenk Clinics recommend nutritional correction: By consuming less meat and alcohol, you can get rid of gout faster.The better the level of uric acid in the body, the less frequent gout attacks.

      Rheumatic pains and arthritis of the elbow joint

      Symptoms of rheumatitis of the elbow joint

      • Swelling
      • Stitching and dull pain in the elbow
      • Pain in the elbow at rest
      • Stiffness in the elbow in the morning

      Temperature, fatigue pain is less common than in other joints. For the inflammatory process, due to arthritis, swelling, overheating and pain when touching the elbow are characteristic.Rheumatoid elbow pains have many causes: They often appear as a result of the body’s inflammatory autoimmune reactions to its own tissues. It should be noted that rheumatism negatively affects not only the joint, but also the general condition of the patient. As a rule, a person is tired, sad and complains of fatigue. In addition, inflammation of the joint also affects the cartilaginous surfaces, which contributes to the destruction of the articular cartilage and the appearance of arthrosis.

      h4> Treatment of rheumatic inflammation in the elbow

      Treatment of rheumatitis or arthritis of the elbow joint is carried out with anti-inflammatory medications.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help relieve unpleasant rheumatic elbow pain.

      Osteoporosis: Increased Threat of Elbow Fracture

      Symptoms of osteoporosis:

      • Stitching pains in the elbow
      • Fractures after light forceful actions
      • Decreased bone density

      Osteoporosis is a pathological decrease in the density of bones in the human skeleton. At first, the disease is painless. The risk group includes women after menopause.Men get osteoporosis at an older age. A characteristic feature of the disease is an increased threat of fractures of the femoral neck, vertebral bodies and elbow joint. Loads that, with the initial bone density, do not have negative effects on the body, can lead to serious fractures in osteoporosis. Osteoporosis also limits the healing of bone structures: The healing time of the ulna after an osteoporotic fracture is automatically extended. The treatment of displaced fractures with special screws and plates becomes more difficult as implants lose their stability due to weakening of the bone.

      Treatment of osteoporotic fractures in the elbow

      One of the most important tasks in the treatment of fractures in the elbow is the prevention of osteoporosis: Mobility, foods rich in vitamins and minerals support the process of bone mineralization. In addition, osteoporosis is treated with medications that slow down the destruction of bone tissue. The specialists of our clinic in Germany recommend regular preventive examinations, including the measurement of bone density (densitometry).This procedure helps to recognize osteopenia in time and prevent osteoporosis.

      Frequently Asked Questions About Elbow Pain

      I have elbow pains at night at rest. What does it mean?

      Pain in the elbow at night or at rest without previous accidents, bruises or trauma indicates an inflammatory process in the body. So, patients suffering from metabolic disorders feel pain in the elbow even at rest.

      Gout, as a violation of purine metabolism, leads to inflammatory deposits of uric acid crystals in the periarticular bag of the elbow joint.

      Rheumatic inflammation in the elbow also causes pain at night or when the elbow is at rest.

      Stitching dull pains in the elbow indicate aseptic osteonecrosis, which can cause osteochondrosis dissecans of the elbow joint.

      How does elbow pain appear after strength training?

      Patients who are professionally involved in sports or whose work activity is related to physical activity, feel pain in the elbow more often than others.

      In middle-aged people, after lifting weights or exercising the biceps, a distal rupture of the tendon of the biceps of the elbow is often observed.

      The characteristic feature of this injury is a loud crackling sound and subsequent subcutaneous hemorrhage. After a tendon rupture, patients usually do not complain of severe pain in the elbow.

      Strength exercises can negatively affect the condition of the articular surfaces and lead to wear and tear of the articular cartilage and arthrosis pain.

      Overexertion of tendons, especially inflammation of the tendon sheaths, can also be the result of training or hard physical work. After that, patients are often diagnosed with inflammation of the tendon sheath of the elbow joint (tendovaginitis). This disease is characterized by inflammation of the tissues that surround the tendons and produce synovial fluid, thereby providing nourishment and free sliding of the tendons in the body.

      Pain when leaning on the elbow

      If you feel stabbing pain when you lean your elbow on a table (“student’s elbow”), although you have never injured your elbow before, this may be due to inflammation of the bursa (bursitis) of the elbow joint.

      Also, pain during this position of the elbow can be caused by diseases such as gout or rheumatism.

      What does an external elbow pain mean?

      Pain outside the elbow joint is often caused by such a pathology as “tennis elbow”: inflammation of the tendons of the forearm at the point of attachment to the bone on the outer epicondyle (round bone process of the humerus). Therefore, such elbow pains are called “epicondylitis” or “tennis elbow”.

      Bilateral elbow pain

      Often bilateral elbow pain indicates a disease of the whole body.Such pathologies include, for example, gout or rheumatism

      At the same time, arthrosis may appear in several joints. Polyarthrosis first affects the joints of the fingers, and then spreads to the elbow.

      Treatment of elbow pain at home

      After deformities of the elbow joint due to trauma, it is necessary to move the elbow as little as possible, keep it at rest and, if necessary, apply cooling compresses to the elbow.

      Treatment of inflammatory changes in the structure of the elbow at home, which cause bursitis (inflammation of the joint capsule), epicondylitis (tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow) or tendovaginitis (inflammation of the tendon sheath) is carried out by wrapping with special insulated bandages soaked in sea salt.Due to its rich composition, sea salt reduces inflammation and pain in the elbow, and also eliminates swelling. The sea salt wrap should be done several times a week for at least 20-30 minutes. This will allow the salt to be absorbed into the area around the joint and the treatment will be more effective.

      Pain in the shoulder, arm and elbow

      If you feel pain in the elbow, this does not mean that the elbow joint is damaged. There are also pains that radiate from the shoulder joint to the elbow.

      Abnormalities in the structure of the rotator cuff often cause pain in the elbow.

      Pathologies such as stenosis of the cervical spine or a herniated disc can cause not only neck pain and shoulder pain, but also pain in the elbow.

      Monotonous, repetitive movements can lead to (ulnar tunnel syndrome). This pathology is characterized by pinched nerves in the shoulder area, which cause pain, radiating through the elbow to the wrist joint.

      Pain in the carpal tunnel of the wrist joint, radiating to the elbow and shoulder

      Carpal tunnel syndrome or carpal tunnel syndrome causes numbness, itching and gradual loss of strength in the fingers.Pain caused by narrowing of the nerves can radiate back to the elbow and shoulder joint.

      90,000 Heel pain: causes and treatment

      Leg pain is a common symptom that many people simply do not pay attention to.

      Leg pain is often perceived as fatigue that goes away by itself the next day. Fatigue can be indicated by pain in the calf muscles, lower leg (or other conditions such as varicose veins).But why do heels hurt? For some people, heel pain is akin to unbearable torture that prevents a person from concentrating on something.

      Many people will think: can the heels really hurt so much ?! Unfortunately, this is so, and there are several reasons for this, which will be discussed below.

      What are the causes of heel pain?

      Wrong shoes

      If your heels hurt, then first of all you should pay attention to your shoes, especially for the fair sex.The most dangerous enemy of your foot (including the heel) is the high heel. Wearing high-heeled shoes overloads the foot, resulting in intense shooting pains in the heel area.

      Injuries

      Heel pain can be caused by a variety of injuries that may occur while playing sports or walking. Most often, heel pain occurs with injuries of the ankle ligaments. Typically, the victim feels a burning or “stabbing” pain.Sometimes it feels like a needle has been stuck in the heel. The intensity of painful sensations increases with each step.

      Diseases of the musculoskeletal system

      Heels can also hurt with various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Let’s look at the most common diseases in which this symptom may occur:

      Arthritis. Heel pain with arthritis is quite common. The thing is that with arthritis, inflammation spreads along the foot – along the tissue connecting the phalanges of the fingers with the heel bone.Typically, with arthritis, heel pain increases gradually. Usually, the pain is worse in the morning. After a small massage, the pain syndrome subsides, however, with some types of physical activity, the pain may return again.

      Heel spur. Salt buildup under the skin can cause heel pain as it builds up. It is especially painful when walking, when pressure is created on the heels and a hard build-up of salts presses on soft tissues. As with arthritis, pain is most felt in the morning.

      Plantar fasciitis. Fasciitis is a thickened formation that runs along the entire length of the foot. If you wear too tight shoes, the fascia can become inflamed. This condition is fraught with the deposition of salts, which over time can lead to the appearance of a heel spur.

      Inflammation of the Achilles tendon. With inflammation of the Achilles tendon, pain is usually disturbed when moving.

      Reactive arthritis. Heel pain can also occur with some infectious processes. For example, in sexually transmitted diseases, or chlamydia, infection can contribute to the development of an inflammatory process in the heel tendon, which ultimately leads to severe pain, especially at night.

      Metabolic diseases, gout

      Gout is a disease characterized by the deposition of uric acid salts in various tissues of the body, in particular in the joints and tendons. With an exacerbation of the disease, the patient may feel severe pain in the joints, heel, fingers and other parts of the body.

      Treatment and Prevention

      To relieve heel pain, treatment of the underlying condition that caused this symptom is necessary.Pain relievers can only temporarily relieve pain, but without addressing the cause, you will not get rid of heel pain. Therefore, at the slightest painful manifestations, you should consult a doctor and start treating the underlying disease as early as possible.

      For heel pain, avoid running and walking in favor of cycling and swimming. If you have flat feet, then you need to consult an orthopedic doctor, and you also need to wear special orthopedic insoles.

      If you are overweight, losing weight will be a good prevention of heel pain, since with every kilogram you lose, you will feel lightness in your gait.

      90,000 Heel hurts: treatment at the clinic

      How to stop going to doctors and pharmacies and get real help?

      • Expert level of specialists – we are consulted by doctors with over 25 years of experience.
      • Team opinion – doctors of several specialties work together to achieve the best result.
      • The consultation lasts as long as necessary – in order to understand the situation in detail.

      Make an appointment and find out:

      • What is the cause of your illness, the exact diagnosis and the stage of the process.
      • What suits you for treatment, and what procedures are contraindicated.
      • What to do at home – exercise, nutrition, and more.
      • And also immediately go through the first treatment procedure.

      Depending on the stage of the disease, we choose one or several treatment methods:

      Osteopathy

      Soft technique for working with the spine, joints, muscles, ligaments, internal organs. Eliminates pain syndrome, starts the self-healing process.

      Therapeutic massage, osteopathy, manual therapy

      Helps bones and joints to take the correct physiological position, relieves pain and spasms, relaxes muscles.

      Acupuncture

      Work on biologically active points. Acts on the affected area and the body as a whole. Eliminates the cause of the disease and removes the symptoms.

      In addition, according to indications, the following are used: taping, pharmacopuncture, FormTotics insoles, exercise therapy with an instructor and other methods. The choice of procedures depends on the current state; in combination, they act faster and give a more lasting result.

      osteopath reception in Moscow price

      Heel hurts

      Heel pain while walking is familiar to almost everyone.This soreness occurs either as a consequence of trauma, or as a symptom of a disease. Women are more familiar with this unpleasant sensation than men, since women wear high-heeled shoes.

      What causes heel pain?

      The first reason is the atrophy of the fat pad located in the heel area. Dramatic weight loss or increased physical activity leads to the fact that this fat “cushion” becomes thinner. Hence – recurring pain in the heel when walking.

      Pain in the heel when walking, when stepping, causes, in the leg, after sleeping, on the inside, in the morning, it hurts to step. Causes and treatment. Intense pain in the heel of the right and left leg, on stepping, in the morning. Left leg, treatment. How to get rid of acute heel pain. Why heels hurt, reasons. How to relieve pain when stepped on. Pain in the heel of the right foot after sleep. Pain in the heels in the morning.

      The second, and fairly common cause, can be bursitis, which is an inflammation of the synovial area, in which there is an accumulation of inflammatory exudate.

      Achillodynia – inflammation of the heel tendon, can also cause pain in the heel while walking.

      In addition, pain in the heel area can provoke:

      is a hereditary sensory neuropathy, which is a type of polyneuropathy. If we are talking about the autosomal dominant type of this pathology, here we can talk about hypotrophy of the distal parts of the legs and dissociated sensory impairment. This often leads to very noticeable pain in the feet.

      – hallux valgus. This pathology is characterized by an X-shaped curvature of the axis of the feet, as a result of which they become flatter, as if “falling” inward, while the heels are turned outward.

      Pain in the heel in children, in the back leg, stitching above the heel, when walking. Heel and foot, shooting, at rest. Throbbing in the heel, when stepped on, treatment. The reasons for the man are between the heel and the foot.

      – rheumatoid arthritis. This is an inflammatory-degenerative disease in which small joints of the whole body are affected, including the joints of the foot.

      – ankylosing spondylitis. Despite the fact that this disease mainly affects the large joints and articulations of the vertebrae, it leads to back pain, which can change the person’s gait. In this case, pain that occurs in the heel area is not uncommon.

      – osteomyelitis. It is a bacterial infection that affects the bone, periosteum, and bone marrow. If osteomyelitis affects the heel bone, in this case, its deformation and sclerosis are observed.

      – Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, ligament rupture, heel contusion – all this is often diagnosed for athletes or those people whose legs are too stressed.

      Heel pain treatment.

      Pain above the heels, structure of the heel, sharp pain in the left and right heel. Which doctor to contact. Severe pain in the heel of the foot when walking from the side from the outside. Psychosomatics. Causes. Pain in the foot near the heel. Cause of pain in the heel of the leg bone of the heel in the morning when walking, what to do. Pain under the heel. In the leg it gives off to the heel, in the right heel in the morning. Causes. The back of the heel. Causes and treatment. On the offensive, how to treat. It’s a dull pain.

      Since pain in the heel region is a symptom of an underlying disease, the doctor selects the treatment for this particular disease.

      However, there are guidelines that should be followed by those patients who have heel pain on a regular basis:

      Exclusion from long walks
      Exclusion of long standing on legs
      Weight loss in the presence of obesity
      Wearing orthopedic shoes and using instep supports
      Performing exercises for the feet.
      In addition, physiotherapy is prescribed for patients with heel pain, which includes electrophoresis, shock wave therapy, ultrasound, phonophoresis and other procedures that help restore gait and reduce heel pain.

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      90,000 Running injuries: causes, treatment, prevention

      The other day, 45-year-old Colin Farrell took part in the Brisbane Marathon, which became his first in life. The actor managed to cover the distance of 43 kilometers in 3 hours 54 minutes and 22 seconds.Thus, he finished 222nd out of 683.

      As soon as Farrell reached the finish line, the crowd of fans gave him a thunderous ovation. This moment was captured by Australian running coach Pat Carroll.

      We already knew that Farrell regularly runs, but not everyone can afford such an intense exercise.

      Many people quit running for fear of injury while exercising. And those who have already devoted themselves to running movement do not always think about the health of their legs.But this is a very important aspect: the more kilometers you run, the more your joints, cartilage and muscles are loaded. And no matter how good you feel during your morning run on the pavement, the reality is that the body will respond to your movements.

      It should be admitted that most of the runners have knee problems. We spoke with Luke Greenberg, Coach and Co-founder of MotivNY, about the most common running injuries and how to avoid them (pun intended).We have some tips for you on how to save your feet from unnecessary problems.

      1. Knee Pain

      This applies to injuries to the front of the knee joint. To understand what is causing the pain, have a professional examine and touch your knee. Only then can the cause of the injury be found. Alternatively, you can identify the source of your pain while running on your own. Pay attention, when you train, in which part of the leg the cutting pain appears. “This is very important because more often than not, the knee is the area of ​​symptoms, and not the cause of pain,” says Greenberg.

      What is the threat? Do not run over pain, especially if you are a beginner. “Typically, this type of problem comes from weakness in the hips or feet, or from increasing the distance too quickly, which often happens when you join a group run and are under pressure from fellow runners when your body is asking you to. stay”.

      How do I solve the problem? Bizarre strength training or light weight training is often the best prophylaxis for avoiding leg injuries, Greenberg says.For example, a squat. The lowering phase, with your buttocks pointing towards the floor, is part of strength training. “It has certain benefits for the tendons, making them stronger. The inability to perceive the load occurs where the painful sensation is born, so the heavier type of training helps in solving this problem. ”

      2. Hamstring Problem

      If you feel excessive tension in the back of your thigh, this is a clear sign that your hamstring is suffering from a lot of stress: fast running, fatigue, and other muscle weakness.Hamstring traction can occur at several points: in the tendon near the joint, in the cartilage area, or in the abdominal area.

      What is the threat? Continuing to run during the acute pain phase is a bad idea, especially when it comes to sprinting or speed distances. Although the extent of the injury varies, you can spend 6 to 8 weeks repairing the tendon. You also need to be careful after the muscle’s healing phase. “These injuries are easily exacerbated by running, squatting and deadlifting, so it is wise to give up these activities until your doctor tells you to.”

      How do I solve the problem? Start with short isometrics (push movements). “This is beneficial because it speeds up the healing process and minimizes the accumulation of randomly placed scar tissue,” says Greenberg.

      And remember to start your workouts with minimum distances before returning to regular running. Try plyometrics like squats or skateboarding. “Often people do not realize how tired the muscle is and continue to exercise at full strength.And this increases the likelihood of re-injury. ”

      3. Calf Injury

      In this situation, the problem affects the front and lower legs. It can appear as shooting pain in the lower leg towards the foot or in the front outer part of the knee. “Pain varies greatly in severity, and both are fairly common in aspiring runners whose legs are not used to stress and strain.”

      What is the threat? The expert says that with such pains you cannot run.If this type of injury becomes inflamed, even normal standing or walking can interfere with muscle recovery. “These injuries are among the most common fracture injuries and are considered to be the consequences of poor running technique.”

      How do I solve the problem? Relax. Let the inflammation subside and, of course, consult with a specialist who will analyze your gait. “Most of the time, shin problems are the result of technical mistakes in running that the person can correct to avoid future injury.”

      4. Piriformis syndrome

      Burning pain in the middle of the buttocks, which occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve. The syndrome itself refers to increased muscle spasm in the region of the stabilizing thigh muscle, which is located over the sciatic nerve. Because of its location, the syndrome is often confused with lower back problems. “A good doctor can tell if the problem is inside the piriformis muscle or if the injury is more serious.”

      What is the threat? This problem is not the worst.“It usually gets better after warming the buttocks and doing stress relief exercises. If the pain disappears immediately upon warming up and does not recur within a few hours after running, then therapy can be continued with exercises on that muscle group. ” If the pain intensifies, it is better to consult a specialist.

      How do I solve the problem? There are several effective sets of exercises for strengthening the hips and buttocks. With their help, you will relieve tension from the nerve, restore the work of the hip joint or gluteal muscle.You also need to sit less in one place and massage the tissue with massage devices and ribbed rollers.

      5. Achilles tendonitis

      Have you ever woken up and felt a sharp sharp pain in your foot while taking the first step? This is one of the signs of inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which develops due to the malfunctioning of the ankle muscles. Pain appears at the back of the ankle. “This is due to either inflammation or degenerative wear and tear on the tendon due to improper exercise technique.”

      What is the threat? The advice is the same as for a knee injury: don’t exercise until you’ve recovered. But don’t be discouraged, as this injury won’t stop you from doing strength training. During squats, lunges, deadlifts and other types of weightlifting, the tendon is not overstrained. Also, these workouts will only strengthen other leg muscles, which in the future will help to better distribute the load along the foot.

      How do I solve the problem? “I always recommend evaluating the extent of injury with a physical therapist because there are several reasons that can inhibit muscle healing and cause problems such as ankle immobility, hip sprains, improper weight distribution during walking, and imbalances in the leg muscles.”

      Greenberg says active strength training is the best solution. Think of squats on one leg, keeping balance at the lowest point for five seconds. Then work with light weights. If you are not sure about the exercise technique, then it is better to consult a trainer.

      First published on the American GQ website.

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      Phonophoresis treatment of heel spurs | Methodology and rehabilitation

      A calcaneal spur is the ossification of muscle tissue in the area where the heel bone attaches to the muscle tendon on the sole. The fascia becomes inflamed and provokes the formation of a spur. Since the growths occur mainly on soft tissues under the pressure of the body weight, the transferred area responds with severe pain. This symptom, as well as a sharp, shooting pain when standing up upon waking, are the key signs of a heel spur.

      Of the causes of pathology, medicine identifies 5 most common:

      • overweight;
      • diseases of the joints and spinal column;
      • systematic continuous loads on the heel area;
      • longitudinal flat feet;
      • calcaneus injuries of various origins.

      Phonophoresis spur treatment

      Not so long ago, there were three methods of treating spurs:

      • homemade;
      • operational;
      • conservative.

      Today, doctors are increasingly using ultrasound to remove a thorn. In St. Petersburg, phonophoresis treatment of a heel spur can be performed on a modern and safe Reton Forte apparatus at the IntegraMed Consultative and Diagnostic Center (formerly the National Diagnostic Center). The mechanism of action of the procedure is simple, the entire painful area on the heel is warmed up by ultrasound to a predetermined temperature, healing processes are launched:

      • damaged tissue regenerates faster;
      • the metabolism is accelerated;
      • the spasm is removed and the ossification is resolved;
      • improves blood circulation.

      Due to its safety and high efficiency, phonophoresis can be used to treat all types of heel spurs. It does not deform healthy bone tissue, eliminates inflammation and reduces the amount of salt deposits. The crushed particles are gradually flushed out of the body through the bloodstream.

      For the best result, phonophoresis is combined with the use of non-steroidal drugs, which, under the influence of low-frequency vibrations, penetrate as deeply as possible into the damaged tissue.The most effective of these is considered to be an ointment or gel with hydrocortisone. The lower the wave frequency, the higher the tissue permeability.

      The effect of phonophoresis treatment of a heel spur is noticeable after the first sessions. Stabilization of the condition is the complete absence of pain when walking. To completely get rid of the calcaneal growth, it is necessary to undergo a full course of treatment with medications and ultrasound, otherwise a relapse is inevitable.

      Rehabilitation after phonophoresis treatment

      After completely getting rid of the spur and a recovery period, you can get rid of the unpleasant ailment forever.For rehabilitation to be successful, you need to adhere to a sparing regimen and medical recommendations:

      • avoid overloading the foot;
      • to control body weight and prevent weight gain;
      • to carry out a foot massage;
      • to engage in special medical gymnastics;
      • systematically examine the heel area if any pain occurs;
      • at the first signs of spur formation, seek medical help.

      The IntegraMed CDC (formerly NDC) in St. Petersburg conducts phonophoresis treatment of the heel spur both as an independent procedure and in combination with non-steroidal drugs based on hydrocortisone.Physiotherapy course 6-10 sessions, depending on medical recommendations. Treatment is carried out using the apparatus “Reton Forte”.

      Call us and make an appointment for an initial consultation with a doctor. The course of treatment is determined for each patient individually.

      90,000 Stiff toe – what to do if your big toe hurts?

      What is a stiff pin

      Stiff toe is an arthrosis of the big toe.As the articular cartilage degrades, the mobility of the finger gradually decreases. Long-term inflammation can result in complete immobility of the joint (ankylosis).

      Stiff finger: causes and risk factors

      Articular cartilage destruction occurs between the first metatarsal bone and the proximal phalanx of the thumb. Why some people develop the disease, while others do not, is not exactly known.Possible causes of arthrosis of the big toe are hereditary factors, trauma, inflammation, excessive stress and deformities. Sometimes, stiffness is a complication of gout.

      The following factors may contribute to the onset and progression of arthrosis of the first toe:

      • Unsuitable, tight shoes
      • Deformity of the foot
      • Flat-valgus foot
      • Improper or excessive stress, such as gait disturbance or overweight
      • Bone fractures and soft tissue inflammation.
      • Gout

      How to recognize arthrosis of the big toe

      The combination of the following symptoms may indicate arthrosis of the big toe:

      • Pain in the joint of the big toe when walking
      • Stiffness of the big toe
      • Swollen and reddened joint of the big toe
      • Used shoes become tight
      • Worsening symptoms weather
      • Discomfort in knee and hip joints due to overstrain

      Treatment of arthrosis of the big toe

      Treatment begins with a correct diagnosis.To make a diagnosis, the doctor carefully asks the patient about the medical history and complaints. He also performs examination, palpation and X-ray of the thumb.

      The goal of treatment is to slow the progression of the disease, reduce symptoms, and relieve pain. The doctor recommends treatment depending on the stage of the disease.

      Methods of conservative treatment

      Conservative methods:

      • Special insoles
      • Orthopedic shoes
      • Physiotherapy
      • Physiotherapy, incl.including balneotherapy (sulfur and radon baths)
      • Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs
      • Local injections, for example, hyaluronic acid or cortisone-containing drugs

      Orthopedic products for arthrosis of the first toe

      It is recommended to start treatment with the purchase of insoles that relieve the big toe.In this case, gait biomechanics is partially or completely restored. This will noticeably ease the pain in the thumb joint.

      For patients with arthrosis of the first toe who wear medical compression stockings, there is a special version of the product with a relief zone for the first toe.

      Surgical treatment

      If conservative measures do not work or there is a marked change in the joint, the orthopedist may consider surgery.

      One of the methods of surgical treatment of severe arthrosis of the first toe is arthrodesis – surgical immobilization of the toe. Immobilizing the joint relieves the patient of pain. Adjacent joints and an orthopedic cushion on the sole of the shoe compensate for the loss of motion.

      In case of violation of the axis of the finger, arthrodesis can be combined with corrective osteotomy (dissection of the bone with subsequent restoration of its integrity along the physiological axis). ¹

      Sources

      ¹ R.K. Marti, R. J. van Heerwaarden: Osteotomies for posttraumatic deformities. AO-Foundation Publishing. Thieme-Verlag Stuttgart 2008 (ISBN 978-3-13148671-4)

      eurocom e.V., Einlagenversorgung, 2. Auflage 2012, Hallux Rigidus. S. 26

      Thieme.de, Spiraldynamik-Hallux Rigidus, Online veröffentlicht unter: www.thieme.de/de/gesundheit/spiraldynamik-hallux-rigidus-51958.htm (last access: 18.05.2018)

      www.medon.de/uebungen_hallux_rigidus.html (last access: 05/18/2018)

      Diagnostics and treatment

      Most common causes of foot deformities

      Foot deformities

      91,000 90,000 Sore feet: reasons for what to do Disease Manifestations of the disease Flat feet Fatigue, heaviness in the legs at the end of the day, swelling in the ankle area.Legs get tired quickly, it is difficult for women to walk in heels. The foot becomes wider. Contusion The most common foot injury. Causes foot pain, swelling, swelling, bruising on the skin. Ligament sprain Occurs after sports, great physical activity. Causes severe foot pain and swelling. Ligament rupture Sharp sharp pain in the foot immediately after injury.The foot hurts at rest, it is impossible to step on it. Fracture The feet are very sore, swollen, it is impossible to step on the foot. Arthritis of the joints of the foot Pain in the foot, under the toes, swelling and stiffness in the joint. The skin over the joint becomes red and hot to the touch. Tendinitis of the posterior tibial muscle Aching pains in the arch of the foot disappear after rest.Without treatment, the pain becomes chronic, increases with walking, and does not go away after sleep. Hallux valgus of thumb and little finger The thumb or little finger moves towards the other fingers. The part of the joint on the inside or outside of the foot is enlarged. Metatarsalgia Pain in the sole of the foot. It is impossible to lean on the leg while walking. Plantar fasciitis Pain in the heel or inner sole.Acute pain occurs in the morning after getting out of bed. During the day, the pain goes away. Heel spurs Severe pain in the back of the foot. It is difficult for a person to walk and even stand. Achillotendinitis Acute shooting pain in the back of the foot and lower leg. The feet hurt when walking after a long rest. Osteoporosis The feet hurt at rest, the painful sensations intensify during physical exertion.The pain occurs when pressing on the bones of the foot, which are close to the skin.