The Cause of Stabbing Heel Pain and How to Treat It

Published on April 15, 2019

Ever experience shooting pain in your heels when getting out of bed in the morning? Or unbearable heel pain after sitting for long periods of time? If you’re nodding your head “yes,” you may be dealing with plantar fasciitis. But be encouraged; your pain can be relieved with noninvasive treatment. Let’s explore this condition and your options for relief.

What Is the Plantar Fascia?

Your plantar fascia is located on the bottom of your feet and consists of a thick band of tissue that connects from the heel bone into your toes. When you’re active, this fascia plays the vital role of a hard-working support system in your foot. The band essentially acts as a bow to help absorb shock and provide support to both of your feet throughout dynamic movement. Pretty awesome, right?

How Plantar Fasciitis Happens

When this fascia gets overused or inflamed, it can turn into one of the most common causes of heel pain. Because of its supportive role through movement, plantar fasciitis is incredibly common amongst runners, although other physically active adults may also develop plantar fasciitis, with risks increasing for those over 40.

So what causes plantar fasciitis? When that band of fascia becomes overworked and has excessive tension and stress placed upon it repeatedly, small tears can start to form. These tears are the irritation that leads to plantar fasciitis and the feeling of stabbing heel pain. Though the pain usually subsides a bit with some “warming up” of the foot, it generally returns post-activity, after prolonged periods of sitting, and first thing in the morning.

Runners and athletes are not the only populations who are affected by plantar fasciitis though. Some people who are genetically a bit more “flat-footed” as well as those who have a higher arch than normal have experienced this same stabbing heel pain. This is a result of foot mechanics needing to work a bit harder to distribute weight evenly.

Plantar fasciitis can also develop in those engaging in repeated jumping routines through dance or exercise, have jobs that keep them on their feet throughout the day, or those who struggle with obesity.

How To Relieve Plantar Fasciitis Pain

If you’re managing plantar fasciitis pain, the good news is that most cases are completely treatable through conservative care over the course of a couple of months. One of the first steps is to try resting the affected foot or feet a bit more than usual. This may mean dialing back your exercise routine or switching to some non-weight-bearing activities to give the fascia along the bottom of your foot a chance to rest. If your work keeps you on your feet, pay attention to opportunities where you can incorporate some sitting as a part of your routine. Many have also experienced relief by applying ice to the affected area.

Light stretching of the plantar fascia can also be beneficial, though you should be careful of excessive stretching of the area, as this can contribute to more tearing along the fascia. Even if your goal is to keep your feet in tip-top shape, be careful not to overdo it with too many aggressive foot stretching exercises. Additionally, some experience relief by sleeping in a foot splint or by incorporating orthotics into their footwear rotation.

Chiropractic Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis Pain

Believe it or not, chiropractic treatment is another non-invasive method to use while addressing plantar fasciitis pain. Because of the inflammatory nature of plantar fasciitis, chiropractic adjustments of the spine can help the body realign to minimize inflammation while you’re healing. Additional adjustments of the extremities, including the feet, can also help decrease inflammation and keep your healing timeline on track. Your chiropractor can also help prescribe the best at-home exercises to quicken your recovery time outside of the office.

With regular chiropractic care, you’ll keep your body’s response system in tip-top shape and minimize inflammation. During the initial evaluation, we will go over your symptom history in detail and construct a treatment plan that you are completely comfortable with before moving forward. Don’t put off your healing; schedule an appointment online or call (949) 397-6699.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person advice or care from a medical professional.

Town Center Foot & Ankle: Podiatry

Your feet contain numerous complex components that work together to give you full mobility. Because your feet handle so many stresses, they can be vulnerable to pain. 

But not all foot pain feels the same. The differences in types of foot pain can indicate the underlying cause. If you have foot pain that feels stabbing, you may be dealing with plantar fasciitis or with a neuroma.

At Town Center Foot & Ankle, our board-certified podiatrist Stephen Eichelsdorfer, DPM, better known as Dr. Ike, can diagnose the cause of your stabbing foot pain. From offices located in Kingwood and Atascocita, Texas, he treats new and existing patients with a variety of podiatry problems

Stabbing foot pain: a symptom of plantar fasciitis

If you feel a stabbing pain in your heels every day when you first stand up after getting out of bed in the morning, you’re likely dealing with plantar fasciitis. 

In this condition, the band of connective tissue in the sole of your foot called the plantar fascia becomes inflamed and irritated, leading to pain. The pain may ease to a dull ache after those first stabbing moments.

Typically, getting moving helps with plantar fasciitis pain. After a physical exam to confirm your condition, Dr. Ike can recommend other simple self-care treatments to help. Surgical treatments or steroids may be needed for severe cases.

Could your stabbing foot pain indicate a neuroma?

If your foot pain is concentrated in the ball of your foot, you could have a neuroma. Patients with Morton’s neuroma often describe discomfort similar to walking on a sharp stone, often felt between two toes.

Morton’s neuroma occurs when the tissue around the nerves between your toes grows thickened, and it often causes symptoms that feel worse after activity or wearing shoes. 

Dr. Ike can recommend orthotics to help decrease the pressure on your toes or steroid injections to support the affected area. In severe cases of Morton’s neuroma, you may need surgery.

Other potential podiatry issues

Several other types of conditions may be causing your stabbing foot pain. Among the other potential causes of foot pain are:

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Related to nerve compression in your feet, tarsal tunnel syndrome typically presents with shooting, burning, or aching foot pain, sometimes accompanied by numbness or tingling.

Metatarsalgia 

A condition related to deterioration in the bones of your forefoot, metatarsalgia can leave you feeling sharp pain around the bottom of the balls of your feet, similar to stepping on a stone.

Ingrown toenails

This condition causes ongoing irritation that can lead to infection as the sharp edges of your nails press into your sensitive nail bed.

We can help ease your stabbing foot pain

No matter the reason for your stabbing foot pain, Dr. Ike and our care team at Town Center Foot & Ankle can diagnose your condition and recommend the right treatments to resolve your symptoms. 

After professional diagnosis and treatment, you may be able to live completely free of foot pain.

To talk with the Town Center Foot & Ankle care team about your stabbing foot pain, reach out today. You can schedule your initial consultation over the phone or with our online booking tool.

Plantar Fasciitis – Heel Pain | Foot Health Facts

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Heel pain, especially stabbing heel pain, is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition that is sometimes also called heel spur syndrome when a spur is present. Heel pain may also be due to other causes, such as a stress fracture, tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation or, rarely, a cyst.

Because there are several potential causes, it is important to have heel pain properly diagnosed. A foot and ankle surgeon is able to distinguish between all the possibilities and to determine the underlying source of your heel pain.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes. In this condition, the fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel pain.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

The most common cause of plantar fasciitis relates to faulty structure of the foot. For example, people who have problems with their arches, either overly flat feet or high-arched feet, are more prone to developing plantar fasciitis.

Wearing nonsupportive footwear on hard, flat surfaces puts abnormal strain on the plantar fascia and can also lead to plantar fasciitis. This is particularly evident when one’s job requires long hours on the feet. Obesity and overuse may also contribute to plantar fasciitis.

Symptoms of Plantar Fascittis

The symptoms of plantar fasciitis are:

• Pain on the bottom of the heel
• Pain in the arch of the foot
• Pain that is usually worse upon arising
• Pain that increases over a period of months
• Swelling on the bottom of the heel
  
   

People with plantar fasciitis often describe the pain as worse when they get up in the morning or after they have been sitting for long periods of time. After a few minutes of walking, the pain decreases because walking stretches the fascia. For some people, the pain subsides but returns after spending long periods of time on their feet.

Diagnosis of Plantar Fascittis

To arrive at a diagnosis, the foot and ankle surgeon will obtain your medical history and examine your foot. Throughout this process, the surgeon rules out all possible causes for your heel pain other than plantar fasciitis.

In addition, diagnostic imaging studies, such as x-rays or other imaging modalities, may be used to distinguish the different types of heel pain. Sometimes heel spurs are found in patients with plantar fasciitis, but these are rarely a source of pain. When they are present, the condition may be diagnosed as plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Treatment of plantar fasciitis begins with first-line strategies, which you can begin at home:

• Stretching exercises. Exercises that stretch out the calf muscles help ease pain and assist with recovery.
• Avoid going barefoot. When you walk without shoes, you put undue strain and stress on your plantar fascia.
• Ice. Putting an ice pack on your heel for 20 minutes several times a day helps reduce inflammation. Place a thin towel between the ice and your heel; do not apply ice directly to the skin.
• Limit activities. Cut down on extended physical activities to give your heel a rest.
• Shoe modifications. Wearing supportive shoes that have good arch support and a slightly raised heel reduces stress on the plantar fascia.
• Medications. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.
  
   

If you still have pain after several weeks, see your foot and ankle surgeon, who may add one or more of these treatment approaches:

• Padding, taping and strapping. Placing pads in the shoe softens the impact of walking. Taping and strapping help support the foot and reduce strain on the fascia.
• Orthotic devices. Custom orthotic devices that fit into your shoe help correct the underlying structural abnormalities causing the plantar fasciitis.
• Injection therapy. In some cases, corticosteroid injections are used to help reduce the inflammation and relieve pain.
• Removable walking cast. A removable walking cast may be used to keep your foot immobile for a few weeks to allow it to rest and heal.
• Night splint. Wearing a night splint allows you to maintain an extended stretch of the plantar fascia while sleeping. This may help reduce the morning pain experienced by some patients.
• Physical therapy. Exercises and other physical therapy measures may be used to help provide relief.
  
   

When Is Surgery Needed?

Although most patients with plantar fasciitis respond to nonsurgical treatment, a small percentage of patients may require surgery. If, after several months of nonsurgical treatment, you continue to have heel pain, surgery will be considered. Your foot and ankle surgeon will discuss the surgical options with you and determine which approach would be most beneficial for you.

Long-Term Care

No matter what kind of treatment you undergo for plantar fasciitis, the underlying causes that led to this condition may remain. Therefore, you will need to continue with preventive measures. Wearing supportive shoes, stretching and using custom orthotic devices are the mainstay of long-term treatment for plantar fasciitis.

Why choose a foot and ankle surgeon?

Foot and ankle surgeons are the leading experts in foot and ankle care today. As doctors of podiatric medicine – also known as podiatrists, DPMs or occasionally “foot and ankle doctors” – they are the board-certified surgical specialists of the podiatric profession. Foot and ankle surgeons have more education and training specific to the foot and ankle than any other healthcare provider.

Foot and ankle surgeons treat all conditions affecting the foot and ankle, from the simple to the complex, in patients of all ages including plantar fasciitis, heel pain and stabbing heel pain. Their intensive education and training qualify foot and ankle surgeons to perform a wide range of surgeries, including any surgery that may be indicated for plantar fasciitis or heel pain.

It Feels Like My Foot Is Being Stabbed! Plantar Fascitis Info

Plantar fasciitis is a common ailment for active people. We’d like to help you figure out if you’ve got it and help you treat it.

1. What exactly is plantar fasciitis? (Mechanics, how many people are affected, demographics, etc.)

Plantar Fasciitis involves pain and inflammation of a thick band of tissue, called the Plantar Fascia, which runs across the bottom of your foot — connecting your heel bone to your toes.

Plantar Fasciitis causes stabbing pain that usually occurs with your very first steps in the morning. Once your foot limbers up, the pain of plantar fasciitis normally decreases, but it may return after long periods of standing, getting up from a seated position, or running/walking.     

2. What are the causes and symptoms (Not sure where to start? Book with us now.)

The causes and symptoms are varied, but below is a list of causes we find to be the main root causes of Plantar Fasciitis.

• Tight calves will increase tension on the Plantar Fascia.
• Altered foot function: Excessively flat or high arches.
• Lack of big toe extension- Upward movement of the big toe.
• Tight hip flexors will reduce the ability to use Gluteals in ‘push off.’
  the phase of the stride, hence increasing the workload on the Plantar
  Fascia and calves.
• Reduced glute and hamstring strength will again increase the demand on the calves and Plantar Fascia, predisposing to an overload of these structures.
• Walking barefoot on hard surfaces
• Improper running/walking technique
• Worn-out/Improper shoes
• Increased distances of walking or running too soon.

3. When should you seek medical help and How will a doctor evaluate the problem (tests, x-rays, etc.)

Seek a chiropractor’s help if the pain has been present for longer than a week because regular soreness should start to dissipate after a few days.

At Align To Health, we will start with a general assessment of the spine, a detailed assessment the low back to ensure there is no involvement (a true sciatic nerve can be reproducing similar symptoms). We then check and make sure the hip, knee, ankle and foot are moving well. Focusing in on the foot, we check each joint and muscle to screen for major injury. This allows us to come to a definitive conclusion and diagnosis for the pain you are experiencing.

If there was a traumatic incident (a major fall, pain was sudden during activity, or a “pop” was heard) consult a physician sooner rather than later. X-rays or further imaging may be necessary which can rule out a bone issue (heel spurs) or a soft tissue problem (muscle strain/tear).

4. What is the normal course of treatment from the most conservative to surgery perhaps? (Ask us about treatment options)

Plantar Fascia is a muscle/tendon. Muscles and tendons can have varying levels of injury, a basic strain all the way to full tear. Which means that treatment expectations can vary depending on the severity of the situation.

General rule of thumb though: It should first be treated conservatively for 4-6 weeks via adjustments to ensure proper movement of the joints, soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle tightness, and exercise to strengthen the joints muscles involved. If after this trial of care, you are still experiencing pain, you should be referred out for further examination to determine if the cause of pain is of another nature.

Stretching for the Gastrocnemius (outer calf), Soleus (inner calf), hip flexors (front of the hip) and the Plantar Fascia. Secondly, you need to be evaluated to determine if you have excessively flat or excessively high arches. If you have flat feet, an orthotic may be beneficial. Manual therapy such as massage, Active Release Techniques, Graston Technique to the calves, Achilles, and Plantar Fascia are instrumental in achieving resolution of pain. Lastly, strengthening of the glutes and hamstrings (along with hamstring flexibility) are vital to the proper biomechanics of the lower body.

5. How can we avoid this condition while performing our important activities? (Ask a

From a physical standpoint, the best way to prevent Plantar Fasciitis is to obviously correct the causes by performing exercises to correct any of the above listed dysfunctions. Sports that involve running tend to get this condition the most, though I have seen a number of non-athletes with the same condition. Proper technique, footwear, mileage increases, and surfaces should be addressed and improved as much as possible. If you are an athlete, reducing how much activity you do is an easy place to start to reduce the amount of load the fascia is taking. Seeing us for soft tissue treatment, proper stretches, and a thorough rehab program is going to streamline the healing process. Leaving you with more time to be happy and pain-free during your activities.

Foot Pain in Arch, Top, Ball & Bottom: Causes, Diagnosis & Relief

Pain in the foot can arise from several different causes. Foot pain causes include conditions affecting any of the structures in the foot, including the skin, nerves, muscles, joints, tendons, bones, ligaments, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Trauma or injury is a common cause of foot pain. Even everyday situations, such as overuse or poorly fitting shoes can lead to temporary, acute pain in the feet.

Foot pain can be described as sharp, stabbing, dull or throbbing. It can also feel like a tingling or burning sensation (paresthesia), which is common in conditions like diabetes that can damage the peripheral nerves (peripheral neuropathy). Foot pain may be mild to severe in intensity and occur only at certain times of day or when you perform certain activities. Moving your foot or ankle may either worsen or relieve the pain. With severe pain related to traumatic injuries, it may be impossible to move the affected foot at all.

In some cases, foot pain is localized in one foot (unilateral). It may occur only in one area, such as foot pain in the arch. It can also occur on the top of the foot (dorsum), the bottom of the foot (plantar surface), the heel, the ankle, or the toes. Plantar fasciitis is an example of a condition in which pain is felt primarily at the bottom of the heel.

Foot pain may be recent in origin (acute) or develop over time (chronic). In some situations, foot pain can occur because of chronic medical conditions you may have that affect your entire body, such as arthritis, vascular disease, or diabetes.

Although life-threatening complications of foot pain are rare, seek immediate medical care (call 911) for injuries that involve profuse bleeding or tissue damage. In rare cases, infections of the bone (osteomyelitis) or skin and soft tissues (cellulitis) of the foot can spread throughout the body, resulting in shock and organ failure. Another rare but potentially life-threatening cause of foot pain is cancer of the bones or soft tissues in the foot.

If your foot injury or condition is persistent, recurrent, or causes you concern, seek prompt medical care.

5 Common Causes of Heel Pain

October 10, 2018 6:41 pm
Published by impulse

You never realize how much you rely on your feet until you’re experiencing sharp pain with every step.

As the largest bone in your foot, the heel is often the prime target for injury or inflammation. The problem is, with 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 tendons surrounding each foot and ankle, it can be hard to pinpoint the source of your heel pain, as many regions connect and rely on surrounding structures with each movement.

Here are four common causes of heel pain to you narrow down your prognosis:

Plantar Fasciitis

Are you experiencing sensitivity towards the base of your heel close to the back of your arch? Maybe it hurts just slipping out of bed in the morning, before you’ve even put any weight on your feet.

Plantar Fasciitis is the most common form of heel discomfort, typically in the form of a stabbing pain around the bottom of your foot near your heel. This inflammation can be caused by strain or damage to one of the most important ligaments in the foot— the plantar fascia. This foot condition is usually related to overuse or injury from exercise, though like many foot-related ailments, could be linked to obesity, age or medical conditions which affect the strength of your tendons. In some cases, being flat-footed, having a high arch or even having an abnormal pattern of walking can be trigger this pain.

Posterior Tibial Tendonitis

Do you have a shooting pain along the in-step of your foot around your arch and heel, or stabbing or burning which extends to the inside of your ankle?

Posterior Tibial Tendonitis is known as tendinitis of the foot. Simply put, it’s inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon, which runs along the inside of the ankle. This inflammation can be caused by irritation of the tendon or tiny tears from activities that require repetitive ankle movements, or from rolling your ankle playing sports. Those who have diabetes, are overweight, hypertensive or have weaken tendons due to old age are at greater risk factor of getting tendonitis.

Achilles Tendonitis

Do you experience a mild ache in the back of your leg or right above your heel after activity? Maybe the tendon behind your foot is tender or stiff too the next morning.

Achilles Tendonitis occurs when the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue connecting your calf muscles to your heel, is overused and injured. Men are typically more at risk for this injury, but both women and men who run in worn-out shoes or suddenly increase the intensity or duration of their runs, may suffer from this form of heel pain. Those taking certain antibiotics, have medical conditions such as high blood pressure or are elderly are most susceptible to Achilles Tendonitis.

Sprains & Strains

Did you recently twist your foot or roll your ankle and now have sudden heel sensitivity?

Sprains occur when a joint is twisted while bearing weight, while strains are caused when too much force is applied on a specific muscle. You may think a fall or applied force would need to occur to suffer from one of these foot problems, but even those who fail to properly warm up before physical activity can fall victim to these forms of heel pain. Both can occur on an acute level, after a one-time incident, but if left untreated a strain can become chronic and never truly heal for those continuing repetitive activity. Sprains can range from mild to severe, but in extreme cases, can cause tissue damage from a ruptured ligament.

Fractures

Are you experiencing intense pain after a recent impact?

A fracture can range from a thin crack to a complete break of the bone and is usually accompanied by intense pain right after an injury. If you suffered a direct blow to your heel or surround ankle region— especially if you heard a snap!— or experience immediate swelling that lasts for hours or days after the event, seek medical attention.

The Healing Your Heel Needs

In most instances, there are a few ways to instantly subdue your heel pain:

• If you are experiencing excessive stress on your tendons from physical activity like running, take it easy. Your body might need a few days to recover. Plus, it could help to prevent further irritation and injury. 
• If your shoes are rubbing the back of your heel or not providing adequate cushioning or arch support, this could be the culprit. Ditch the ill-fitting or worn-out shoes and get custom fitted footwear. 
• Before activity, warm up and stretch your muscles to avoid strain. 
• If your pain persists, turn to a podiatrist. In some severe cases of heel injuries, surgery may be required.

Many of these common causes of heel pain are hard to diagnose without a professional opinion.

Before assuming you know the cause, schedule an appointment with one of our experienced foot and ankle doctors. We’ll give you the verdict and get you on a speedy road to recovery.

Give us a call at 239.936.5400 to make an appointment today.

8 Common Causes Of Foot Arch Pain

Visit source: http://www.footfiles.com/health/orthopaedics/article/whats-causing-my-foot-arch-pain

Our feet are composed of a highly complex system of bones, ligaments, and tendons that normally work together miraculously; however, causes of foot pain can range from injury and inflammation to structural issues. Not all foot pain is serious, but you should never ignore any aches.

In most cases, arch pain or strain develops from overuse, unsupportive shoes, weight gain or acute injury. If you feel an intense, shooting pain on the bottom of your foot between the toes and heel it’s most likely due to this condition.

Causes of Arch Pain

As you probably know, the curved, contoured area on the bottom of your feet, located between the ball of the foot and your heel, is called the arch of the foot. It consists primarily of fibrous tissues called ligaments that hold your foot bones together and connect the toes to the heel. Foot muscles and a tough tissue known as the plantar fascia are also located in the arch of the foot and assist in providing support to the foot.

Treatment & Prevention

Firstly, avoid high-heeled shoes whenever possible. Try to choose footwear with a reasonable heel, soft leather uppers, shock absorbing soles and removable foot insoles.

Some people have high arches, while others have low arches — and both affect the way your feet and legs work when you’re walking and running. But it’s not just the shape of your arch that can affect regular body mechanics and cause pain.

Check out this list of common arch pain causes below to help identify what’s leading to your foot pain:

1. Plantar Fasciitis

If you often feel a sharp, stabbing pain on the underside of your foot toward the heel, then you may have a very common condition called plantar fasciitis. The injury is characterized by pain and inflammation of the plantar fascia—the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fasciitis pain is usually worse in the morning and tends to decrease throughout the day. However, it can be triggered by long periods of standing or excess walking.

Most cases of plantar fasciitis are caused by extreme stress on the foot muscles. This can come from wearing high heeled or uncomfortable shoes, being overweight, exercising too much, and certain foot abnormalities (like flat feet or high arch foot).

2. Flat Feet

Nearly one third of people in the United States are born with flat feet (a.k.a. fallen arches). The condition is characterized by a very low or non-existent arch in the foot that results in most of the sole of the foot to touch the ground. Sometimes the aging process results in flat feet as the tendons stretch and no longer pull together properly.

Foot orthotics can usually reduce any arch pain associated flat feet. For immediate help go to http://aetrex.com/aetrex-orthotics-new for easy solutions to help get out of arch pain.

3. High Arch Foot

A high arch foot, or supinated foot, is another common foot deformity that can cause arch pain. The condition is characterized by the sole of the foot being unable to flatten while bearing weight, which can create pain in the arch of the foot as well as in the ankles, calves, knees and back. Most cases of high arch foot are present at birth, but it can be triggered by things like stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes and other medical conditions. In addition, A high arch foot often causes hammertoes, calluses, Achilles tendonitis and metatarsalgia.

4. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is characterized by compression of the tibial nerve that runs through the tarsal tunnel found along the inside of the ankle. Though it  usually causes pain in the heels, ankles and lower legs, it sometimes creates a tingly, burning sensation in the arches of the feet that radiates up to the knees.

5. Foot Injury

Sometimes foot injuries like sprains, bone fractures and bruises can lead to arch pain. An example would be stepping on something that damages the structure of the bottom of your foot or twisting the arch of your foot. If you’ve recently experienced a foot injury and have arch pain, you should visit your doctor or podiatrist to rule out a foot sprain, bruise or bone fracture.

6. Neuromas

A neuroma is a swelling of the nerve that is typically caused by an injury, overuse of the feet or trauma. Sometimes called nerve tumors, the most common place for neuromas is in the ball of the foot. Symptoms associated with neuromas include burning pain and numbness in the toes, but in rare cases, patients can experience arch pain, as well. Common treatment for neuromas includes cortisone injections, orthotics and surgery.

7. Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease that causes pain, swelling and inflammation of the joints. When arthritis affects a person’s feet, he or she often makes adjustments in walking style in order to avoid pain. This can put undue stress and pressure on different parts of the feet, which can then lead to arch pain.

8. Overuse

Sometimes arch pain is simply due to overuse of the foot, whether that be walking long distances, engaging in repetitive motion of the feet for an excessive amount of time, or exercising beyond one’s current abilities. Overuse can cause muscle and tendon fatigue as well as injuries like hairline fractures, all of which can lead to arch pain.

Source for comfort and support orthotics

Simply click the image below to see foot orthotic solutions that fit your needs:

When to See a doctor for arch pain

If your arch pain begins to interfere with your daily routine and activities, you should seek medical attention, especially if the arch of your foot looks discolored or deformed (both of which are symptoms of an injury or bone fracture), is extremely sensitive to touch or is causing you to move and walk differently.

The good news is with a combination of education, decent footwear, rest, ice, lifestyle modifications and the right orthotic inserts, most people can expect fast initial relief from arch pain and eventual recovery from Plantar Fasciitis.

Visit source: http://www.footfiles.com/health/orthopaedics/article/whats-causing-my-foot-arch-pain

90,000 Causes of heel pain – symptoms, which doctor to see

The frequency of spread of heel pain is difficult to determine. Many people, periodically experiencing pain, prefer to endure it or treat themselves without going to a doctor.

Causes of heel pain

The cause of heel pain is inflammation. It, in turn, can be caused by various factors.

• Injury. Most often, heel pain occurs due to inflammation caused by injury to the heel structures – mechanical damage to the heel bone, tendons, bursae or ligaments.Because of this, pathologies accompanied by pain can develop – cracks in the calcaneus, bruises, sprains of the ankle ligaments and the Achilles tendon, heel spurs and bursitis.
• The second most common cause of inflammation and pain in the heel area is metabolic disorders: diabetes mellitus and gout. In diabetes mellitus, the walls of the blood vessels are affected. Veins in the legs are the first to suffer from diabetic angiopathy. With gout, uric acid salts accumulate in the joints and periarticular structures.Vascular disorders in diabetes and uric acid accumulation in gout are the causes of pain.
• Occasionally, the heels can hurt during inflammation caused by autoimmune diseases, such as reactive arthritis. Rarely, heel pain can occur due to inflammatory lesions of the heel structures by pathogenic microbes. As a rule, purulent inflammation of the calcaneus is observed in tuberculosis and osteomyelitis.

What can hurt in the heel

Calcaneus. Pain in it occurs due to inflammation in reactive arthritis, epiphysitis, osteomyelitis, tuberculosis, osteochondropathy of the tubercle and fractures.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue. Involved in pathological processes when structures underneath are damaged. Pain in diabetic angiopathy, gout, ankle sprain, heel spur, etc.

Synovial bags. There are two of them in the heel area – the retrocalcanal and superficial bursa of the Achilles tendon.Pain with bursitis.

Ligaments and fascia. The lateral ligaments of the ankle are most commonly affected. It hurts with bruises and sprains on the back of the foot. Plantar – plantar fascia – usually hurts with plantar fasciitis – heel spur.

Achilles tendon. When it is inflamed, the back of the heel hurts.

Nerves and blood vessels. Nerves, as a rule, become inflamed in any pathology of the calcaneal structures. Vascular damage causes pain in bruises, diabetic angiopathy, osteomyelitis and tuberculosis of the calcaneus.

Intermetatarsal joints. The talocalcaneonavicular and calcaneo-cuboid joints usually hurt with gout.

Which doctor should you go to when your heel hurts

First of all, with heel pain, it is necessary to exclude more dangerous diseases requiring urgent treatment. Therefore, the first specialist to consult for heel pain is a surgeon.

Diseases in which heel pains are possible:

• heel spur, or plantar fasciitis;
• bursitis;
• Haglund deformation;
• tarsal tunnel syndrome;
• tuberculosis of the calcaneus;
• osteomyelitis;
• reactive arthritis;
• osteochondropathy;
• epiphysitis;
• diabetic angiopathy;
• gout;
• bruises;
• stretching;
• tendon inflammation;
• cracks.

Common complaints

If you have pain on the inside of the heel, first of all, you need to exclude the heel spur – for this, an x-ray is taken. If there are no spurs, the cause of side pain may be injuries, foot deformities or excessive loads – excess weight, uncomfortable shoes, hard physical labor.

If the heel hurts when walking and it hurts to step on it, try to reduce the load and see a doctor. With the described symptoms, heel spur, achillitis, osteochondropathy of the heel tuberosity, bursitis or load periostitis are primarily suspected.In addition to them, infectious diseases, oncology and injuries are possible. The tactics of individual differential diagnostics are developed by the attending physician.

Most often, the heel hurts the field of sleep with a heel spur. The disease is characterized by intense pain in the heels in the morning, in the afternoon it subsides.

Diagnosis of heel pain

When visiting a doctor, the examination is carried out according to a specific plan. The doctor asks in detail about the complaints, specifying their nature, type and localization of pain, examines the affected area.If necessary, prescribes a number of laboratory tests and instrumental examinations. These include:

• Complete blood count. It is necessary to detect the inflammatory process, reduce hemoglobin in case of anemia, change the level of platelets in case of blood coagulation problems.
• Blood biochemistry. The analysis will show the available shifts in metabolic processes, will help in identifying diabetic lesions, rheumatoid, gouty arthritis, infections caused by pathogenic streptococci.
• Analysis for tumor markers. It is needed if there is a suspicion of bone tumor processes.
• Sowing of purulent discharge on the flora. It is necessary in the presence of purulent lesions, the selection of antimicrobial drugs.
• Radiography of the bones and soft tissues of the foot. It will help in identifying unexplained pain in the heel, including after injury, against the background of degenerative processes.
• Ultrasound in the detection of arthritis, bursitis, neuroma, tunnel syndrome with the definition of the localization of the focus of inflammation.
• Puncture of a bone or bursa in case of suspected infectious or tumor lesions.
• CT or MRI for accurate diagnosis of damage to any structure in the area of ​​the foot and heel.

Methods for the treatment of heel pain

They try to treat pathologies of the heel region conservatively, but this is not always possible. If conservative therapy is ineffective, this is an indication for surgery. Surgical treatment quickly and permanently removes the cause of heel pain.Modern surgery is based on minimally invasive outpatient techniques with minimal trauma and a short recovery period.

Heel spur

Surgical treatment of a heel spur is indicated if conservative therapy fails within 6 months. Types of operations for heel spur – osteophyte removal and plantar fasciotomy.

Interventions are performed under local anesthesia. Through a small incision, the surgeon inserts an endoscopic probe and microsurgical instruments.Under the control of a micro-video camera, he excises the bone growth, and, if necessary, the inflamed area of ​​the fascia. So that the nerve is not squeezed in the future, the thick part of the adductor muscle of the big toe is dissected.

For more information on diagnostics and methods of removing a heel spur, click here.

If pain with a heel spur is caused not by an osteophyte, but by excessive tension of the plantar aponeurosis, tenotomy is done – a partial dissection of the tendon. The operation is performed without incisions – through punctures using a high frequency electric current (radio frequency tenotomy).

Bursitis

Bursectomy – surgical removal of the bursa – is indicated when conservative treatment of bursitis is ineffective. The operation is performed without incisions using arthroscopic technique.

Through 2-3 punctures with a diameter of 4-5 mm, microsurgical instruments and a miniature video camera are introduced into the joint. The articular capsule is dissected and removed. A sterile bandage is applied to the incisions. The duration of the procedure is about 30 minutes. The recovery period is 2 days.

Haglund Deformation

If conservative treatment of Haglund’s deformity is ineffective, surgical intervention is indicated.During endoscopic surgery – without incisions – the bone growth is removed from the surface of the calcaneal tuberosity, after which the retrocalcaneal bursa is excised. Thus, the mechanical functions of the Achilles tendon are restored and the cause of the pain is eliminated.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by large pathological formations in the tarsal canal – both congenital and acquired as a result of foot deformity – requires surgical treatment.During the operation, the pathogens are removed and the normal patency of the canal is restored.

Calcaneus tuberculosis

In the late stages of tuberculosis, as well as with the ineffectiveness of conservative therapy, surgical treatment is indicated. During the operation, the dead tissue of the calcaneus is excised and the cavities formed inside it are disinfected.

Osteomyelitis of the calcaneus

In case of osteomyelitis, during the operation, a purulent focus on the calcaneus is opened, it is cleaned of pus and dead tissue, after which the area of ​​localization of inflammation is thoroughly disinfected.

At the initial appointment, the surgeon will either rule out an urgent pathology and refer you to a specialized specialist, or immediately begin treatment.

Heel pain?

The appearance of severe, sometimes simply unbearable pain when walking, which does not allow you to move normally and force you to limp, is the first symptom of the appearance of a heel spur. What is this heel spur? Spine-like bone growth in the heel area is the heel spur, which in many cases causes an inflammatory process of the tendons.In the sore spot, a calcium build-up in the form of a spur occurs, which gave the name to the disease.

The reasons for the appearance of a heel spur can be varied: flat feet, metabolic disorders, severe overstrain of the foot, overweight or diseases of the spine. But the most important reason for the appearance of a heel spur in almost 90% of the population is flat feet. In more severe cases, as a result of flat feet, not only a heel spur appears, but also inflammation of the tendons and the surface of the bone tissue.Most often it appears in people who have crossed the 40-year mark and in athletes, since they have a lot of stress on their feet.

Symptoms of the heel spur

The spurs themselves do not show themselves outwardly. Only pain when walking and their intensification with physical exertion on the legs. These pains appear periodically during the day, then subside a little, but they are especially intense in the evening. The pain most often appears in the morning and after prolonged sitting.When standing up suddenly, a person experiences a very strong and sharp pain in the heel, as if a nail had been driven into it. Sometimes pains are such that a person needs to step on their toes. And in the evening, when the pain subsides, it seems that everything has passed, but the next day everything begins to repeat itself again, giving the person new torment and suffering.

Heel spur treatment

After a while, the pain syndrome becomes permanent, and the presence of a spur can only be detected by making an X-ray of the foot.Having passed the necessary examination, the doctor, on the basis of the data of the examination, already makes the final diagnosis – is it a heel spur or still some other disease that causes such severe pain.

At the initial stages of this disease, patients try to cure themselves on their own, resorting to the methods of traditional medicine. They do steaming and heating of the heel, use daily various rubbing and ointments, which are based on plant extracts, for example, golden mustache.But still, an appeal to a doctor who will prescribe the necessary massage and therapeutic exercises is simply necessary. In some cases, it is recommended to wear special orthopedic insoles, which, by unloading the sore leg, help to reduce severe pain, but the source of pain itself does not eliminate.

The use of pain relievers is also prescribed to relieve pain. Physiotherapeutic procedures are very effective in the treatment of heel spurs, after which relief does not come immediately, but after a while, the adoption of such several procedures leads to the start of the process of destruction of the heel spur.And after a while, the spur begins to dissolve by itself.

A rather individual method of treating spurs is pain blockade, in which an anesthetic drug is used in the form of an injection into the heel spur. But for such a procedure, you need to know the exact cause of the pain, as well as the nature of the disease.

In our medical center, heel spur and plantar fasciitis are treated by shock wave therapy using a modern Masterpulse MP 200 device.

The course of treatment of heel spurs with this method consists of 5 sessions. The session is carried out 1 time in 5-7 days. At the same time, you do not need to take anti-inflammatory drugs and do other physiotherapy procedures.

Shockwave therapy for heel spurs is more than ninety percent effective.

Of course, there is a method of surgical treatment, which is the most extreme way to get rid of a heel spur.With surgical intervention, the bone growth is removed, but the inflammatory process still remains in the sore spot. Shock wave therapy for this disease is an alternative to surgical treatment.

What is the prevention of a heel spur?

The most important and basic in the prevention of spurs is getting rid of excess weight. In addition, you need to lead an active lifestyle – walk more, do physical exercises, but at the same time try to avoid overexerting the feet.

It is also necessary to timely treat diseases of the spine and joints, if, of course, such diseases are present in humans. With flat feet, you must wear comfortable shoes and special orthopedic insoles.

You need to include in your menu foods that are rich in calcium.

At the first signs of a heel spur, it is necessary to carry out medical procedures and follow the doctor’s recommendations, since this disease can hide more serious diseases.

Make an appointment with a specialist by phone +7 (861) 221-03-33.

Causes of tingling sensations in the heel area | Pyatkin A

Many people, of course, have had to deal with the development of unbearable tingling in the area of ​​the feet, accompanied by numbness of the limbs. There is such a sensation, as if many needles are digging into the feet. Tingling sensations can last from 2-4 seconds to several minutes. A person has his own reaction to the presence of such symptoms.For some, there is a sharp painful discomfort, while for the rest it is only a temporary discomfort in the foot. In any situation, when a needle pricks in the heel, this indicates a change in the functioning of the body and requires immediate medical treatment.

Causes

Not everyone knows how heel numbness can be dangerous, and what is the reason for its occurrence. Numbness is subjective. Most often, it is determined by damage to the nerves or other structures of the nervous system.Tingling is a variation of paresthesia.

Unpleasant creepy symptoms in the area of ​​the heels can have a physiological course or manifest as a disease.
Physiological numbness of the lower extremities develops as a result of a person taking a horizontal position and throwing them up, then goosebumps are felt.

In addition, physiological symptoms may appear due to the wearing of constraining shoes, after freezing of the limbs. When cold is exposed, the vessels constrict, provoking the appearance of numbness, spasm and feelings, as if the heel is covered with goose bumps.In this situation, the feeling of colic heels does not belong to pathology and goes away on its own.

Painful lumbago in the heel develops against the background of various destructive disorders, which is a consequence of a number of diseases. If the feet are pricked like needles, then this indicates a disturbance in the functioning of the body.

The reasons why you feel tingling in the heels:

• With intense physical exertion, there is a high probability of excessive compression of the nerve endings. Long walks, sports activities can serve as factors for the development of goose bumps.
• Walking in tight shoes, with high heels. Rolling sand in the soles and toes indicates the presence of constricted vessels, compressed nerves.
• Deficiency of vitamins and minerals is often observed in childhood, when a developing body requires a balanced diet for the development of organs. With a lack of vitamins, the child may face physical damage to the ligaments, tendons, and the skeletal system, when the bones are not able to withstand a heavy load, become fragile (a sign of osteoporosis is back pain, stoop, decrease in growth over time).One of the symptoms is a feeling of creeping on the heels.
• Nervous cramps resulting from injured limbs. A spur in the heel area can cause convulsive twitching of the feet. Constriction of the nerve processes causes a similar reaction in the body.
• Bad habits, especially smoking.
• The use of certain drugs – certain groups of drugs can cause burning, cramps, tingling sensations throughout the body. This information is provided in the instructions for the drug.
• Excess body weight during pregnancy can increase the pressure on the vessels of the lower extremities. There is a drop in the rate of movement of blood and its stagnation in the veins. Therefore, a woman feels that, as if with needles, her heels are pricked, her limbs twitch spasmodically.

Numbness in the soles can form in a completely healthy person. This is possible with a long presence in a single position. During this period, there is a change in the movement of blood upward through the vessels due to compression of the veins, not allowing it to circulate normally.

Therefore, it is felt as if needles are pricking the feet. When the posture is changed, blood flow is restored.
Tingling sensation in the heels may be brief and persistent.

Numbness is often combined with other manifestations:

• Pale limbs.
• Severity.
• Pain syndrome.

If colic is regularly felt in the area of ​​the heels, then in this case such symptoms indicate disturbances in the activity of the body, the presence of pathology.It is especially worthwhile to be wary when colic is accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, such as:

• Burning sensation.
• Numbness.
• Painful discomfort.
• Decreased sensation of the epidermis.

Continuous appearance of colic like a needle, numbness can confirm the presence of the following diseases and painful conditions:

• Pinching of the sciatic nerve
• Disease of the heart, blood vessels – atherosclerosis, varicose veins.
• Sprain fractures
• Tumors
• Joint pathologies such as arthrosis, gout.
• Diabetes mellitus
• Spinal deformity – kyphosis, scoliosis.

If excruciating pain in the foot develops, you need to go to a specialist to find out the true factor of discomfort.

Types of pain

It is only a specialist who can draw conclusions about why there was a stabbing pain in the heel, as if needles pierced the feet. Such signs are considered an indicator of what kind of ailment is formed, which leads to the factors of its appearance and what method to apply to eliminate it.

Aching pain

Fasciitis is often a factor in the appearance of painful discomfort of a dull aching course. The disease is characterized by the development of an inflammatory process in the ligaments, which control the function of the bones in the foot, their position.

A painful manifestation is capable of tormenting throughout the day without interruption. A similar discomfort is felt in the distal directions to the heads of the metatarsal tissues along the foot.

Unpleasant sensations can occur in persons whose professional activity is associated with endless stay on their feet.Standing for a long period of time in one position leads to inflammation of the ligaments, numbness, like pricking the heels with needles.

Acute pain

If there is pain in the heel, a burning sensation for unknown reasons, you need to go to the doctor. When there is a constant tingling sensation in the heels, the deformation of the foot occurs, which leads to the appearance of other diseases of the legs.

In some pathologies, unbearable pain can occur in the middle of the night, being a factor in insomnia and subsequently plunging a person into a decline in working capacity.The appearance of acute soreness in the heels, colic, as if with needles, is possible with a prolonged stay of the legs in a static state.

Pain in the heel when walking

When the feet are pricked with needles when walking, and in a calm position, the feeling of pain does not appear, then an inflammatory phenomenon is observed in the tendon, often Achilles. In this position, it is necessary to go to the surgeon, since goose bumps, in one place of the heel, can speak of a developing pathology.

In addition, when moving, colic in the heel zone can develop if:

• Too great loads are on the legs during long walks, intensive running.
• The shoes are uncomfortable, with a large heel and an excessively high last.
• Injuries to the heel area – dislocations, fractures.
• Infection of the joint of the secondary, primary course.

Pain in the heel in the morning

Most people, after waking up in the morning, feel as if the heels are pricked with needles.This is due to the compression of the nerve. When a person sleeps, his position is often not physiological and, being in it for several hours, soreness appears. Acute stabbing pain in the heel goes away after a while, when the person woke up, changed the position of the body.

In addition, a heel spur may well be a symptom of numbness in the feet. When the disease develops, a person in the morning or if he is resting, feels how the needles are being introduced into the feet. But dispersed, the pain syndrome subsides. Also, morning heel discomfort is possible in the presence of arthritis.If you massage the foot, it goes away, but with certain physical exertion, the symptom of pain may return.

Pulsating pain

Often, when pulsating pain occurs in the heel area, it can be a manifestation of a bacterial infection. In addition, a similar sign indicates the formation of fasciitis.

Heel pulsation is possible in the presence of injury, impact. Further, if you try to stand on the heel, cutting pain may develop, which indicates serious injury and requires immediate attention to a traumatologist.

Pain during pregnancy and after childbirth

In pregnant women, the presence of such ailment is the norm. Due to a sharp increase in body weight, unprepared feet for excessive loads are not able to cope with them, which leads to pain after starting to walk. Such pain can disappear by itself after the birth of the child.

If during the period of gestation, the stabbing pain seemed to not appear with needles, but after the birth of the baby, it appeared, it means that the nerves in the lumbar region have been damaged.

What kind of doctor is needed

When the blood flow of the vessels is incorrect due to various factors, this induces changes in the activity of the nervous system. Therefore, if the feet are strongly pricked as if with a needle, it is recommended not to postpone the visit to the doctor. He will find the primary source of colic in the sole, prescribe the required treatment, since it is unrealistic to get rid of the problem on his own in the presence of pathology.

The type of painful syndrome in the heel zone will depend on which specialist you should go to.The following physicians are involved in solving problems directly related to painful discomfort in the foot:

• Therapist
• Orthopedist
• Traumatologist
• Neurologist
• Surgeon
• Rheumatologist
• Physiotherapist

… This should be done first of all, since there is a risk of developing a chronic course of the disease or detecting diabetes.

Treatment

Therapy will be recommended to the patient after the factors of itching, burning, colic appear.In order not to aggravate the situation, it is forbidden to resort to self-treatment of the problem.

Drug treatment

The use of certain drugs for colic heels is possible only when prescribed by a specialist. It is important to understand that self-administration of medications can lead to the development of serious consequences.

To eliminate painful discomfort in the heel area, the doctor will write:

• Pills that relieve inflammation
• Medicines that eliminate heat
• Anesthetics, antimicrobial drugs.

Traditional medicine

If the heels have colitis like needles, the feet can be treated with folk remedies. Therapy with alternative medicine prescriptions involves the use of:

• Foot baths
• Infusions
• Creams
• Lotions
• Herbal preparations

Often a bath with the addition of sea salt is used.

It is necessary to dilute a large spoonful of the product in a liter of warm water, lower it into the pelvis of the leg. Treatment
lasts half an hour.After the bath, the feet are wiped with a towel, and a massage is done on the entire leg to improve blood flow.

Since there are a sufficient number of numbness factors, it is important to recognize alarming symptoms in a timely manner and consult a doctor, especially with frequent colic that bring discomfort. Only a specialized doctor is able to find out the reason why the heels colitis as if with needles and prescribe the required treatment.

Heel pain | SHiFA Medical Center

Content

Aching or sharp, with lumbago, pain in the heels is a symptom of diseases of various etiopathology.Discomfort and painful sensations can manifest themselves only in the morning, torment with prolonged walking, and be felt constantly. Why does heel pain occur and how to get rid of it? Can you tolerate it and how can it turn out?

How the pain in the heels is expressed

Heel pain can be expressed in various manifestations:

• swelling, redness, lump, inflammation of the Achilles tendon or talus;
• inflammation of the soft tissues in the area of ​​the calcaneus and subcutaneous bursa;
• pain in the area of ​​the foot on the heel, closer to the arch of the foot, etc.

How common is heel pain

Pain in the heels is one of the main reasons for patients’ complaints to an orthopedist-traumatologist. This state of affairs is due to the high prevalence of symptomatic diseases and the multifactorial nature of the causes.

Overweight people, athletes, representatives of many professions who, by the nature of their service, have to spend 8-12 hours on their feet (hairdressers, turners, movers, salesmen, teachers, etc.) suffer from heel pain.).

Gender prevalence is related to the underlying cause. For example, gouty heel pain occurs mainly in men after 35. Crystalline arthritis caused by endocrine and metabolic disorders occurs in both sexes, predominantly in the elderly. Also, the risk group automatically includes those suffering from diabetes and obesity, regardless of gender and age.

What diseases can be associated with heel pain

Heel pain can be caused by many different external and internal factors.For example, most overweight people are familiar with this symptom because of the heavy load; it is often encountered by those who spend a lot of time on their feet and wear uncomfortable shoes.

Also, pain in the heels can be a symptom of the following inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system, ligamentous apparatus:

1. Plantar fasciitis is a familiar heel spur. It occurs as a result of inflammatory and degenerative pathological changes in the tendons in the area of ​​the calcaneal tuberosity.With increased stress, the aponeurosis becomes inflamed, causing severe pain when walking.
2. Achillitis (ankle tendonitis) – inflammation of the Achilles tendon. It can be caused by flat feet, anatomically irregular shape (curvature, deformation) of the ankle, traumatic injuries, prolonged squeezing with shoes (especially when climbing a mountain). It is manifested by tissue hyperemia, sharp, often unbearable pain.
3. Achilles bursitis – inflammation of the bursa or bursa in the area of ​​the Achilles tendon.It can develop against the background of infectious diseases spreading by the hematogenous route, against the background of arthritis and arthrosis of the foot, systemic diseases of the connective tissues and joints, after injuries.
4. Gout – deposition of uric acid salts due to impaired purine metabolism. Primary or secondary rheumatic disease. Often provokes arthritis, which also manifests itself in the talocalcaneal joint.
5. Calcaneal arthritis – rheumatoid or reactive monoarthritis, polyarthritis, periarthritis.Among the causes of monoarticular lesions of the heel are trauma, some forms of arthropathy, for example, it often appears with chondrocalcinosis. Periatritis of the soft periarticular tissues have a rheumatic etiology, the process can be localized in the joint capsule, fascia, tendons and their membranes, enthesises of the heel joint, causing severe pain in the heel.

Why heel pain cannot be ignored

Heel pain can have a different etiology, but the result in most cases is inflammation of the soft tissues, cartilage of the joint.Due to the fact that the heel constantly has to experience stress when walking, the symptom does not go away without adequate treatment. The disease progresses, causing severe pain, which often becomes unbearable when walking. Therefore, in most cases, therapeutic or surgical treatment is required.

There is also a possibility of benign and malignant neoplasms, which can externally manifest themselves as monoarthritis and other diseases. Therefore, for any inflammatory process, with pain in the heels, it is necessary to undergo an examination and find out the true cause.

Which doctor should you contact if you have heel pain

In case of pain in the heel, it is necessary to make an appointment with an orthopedic traumatologist. Depending on the symptoms and external manifestations, the doctor will prescribe diagnostic procedures for examination. You may need to pass laboratory tests, do CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound. After that, it will be possible to judge the localization and degree of development of the process that provoked pain in the heels.

When this symptom appears, you cannot independently warm the sore spot, apply warming ointments to the heel and make compresses.Any self-medication can aggravate the disease and cause complications.

(throbbing, stitching, burning) overview of all causes

Causes

Pain in the heel is a fairly common occurrence that can occur in any person for various reasons. The cause that caused pain in the heel area can be either a disease or a negative external mechanical effect on this part of the foot. One of the most unpleasant causes of pain in the heel can be a spur, also known as plantar fasciitis or osteophyte.There are a lot of reasons for the development of this disease, here are the main ones:

• Flat feet of any category, leading to constant tension and injuries of the tendons in the area of ​​the foot.
• Physical activity that leads to strong stress on the feet.
• Pregnancy or overweight.
• Consequences of vital functions: injuries, fractures, age-related changes in ligaments and bones.
• Vascular diseases.
• Rheumatism.
• Defeat of nerve endings.

The cause of pain in the heel can be not only plantar fasciitis, but also other diseases: arthritis, swelling, gout or various injuries. If the heel hurts a lot, and you do not know what it may be, then you should consult a doctor who diagnoses the cause of the discomfort.

In no case should you ignore the pain: any disease is easier to cure at the beginning than to deal with complications.

Types of pain

Only a doctor can judge what is the cause of pain in the heel.A certain symptomatology is an indicator of what disease is developing, what causes it and how to deal with the disease. There are many types of pain, we will consider the most common and figure out what this or that type of pain syndrome testifies.

Aching pain

The most common cause of aching pain syndrome is fasciitis. It is characterized by inflammation of the ligaments that control the function of the bones in the foot and their position.This disease often occurs in those who are constantly “on their feet”: people who have decided to work as a surgeon, salesman, hairdresser, waiter. Representatives of these professions stand in one position for a long time, which causes inflammation of the ligaments in the foot.

Another cause of aching heel pain is rapid weight gain or pregnancy. This syndrome can also be triggered by uncomfortable shoes, including wearing models with a platform or heel.

Acute pain

If there is pain and burning in the heel and it is not clear what it might be, you should understand that this is a good reason for visiting a doctor. With constant acute pain, the heel of the foot is deformed, which leads to the occurrence of other diseases of the legs.

If swelling occurs, heparin ointment can be used.

In some pathologies, severe pain in the heel at night causes insomnia, which leads to a decline in a person’s ability to work.Similar pain sensations can occur on both the left and right side of the ankle, heel, or center of the foot. In some cases, other symptoms appear, such as itching, burning, redness, or swelling.

It should also be understood that a burning sensation in the heel is possible a symptom of gout, arthritis and fracture – in case of its unexpected occurrence, you should immediately consult a surgeon.

Pain in the heel when walking

If no pain in the foot occurs at rest or rest, but shoots in the heel when walking, like needle pricks, then this is a symptom of tendon inflammation, most often Achilles.In this case, it is necessary to consult a surgeon for advice – a stabbing pain in the inner part of the heel may be a sign of a developing pathology.

Pain in the heel in the morning

One of the most common diseases in the 21st century is a “spur” walking pain syndrome subsides.

Pulsating pain

Usually this type of pain syndrome is a sign of infection with a bacterial infection.It can also signal the development of plantar fasciitis. The underside of the heel can begin to throb in the event of injury or impact. Then the appearance of a sharp cutting pain when trying to step on the foot is permissible. This indicates a serious injury and the need to see a traumatologist.

Pain during pregnancy

Pain in the heel is considered normal in pregnant women – due to a sharp increase in weight, unprepared feet cannot cope with them, which causes aching pain after starting to walk.You should not be afraid of this type of pain – it disappears after childbirth.

Heel pain after childbirth

It happens that during pregnancy there was no pain syndrome, but immediately after childbirth it arose. The cause of this type of pain is damage to the nerves in the lumbar spine, and if not started on time, it can lead to chronic lameness.

There are many reasons for heel pain after childbirth, first of all, you need to pay attention to the comfort of the shoes and the presence of orthopedic insoles.

Which doctor is needed

The type of pain in the heel on the feet determines which doctor should be consulted. The following doctors deal with problems associated with pain in the heel:

1. Therapist. According to the recommendations, it is best to seek help from a therapist first. He will determine what caused the pain, and which doctor can help solve the problem.
2. Orthopedist and / or traumatologist. If you experience pain in the heel area, you should contact a medical facility.It is better to immediately come to an orthopedic traumatologist for help, who most often deals with the treatment of ailments associated with pain in the heel region.
3. Neurologist. It is necessary to visit for consultation and exclusion of diseases of the nerve endings in the foot.
4. Surgeon. If it is difficult to get to a traumatologist / orthopedist, you can contact a surgeon.
5. Rheumatologist. It is necessary to visit for consultation and exclusion of joint problems.
6. Physiotherapist.

When consulting a doctor, do not hesitate to talk about any unpleasant sensations: numbness, tingling, throbbing or other symptoms.There is a danger of developing chronic diseases or diagnosing diabetes mellitus, so there is no need to hide any sign of the disease from the doctor.

Only if there is a complete picture of the ailment, the doctor will be able to accurately diagnose and prescribe the correct treatment.

Diagnostics

In some cases, in addition to examining a patient, doctors in a medical institution may prescribe certain examinations: blood tests, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound examinations.Having received the assignment sheet, do not put it on the back burner, but immediately begin to undergo research.

One should not think that heel pain is not a serious medical condition. With the wrong and untimely treatment, it can lead to other serious diseases. The process of eliminating pain syndromes can last for several months – therefore, during treatment, you need to be patient and be ready for long and constant procedures. Depending on which disease was diagnosed, the type of treatment is determined.

Treatment

Depending on the type of pain and the diagnosed disease, the type of pain syndrome treatment is also determined.

Drug treatment

The use of drugs is possible only after their appointment by a specialist, self-administration can harm health – you should remember about this.

If no relief has come within a week of taking medication, you must inform your doctor about it.

In pharmacies there is a wide range of medicinal products for the elimination of pain in the heel area of ​​the foot:

• Anti-inflammatory tablets.
• Analgesic antipyretic drugs.
• Anesthetics and antimicrobials.

But not every type of pain syndrome in the heel can be eliminated with medication, so the doctor can prescribe physiotherapy, ointments and compresses using pharmacy medicines.

Electrophoresis, shock wave therapy and other types of physiotherapy are performed using anesthetic or anti-inflammatory drugs. The course of treatment is determined by the attending physician.

Traditional medicine uses anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments to treat most types of heel pain. Each drug works differently. Therefore, only medications prescribed by a doctor should be purchased after diagnosis.

Separately, it is worth highlighting compresses, which, despite their attitude to traditional medicine, are recommended by doctors.

They help to effectively cope with pain sensations and normalize blood circulation in the feet, which is best reflected in the condition of the tissues in the heel and helps in the fight against various types of diseases.

When making a compress, you must strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations, in case of an error, you can get burned.

If mild cramps are felt on the side of the heel, and goosebumps appear on the skin of the leg, this may indicate an overworked leg. As a first aid, it is worth smearing the heel (including the bottom) with a warming ointment or cream with an analgesic effect. Warm baths or compresses can also help. In case of injury, it is worth resorting to a compress with ice or anti-inflammatory ointments.However, it is urgent to see a doctor.

Traditional medicine

With minor pain in case of fatigue of the foot, you can get rid of the ailment that has arisen using folk remedies. Alternative medicine involves the treatment of pain syndromes in the heel area of ​​the foot by means of baths, compresses, tinctures, ointments, herbs and powders.

There are a great many folk remedies for relieving discomfort in the ligaments and muscles of the heel. The following natural remedies are of great help:

1. Compress of ice and lemon juice.
2. Tincture from marsh cinquefoil.
3. Walnut tincture.
4. Black radish compress.
5. Lilac tincture.
6. Knotweed or knotweed.

The greatest effect can be achieved by combining traditional methods of treatment with therapeutic ones.

Traditional methods of treating pain syndrome should be used only to relieve fatigue and a little pain. If pain persists after a few days, consult a doctor to rule out the development of a serious illness. It is possible to use folk remedies in conjunction with traditional methods of treatment, but only after obtaining approval from the attending physician.

Other treatments

In addition to classical traditional and alternative medicine, there are various ways to relieve pain through baths and massages. But in any case, it should be understood that there is no better treatment than treatment in a medical institution – at the same time, it is free and will not lead to complications, as can happen with other methods of getting rid of the pain syndrome.

Foot pain: where does it come from and how to avoid it :: Health :: RBC Style

© Peter Dazeley / Getty

author

Evgeniya Zaitseva

27 August 2020

After summer tourist outings, foot pains may worsen in the fall.They usually receive little attention, and most people are unaware of what problems they might signal. Understanding the issue before the start of the season of uncomfortable office shoes.

The author of the article is Evgenia Zaitseva, an orthopedic surgeon with 20 years of experience in treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system, a full member of the Society of the Order of Italian Physicians.

Causes of pain in the foot

According to the Center for Hygienic Education of the Population of Rospotrebnadzor, among the diseases of the feet, flat feet occupies one of the leading positions [1]. In a healthy foot, the load is distributed between three support points: the back of the heel, the big toe plus the head of the metatarsal bone, and the outer edge of the foot. When the foot is deformed for one reason or another, there is an imbalance in the load, a change in the structure of the osteo-ligamentous apparatus, and as a result, pain occurs, leading to the development of various diseases.

As for people who were not genetically predisposed to flat feet and did not develop it in their youth, noticeable changes begin to occur after 40 years. The body is no longer so resistant to excessive loads, including on the joints, hormonal changes occur, the wear and tear of the osteo-ligamentous apparatus increases, the risk of excess weight gain increases, which adversely affects the feet.

With age, the articular and bone structures cannot fully perform their functions: walking and damping the load.Therefore, the causes of pain in a completely healthy person can be fatigue, prolonged physical activity, improperly selected shoes when playing sports.

Non-mechanical causes of pain in the foot include the presence of the following diseases: metabolic disorder, gout, diabetes mellitus, varicose veins [2] and other vascular diseases, post-traumatic changes (improperly treated subluxation of the legs, etc.).

Let’s look at the main situations associated with pain in the foot:

Burns foot and pads of fingers

Uncomfortable shoes are most likely the cause.The load is not properly distributed, causing the pads under the metatarsal bones to become inflamed and sore. You can relieve symptoms with a relaxing foot bath and light self-massage. But you need to see a doctor for treatment. Most likely, you will hear the diagnosis “Metatarsalgia”.

Joints in the area of ​​the fingertips hurt

This symptom is characteristic of Morton’s neuroma [3]. The unpleasant sensations are associated with irritation of the nerve passing between the heads of the metatarsal bones of the third and fourth fingers.

At the initial stage of the disease, the pain may be mild, later it may be aggravated by a burning sensation, it will begin to “shoot through”, and the foot will be uncomfortable in almost any shoe with a closed nose.

Heel hurts

The most common cause is a bony build-up on the heel, or heel spur. It occurs as a result of inflammation of the plantar fascia [4] due to incorrectly selected shoes and improper load distribution in them. The spur gives pain when the heel is loaded, which is why a person involuntarily throws the load on other parts of the foot, as a result, posture and balance are disturbed.The formation of a heel spur and the appearance of pain in it speaks of a chronic process. It is definitely not worth postponing treatment.

Back of the foot

The cause of the pain is the deformation of the metatarsal bone in the thumb and the development of bursitis. The bone itself does not hurt, the inflamed joint capsule causes unpleasant sensations. Due to the protruding bone, the shoes become tight and chafe, which leads to inflammation.

Fifth metatarsal bone (outer part of the foot)

Pain in this part of the foot indicates the development of varus deformity [5] (fifth metatarsal bone).This is the so-called bump on the foot next to the little finger. The most common cause of the development of this disorder is flat feet, clubfoot or a change in the shape of the legs (“legs with a wheel”). Due to excessive stress on the outer part, the fifth metatarsal flattened.

Pain over the heel (pain in the Achilles tendon)

The Achilles tendon is located where it most often rubs the top of the heel of the shoe. It is because of the frequent friction and excessive pressure that inflammation occurs. For treatment and prevention, it is recommended to choose the right shoes and protect this weak point by raising the heel higher (with an insole, heel pad) so that the Achilles tendon does not experience pressure.

Ankle pain

The ankle has a supporting function. Various subluxations and injuries (including improperly treated ones) can provoke inflammation of both the joint capsule and the ligamentous apparatus.

© Sorrorwoot Chaiyawong / EyeEm / Getty

Interdigital calluses

The main reason for their occurrence is too narrow uncomfortable shoes.It is better not to ignore this problem. You can cover the callus with a plaster, this will prevent mechanical damage to the skin, but the frequent wearing of uncomfortable shoes will entail more serious disorders in the structure of the foot and in the proper functioning of the joints.

Corns

We should be alarmed by corns, because they have a protective function. The body begins to defend itself and develops keratinization, hyperkeratosis occurs – coarsening of the skin of the feet.

Corns and calluses appear in those parts of the foot on which a large load falls.And if now there are no pain manifestations, there is a high risk of earning them. The pressure on the foot should be corrected with orthopedic insoles, which can be worn with both sneakers and fashion shoes.

Treatment of foot pain

The main advice is to be careful about your feet. If you notice corns, calluses, feel tired or burning, the body itself tells you that it needs rest and the load needs to be adjusted. It is also important to respond promptly to pain in the lower leg and knee joints.Often they say that the pressure balance is imbalanced. At least an examination by an orthopedist and the selection of individual insoles will help to return the situation to normal.

Do not sit cross-legged and avoid other non-physiological positions of the legs and feet that disrupt the work of the circulatory system.

In case of weight gain (including during pregnancy) wear orthopedic insoles . The foot is not ready for sudden increases in load, and it literally needs additional support.

Choose footwear for sports activities. It is important to take into account the nature of the activity (running or exercising with equipment), as well as systematically change the sneakers, as the shock absorbers in them wear out over time.

Reduce the time of wearing uncomfortable shoes: with narrow toes, high heels, flat soles. If uncomfortable shoes are a permanent part of your wardrobe, try to reduce the stress by choosing a comfortable pair for the afternoon.

Walk barefoot on sand, grass, ground. This can be called a natural massage of the reflexogenic points of the feet, due to which muscle tone rises and blood circulation improves.

Do self-massage. At the end of the day, you can relieve fatigue and restore blood circulation using self-massage and rolling your feet on a roller (you can use a bottle from available tools).

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90,000 Chronic forefoot pain

What causes pain in the forefoot, what is Morton’s neuroma and how to get rid of chronic pain in the foot, says orthopedic surgeon, podiatrist, traumatologist surgeon Mikhail Ivanovich Alekseev.

Hello. My name is Mikhail Ivanovich Alekseev, I am an orthopedic traumatologist, and in the clinic I deal with the treatment of foot surgery problems. Today I would like to talk with you about chronic pain in the forefoot, or, as it is called, metatarsalgia. What it is? Very often, patients are concerned about pain in the forefoot. What can it be connected with? Pain in the forefoot hotel can occur in different situations.This is a manifestation of transverse flat feet. What it is? To make it clear to you, I will turn to the dummy. This is our stop. A dummy was made of a not entirely healthy foot, it is a sick, deformed foot. But to make it clear to everyone, we have 3 arches of the foot. This is a longitudinal arch, if we look at everything from the side – this is a longitudinal flat feet. This is the lateral arch of the foot, which we have here. And what I was talking about – transverse flat feet – this is a longitudinal arch. That is, if you look at the foot from here, we will have just such an arch.That is, this is the transverse arch, which allows us to move smoothly, and the entire load falls on the 1st and 5th metatarsal bones. And 2,3 and 4 in the process of support are not loaded.

With pathology, our situation changes, the foot takes on a different shape. This is a reverse arch, and instead of an arch directed to the rear, we have an arch directed in this direction. And so we have to walk on the small metatarsal bones. This leads to chronic overload and chronic pain.Chronic pain in the forefoot can occur as a result of the development of nerve pathology, the so-called emerging neuroma. Mortan’s neuroma on the foot – maybe you’ve heard, a lot is being said and written about her now – this is also associated with chronic overload. As a result of chronic overload in our intermetatarsal spaces, this is between the second and third toes, that is, in the metatarsal region, due to chronic overload, there is a rearrangement of the plantar nerve, the common digital.It thickens, in this regard, the scar tissue compresses it, and there is constant pain. The pain is worse when walking in tight shoes, the pain is worse when driving a car. With Morton’s neuroma, the pain has a completely characteristic direction. Patients are primarily concerned about the pain of a burning character that shoots into the fingers.

The pain is so intense that they have to take off their shoes and stand flexing their feet without shoes. Or when you come home, use ice or a cold bath to relieve pain.Pain in the forefoot can also occur with pathology of the lumbosacral spine. Therefore, it often becomes difficult to diagnose yourself on your own. Even by consulting a general practitioner, it can be very difficult to make the correct diagnosis, and, accordingly, choose the right method of treatment. Therefore, if pain occurs in the forefoot, of course, it is better to consult a specialist in foot surgery.

As a result of the survey, what can we identify and what do we use? First, when examining, we put: there is a transverse flatfoot, there is no transverse flatfoot, there are zones of pathological overloads, there are no zones of pathological overloads, and, accordingly, we can refer to additional methods of examination.This is, first of all, X-ray in standard layings and this is an ultrasound examination of the soft tissues of the foot, which allows us to identify any pathological formations, neuromas, tendon ganglion and, accordingly, choose the correct method of treatment.

What treatments do we use in different situations? I will briefly talk about the correction of transverse flat feet. We use, first of all, surgical interventions aimed at removing these metatarsal bones from the overload zone.It undergoes osteotomy in special versions, the bones are lifted upward, it all grows together very quickly and the chronic pain goes away. Morton’s neuroma, which I mentioned above, can be treated both conservatively and promptly. In our clinic, indications for surgery have already been developed based on the results of ultrasound examination. If it reaches a certain size, we simply delete it. The operation takes us no more than 10 minutes. Access is minimal up to 2 cm, under intravenous anesthesia, the neuroma is removed, and after 2-3 hours the patient can safely go home on his own feet.After 2 weeks, as a rule, we remove the stitches, and the recovery period ends there. If the neuroma has not reached a certain size, which is given to us by ultrasound, we use conservative methods of treatment, including the selection of individual insoles, we refer them to specialists who deal with this, we can perform therapeutic blockades. That is, 1-2 blockades can remove all your problems that have been troubling you for many, many months. Therefore, we use surgical intervention only on strict indications.

Very often we can do with just such methods as the selection of individual shoes, individual insoles, which leads to a decrease in pain syndrome or to its complete recovery. If you do not contact a specialist in time, then you and I can get a formidable complication of transverse flat feet as damage to the plantar plate, the development of visible deformities. Deformities of the toes. Many have seen or heard when there are patients with such curvatures, the so-called hammer toe, deformity of the foot.This is a consequence of transverse flat feet, which was not diagnosed in time and, accordingly, not treated in time. Therefore, I want to remind once again that for any pain in the forefoot that occurs against the background of complete health, or arises after an overload, it is better to consult a specialist.