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The heel plays a key role in supporting body weight and maintaining balance while moving, and for this reason, it is exposed to constant pressure and various injuries. Pain in this area can be a sign of inflammation, soft tissue damage or structural disorders of the foot and can be seen at any age. The intensity of the pain may increase at certain times such as in the morning, after a long rest or after physical activity. Several factors, including the type of shoes, walking pattern, body weight, and background conditions play a role in causing this problem. Investigating how and why heel pain occurs will help to better understand this condition. In this article from your doctor, we answer the question of what is heel pain and what are its causes.

The cause of heel pain (what causes heel pain?)

The cause of heel pain is usually related to inflammation, repeated pressure or damage to the bony structures and soft tissues of this area, and its severity can vary from mild discomfort to chronic pain. When this problem occurs, many people ask what the heel pain is and are looking for the cause of the heel pain. The most common causes include the following:

• Plantar fasciitis or heel spur: the most common cause of pain caused by too much pressure on the plantar ligament, usually causing pain under the heel, especially when taking the first steps in the morning
• Achilles tendonitis: inflammation of the thick tendon behind the heel that connects the lower leg to the heel bone and causes pain in the back of the heel
Leg strain or sprain: caused by intense physical activity, improper training or insufficient warming up of the muscles
• Stress fracture of heel bone: small bone cracks due to repeated pressure or impact
• Heel bursitis: inflammation of fluid-filled sacs around the heel that causes pain and sometimes swelling

cause of right heel pain

The cause of right heel pain is usually related to excessive pressure, inflammation of plantar tissues or wrong walking pattern, and the difference between right and left side often depends on the movement habits of the person. In many cases, when searching for the cause of heel pain, people find that one foot is under more pressure; For example, while driving, exercising or standing for a long time. The most common causes include plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, Achilles tendonitis, ill-fitting shoes, and being overweight. Also, standing for a long time, running on hard surfaces or hitting the heel directly can cause unilateral pain. If the right heel pain is persistent, severe, or accompanied by swelling and limited movement, a medical examination is necessary for an accurate diagnosis and the initiation of appropriate treatment.

Cause of pain on the heel on the right and left side caused by stretch

Sprains and muscle strain are one of the side effects of excessive physical activity and the cause of heel pain. When you do not warm up your body before physical exercise or do not cool down after the activity; Your foot may be sprained and eventually cause pain in the heel.

cause of heel pain when getting up from sleep (cause of heel pain in the morning and when waking up)

When getting up from sleep or after sitting for a long time, some people have problems, in other words, their legs fall asleep and they are unable to get up, or they cannot put their feet on the ground due to severe heel pain. Also, heel pain after sleeping can be due to tendon pain and inflammation, muscle cramps, heel spurs, or even corns. If a therapeutic solution is not used to reduce its pain, the side effects of corns will make it difficult for a person to walk. This pain may be relieved after a few moments or may continue for hours.

high cholesterol and heel pain

Cholesterol and fat alone cannot be one of the causes of heel pain. One of the symptoms of high cholesterol is increased pain in the heel area. Of course, we must say that if the heel pain is caused by tendon damage, the level of cholesterol has a great effect on it. Achilles is the largest tendon in the body that bears most of the body's weight. High cholesterol causes inflammation in the tendon and as a result will cause pain in the heel area (ankle pain and high cholesterol are also related).

Heel thorn cause of heel pain

Heel spur is one of the most common causes of heel pain caused by constant pressure and tension on the plantar ligament. In this case, calcium deposits form under the heel bone and are usually associated with inflammation of the plantar fascia. Pain from a heel spur is often felt as a sharp pain under the heel and is worse when taking the first steps in the morning or after a long rest. Being overweight, standing for a long time, using inappropriate shoes and high-pressure activities are important factors that aggravate this type of heel pain.

Hagland's deformity causes back-heel pain

Haagland's deformity is an abnormality in the bones and soft tissues of the foot. In fact, the enlargement of the bone in the heel and the Achilles tendon junction causes pain. This is an unknown disease and its cause has not yet been discovered; But factors such as tight shoes and running cause it to be irritated. Haugland's syndrome is a common cause of pain in the back of the foot and pain in the back of the heel.

Heel pain and vitamin deficiency

Some essential vitamins are required for the growth, strength and improvement of the functioning of body parts. The lack of some vitamins necessary for the body can cause heel pain. A very important vitamin is vitamin D, which makes bones strong. The control and use of vitamin D supplement continuously for about a year relieves muscle and bone pain such as pain in the soles of the feet or pain in the heels. On the other hand, lack of vitamin D and heel pain causes decreased bone endurance and osteoporosis. So, if you lack protein, use appropriate multivitamins with the guidance of your doctor.

cause of heel shooting and severe heel pain caused by heel bursitis

Inflammation of the bag filled with synovial fluid around the heel (called deep bursa and superficial bursa), causes heel pain. In fact, bursitis is caused when two burs become inflamed together. Excessive use of the ankle, such as long-term lower body exercises, the sudden start of exercise causes this pain.

What is the cause of pain in the soles of the feet and heels?

Fascia of the sole of the foot, which is caused by excessive pressure on the foot, causes swelling of the foot and causes the heel to stiffen. Excess weight is one of the causes of plantar fascia and the cause of plantar and heel pain. Some have a habit of putting pressure on the right foot when standing, which can cause fascia and cause right heel pain (and vice versa). Plantar fasciitis is not always accompanied by swelling and the pain may not be permanent. This pain is treated with medical methods or traditional medicine.

cause of heel pain and numbness due to a heel fracture

As we mentioned above, a strong blow to the foot may cause the heel bone to break or crack, which in any case causes severe pain. A broken bone requires immediate and quick treatment. Sole fracture is sometimes treated without surgery.

Heel cancer, heel bone pain and heel inflammation

The causes of heel pain are very wide and bone cancer of the foot is one of the causes of heel pain. Osteosarcoma is one of the most common bone cancers that occurs in ligament bones such as the leg bone. There are different types of leg bone cancers and sometimes they are benign and treatable. Pain, swelling, difficulty in walking and excessive fatigue in the left and right heel of men and women are symptoms of bone cancer.

Cause of heel pain while walking in children and adults

Almost all of the above can be the cause of heel pain when walking. Problems such as bursitis, heel spurs, Achilles tendon strain, etc. Another cause of heel pain while walking is choosing inappropriate shoes. Be sure to use special walking shoes to avoid various injuries such as inflammation, swelling, and heel pain.

Sever's disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is one of the causes of heel pain in children and adolescents aged 8 to 14 years. In this disease, the growth of tendons is much faster than the growth of bones and appears as inflammation. Swelling, redness, lameness and incorrect walking are symptoms of this disease. Among the causes of Seur's disease, we can mention the rotation of the ankle to the outside, arch of the foot, flat soles and obesity. This pain will increase with pressure on both sides of the heel.

Achilles tendon inflammation and its rupture causes sudden heel pain

Achilles tendon is between the foot muscle and the heel bone and at the back of the leg. You use it while walking, jumping, standing, and running. This tendon becomes inflamed and painful in case of injury and is one of the causes of heel pain. Ignoring this will cause irreparable damage. Rupture of the Achilles tendon is associated with a lot of sudden pain.

Reactive arthritis of the causes of heel pain

Another cause of heel pain is reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis means causing an infection that is transmitted through sexual contact and contaminated food and will cause pain in the elbows, wrists, ankles, and heels.

cause of back leg muscle pain and leg nerve cramp

Clamping of the leg nerve is another cause of heel pain. Sciatic nerve pain or other nerve pain may spread to different areas of the leg, including the heel. The cause of left heel pain and the cause of knee and heel pain is sometimes for this reason; But in some cases, there are other reasons such as tarsal tunnel syndrome, bruised heel, Haugland syndrome, foot pad atrophy, sinus tarsi syndrome.

English text:
"Most cases of leg cramps can be relieved by exercising the affected muscles. Exercising your legs during the day will often help reduce how often you get cramping episodes. Exercising the legs during the day often helps reduce the frequency of leg cramps."

quoted from nhsinform

Anemia and heel pain

Anemia is not the direct cause of heel pain, but it can indirectly contribute to its occurrence or aggravation. In anemia, especially iron deficiency, the reduction of oxygen supply to muscles and tissues causes fatigue, weakness and increased sensitivity to pain, and this condition can be the cause of heel pain or increase the cause of heel pain. In some people, muscle pains and leg cramps caused by anemia may be felt as heel pain. If heel pain is accompanied by symptoms such as persistent fatigue, pallor, or dizziness, it is important to investigate and treat anemia in addition to evaluating the local cause of the heel.

Heel pain by ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the spine. This inflammation can also spread to your feet. So that the soles of your feet become inflamed and cause pain in the heel. The cause of ankylosing spondylitis is wearing inappropriate shoes, sudden weight change and excessive running.

Heel pain caused by osteochondrosis

Another cause of heel pain is osteochondrosis. In this condition, a piece of bone and cartilage is placed between the heel and the tendon and causes pain (in fact, the bone separates from the cartilage). This disease mostly targets adults; But sometimes it is also seen in children. Swelling, joint weakness, stiffness of joints and inability to move joints are its symptoms.

The cause of heel pain in pregnancy: what is the symptom of heel pain in pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a sensitive and sometimes painful period for women, due to sudden weight gain (or heel pain after delivery), the pressure on the ankle increases and causes right heel pain and left heel pain in women. The best way to reduce pain is basic walking. Another way to relieve foot pain during pregnancy is to stretch and flex the legs.

What is the cause of heel pain in children between 2 and 7 years old?

Maybe you also think that children aged 2 to 7 years or less do not suffer from heel pain! If your child feels pain when touching the heel area or burning soles or sometimes walks on the toe, it should be checked by a pediatrician.

Of course, the causes of heel pain in children are Sor's disease or calcaneal apophysitis. A lot of activity, such as running, long-term rope jumping, playing basketball, etc., can be the cause of heel pain in children between the ages of 8 and 14. To treat this pain, you should see an orthopedic specialist; You can also use an ice water compress. Pregnancy, high cholesterol and lack of vitamins such as vitamin D can also be one of the causes of heel pain.

The cause of heel pain in traditional medicine

In traditional medicine, the cause of heel pain is mostly attributed to the disturbance in the balance of the mixture, the dominance of coldness and wetness, or the accumulation of waste materials in the lower limbs. From this point of view, weak blood circulation and reduction of natural foot temperature can cause pain, dryness or feeling of heaviness in the heel, and many people experience this condition as the cause of heel pain. The most important causes mentioned in traditional medicine are:

• Predominance of phlegm or soda: which can cause chronic pain, dryness or heaviness in the heel
• Coldness of the feet: caused by prolonged exposure to the cold or consuming a lot of cold foods
• accumulation of waste materials: which is caused by the weakness of body excretion in the heel area
• Weakness of leg muscles and joints: as a result of inactivity or standing for a long time

cause of pain in the back of the right heel

The cause of pain behind the right heel is usually related to inflammation or excessive pressure on the structures behind the heel, and the one-sidedness of the pain is often related to the movement pattern, the type of shoe, or the amount of pressure on the dominant foot. When investigating the cause of heel pain, many people find that the right foot is more involved due to driving, exercising, or standing for long periods of time. The most common causes of this pain include the following:

• Achilles tendonitis: the most common cause of heel pain that worsens with activity, walking or climbing stairs
• Bursitis behind the heel: inflammation of fluid-filled sacs around the Achilles tendon that causes pain and sometimes swelling
• Improper shoe pressure: especially tight shoes or heels that put pressure on the back of the heel
• Excessive activity or exercise: running, jumping or exercising without warming up If pain persists or worsens, a medical evaluation is necessary for an accurate diagnosis

What is the symptom of left-heel pain?

Left heel pain is usually a sign of excessive pressure or inflammation of the plantar or back heel structures, and the difference between left and right is often related to the way you walk, the dominant foot, the type of shoes, or daily activities. Many people, when investigating the cause of heel pain, find that one foot is under more pressure, and this causes unilateral pain. The most common symptoms and causes are:

• plantar fasciitis: pain under the heel that is usually worse in the morning or after rest
• Achilles tendonitis: pain behind the heel that worsens with walking or physical activity
• Heel spurs: calcium deposits that can cause chronic pain
• Improper shoes or standing for a long time: increased pressure on the heel of the left foot
  If the pain persists or is severe, a medical examination is recommended

What are the symptoms of heel pain?

Symptoms of heel pain can vary depending on the underlying cause, but it usually presents with discomfort when walking or standing. Many people experience these symptoms when searching for the cause of heel pain. The most common symptoms include the following:

• Pain under or behind the heel: which may be sharp, burning, or dull
• Aggravation of pain in the morning: especially when taking the first steps after waking up
• Increased pain after standing or walking for a long time: especially on hard surfaces
• Pain reduction with gradual movement: which is seen in some causes such as inflammation of the plantar fascia
• Sensitivity or slight swelling of the heel: in the presence of inflammation, in case of persistence or severity of symptoms, a medical examination is necessary for accurate diagnosis

heel pain treatment (what is good for heel pain)

The treatment of heel pain depends on the cause, but in most cases it can be controlled with simple and non-invasive methods, and many people ask what is good for heel pain. The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation, reduce pressure on the heel, and improve foot function. The most effective treatment methods include the following:

• Rest and reduce pressure: avoid long standing and high-pressure activities to reduce inflammation
• stretching movements of the soles of the feet and legs: helping to reduce the stiffness of the fascia and tendons and improve pain
• Using proper shoes and insoles: better distribution of pressure and reduction of direct pressure on the heel
• Cold compress: reduce pain and inflammation especially after activity
• Weight loss in case of overweight: reducing the pressure applied to the heel
  If the pain persists or is severe, it is necessary to see a doctor for a detailed examination and specialized treatment

Home treatment of left and right heel pain

If you want to treat heel pain at home, we recommend that you consult a doctor before proceeding. home treatment for heel pain can be proposed as symptomatic and supportive treatment methods, but they cannot be considered as definitive treatment.

Definitive treatment of heel pain

To definitively treat heel pain, you must know what causes the pain in this area. One of the most important steps in definitive treatment is accurate diagnosis by a doctor. If the heel pain is caused by a fracture, the definitive treatment is to treat the fracture. In cases where the heel pain is caused by a heel spur, surgery and removal of the heel spur helps to definitively improve the pain in this area.

right-heel-pain treatment

The reason why your right heel is experiencing pain plays an essential role in the treatment. It is possible that inflammation of the tendon and damage to the right heel bone is the cause of the pain. In this case, treating the bone damage and removing the inflammation will help to treat the right heel pain.

Heel-pain treatment in the morning

Treatment for morning heel pain usually focuses on reducing inflammation and correcting pressure on the sole of the foot, as this pain is often caused by plantar fascia inflammation and tissue stiffness after a night's rest. Taking simple but consistent actions can significantly reduce the severity of morning pain. Effective treatment methods include the following:

• Stretching movements before getting up: gently stretching the soles of the feet and leg muscles before standing helps to reduce pain
• Using suitable shoes or slippers at home: avoiding walking with bare feet reduces the pressure on the heel
• Cold compress: reducing inflammation and pain in the heel
• Medical insole or heel holder: better distribution of pressure on the foot
• Rest and reduction of high-pressure activities: to prevent the exacerbation of inflammation, medical examination is necessary if the pain persists

The best pain reliever for heel pain and the best pill for heel pain (what pill should we take for heel pain?)

The best pain reliever and pill for heel pain depends on the severity of the pain and its cause, and the wrong choice of medicine can hide the symptoms of underlying diseases. Many people ask what pill to take for heel pain, while drug therapy usually complements corrective measures. The most common options include:

• Muscle relaxants or antispasmodic drugs: in case of pain accompanied by muscle cramps, only with the doctor's prescription. In case of severe, chronic or recurring pain, drug use should be done under the doctor's supervision and together with non-drug treatments
• Acetaminophen: a safer option for mild to moderate pain that does not have an anti-inflammatory effect
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: such as ibuprofen or naproxen, which help reduce pain and inflammation and should be used with caution
• Topical anti-inflammatory ointments or gels: to reduce local pain with fewer complications

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best ointment for heel pain

To treat heel pain, you can use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments such as diclofenac ointment or gel. Lidocaine pain reliever cream can be suitable. These ointments reduce inflammation and temporarily relieve your pain, but they cannot be considered as definitive and permanent treatment.

Is heel pain dangerous?

Heel pain is not dangerous in most cases and is usually caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, heel spurs, or excessive pressure from standing for long periods of time and wearing inappropriate shoes. However, if the pain is severe, persistent, or increasing, it could be a sign of a more serious problem and require medical attention. Heel pain is considered worrisome when it is accompanied by symptoms such as severe swelling, redness, numbness, night pain, inability to walk, or a history of severe trauma. Also, if the pain doesn't improve with rest or gets progressively worse, it may be related to problems such as a stress fracture, infection, or severe tendonitis. In this situation, timely diagnosis and treatment is very important

Which doctor should we see for heel pain?

For more information about heel pain, you can make an appointment with the best orthopedic doctor in Iran.
Next, you can see a list of the most prominent orthopedic doctors in different cities of Iran.

• Tehran orthopedic doctor
• Zanhan orthopedic doctor

Orthopedic doctor specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to heel pain, and you can make an appointment as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Heel pain is a multifactorial symptom that can originate from simple everyday pressures to complex structural or inflammatory disorders. The difference in the exact location of the pain, the time of occurrence and its intensity shows that various underlying causes are involved in creating this problem. Some are transient and lifestyle-related, while others can indicate chronic problems or more serious injuries. Paying attention to the pattern of pain and accompanying conditions helps to make a more accurate diagnosis and enables the distinction between mild conditions and cases that require medical examination.

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Top doctors: Dr. Iman Ghomashi – Dr. Masoud Saberi – Dr. Moghtadaei Orthopedist – Dr. Mohammadreza Ebrahimiyan – Dr. Mahmoud Fattahi Bafghi – Dr. Hossein Pirmohammadi