_edited.jpg)
HEEL PAIN
The Heel is positioned at the rear of the foot, connecting the foot to the ankle.
It is a complex structure consisting of bone, tendons, ligaments and fascia, along with many nerves, arteries and veins.
The bone of the heel is called the calcaneum. It is the largest bone in the foot.
The main tendon of the heel is the Achilles tendon. It is the strongest and thickest tendon of the foot, linking the heel, lower leg and ankle.
The whole heel area is covered in a thick, fibrous fascia called the plantar fascia. This area is the most common area for heel pain, knows as plantar fasciitis.
QUESTION
Is there difference between heel pain in adults and heel pain in children?
ANSWER
In adults pain tends to be worse after resting and eases after a bit of walking.
In children the opposite is true, pain eases after resting and worsens after activity.
WHY DO MY HEELS HURT?
Heel pain is common in adults causing discomfort and disability.
There are many causes of heel pain.
Below is a list of the most common reasons for heel pain
Plantar fasciitis: Your plantar fascia ligaments experience a lot of wear and tear in your daily life. Too much pressure on your feet can damage the ligaments and tendons, resulting in inflammation causing heel pain and stiffness.
Sprains and strains: Sprains and strains are injuries to the body, often resulting from physical activity. These injuries are common and can range from minor to severe, depending on the cause.
Fracture: A fracture is a broken bone. This is diagnosed via an x-ray. Urgent care and immobilisation may be required
Achilles tendonitis occurs when the tendon that attaches the calf muscles to the heel becomes painful or inflamed due to overuse injuries or trauma.
Bursitis: bursae are fluid-filled sacs found about your joints. They surround the areas where tendons, skin, and muscle tissues meet bones.
Reactive arthritis: An infection in the body triggers this is a type of arthritis.
It is important that you seek medical advice for full assessment to obtain correct diagnosis and individualised care plan to prevent long term issues.
Contact us if you are experiencing any foot problems, we would love to help you get back to comfortable feet.