Your heel can handle a walk, but too much stress can be problematic. You might experience pain in your heel when you walk for a long distance, and the symptoms can worsen if you continue your activities. If you experience heel pain, you must limit your activity and seek medical help from experts like the Flex Foot and Ankle PLLC specialists. The key to your treatment is unearthing the reason for your symptoms to understand the best way to address them. Repetitive stress is the main contributor to heel pain. The five most common causes of pain in your heel are outlined herein.

Plantar Fasciitis

Most cases of heel pain are due to plantar fasciitis. It occurs when the ligament running from your heel bone to the tip of your foot (plantar fascia) is stretched too far. The fibers to the fascia become inflamed, causing pain where the ligament connects to the heel bone. But you can experience pain in the middle of your foot as well. This condition is more common in active adults between the age of 40-70, especially if they are athletes or their jobs involves being on their feet for long periods. Pregnant women are also at risk of plantar fasciitis due to the extra weight that can add stress to the ligament.

Heel Bursitis

The bone, muscles, and ligaments on your heel are cushioned by a fibrous sac filled with fluid called a bursa. Heel bursitis is the inflammatory condition that attacks the bursa due to repeated irritation, especially when you land hard on the heels of too much pressure on the heel contributed by footwear. You can experience pain at the back of your heel or deep inside it, and sometimes your Achilles tendon can swell. The pain can worsen over time as the day goes on, especially if you continue your activities.

Achilles Tendinitis

Your calf muscles are connected to your heel bone by a band of tissue called the Achilles tendon. You can develop Achilles tendinitis due to overuse, especially if you are a runner and increasing your intensity or workout duration. When the Achilles tendon is stretched beyond its normal range, it will develop minor tears, and it can weaken, thicken, and become painful to the back of your heel. You may also experience a limited range of motion.

Heel Spurs

Heel spurs are the calcium deposits caused by plantar fascia stretching, muscle and ligament straining, or repeated heel bone membrane tearing. This causes a bony protrusion on the underside of your heel bone. This is more common with athletes involved in jumping or running. You can find relief through the icing, rest, wearing a brace, or wearing shoes with a built-up heel.

Saver’s Disease

Most children athletes experience pain in their heels due to Saver’s disease. The condition is triggered during a growth spurt by microtraumas to the heel. Girls at the age of 8-13 and boys at the age of 10-15 are mostly affected. The condition makes the heel bone grow faster than the ligaments causing the tendons and muscles to become overstretched and tight. The primary treatments for this condition are physical therapy, icing, and taking a break from sports.

If you are suffering from heel pain, a solution is available. Get in touch with your foot and ankle specialist for more information and an accurate diagnosis. The treatment is straightforward once the underlying cause is well understood.