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Health advice on heel pain

I am suffering from 'heel pain' in left leg for the last two months. Pl. advice
(27 Sep 2007)

Pain in the heels is a very common type of foot pain that occurs in adults. Daily physical activity and exercise can cause this condition. The bone of the heel is called the calcaneus and is the biggest bone in the foot.

When we walk, the first part to make contact with the ground is the heel. Heel pain is associated with 2 structures on the sole of the foot called the plantar fascia and the flexor digitorum brevis. The plantar fascia is a connecting strip of fibrous tissue and the flexor digitorum is a muscle which provides support to the arch of the foot and allows for movement of the smaller four toes. The foot takes the weight of the whole weight when we walk. There is a joint locking mechanism of the arch of the foot which provides most of the stability for walking. The rest is provided by the plantar fascia along with the tendons, muscles and ligaments.

Abnormalities in posture and gait can result in inflammation in the above mentioned structures that are connected to the heel bone. This results in heel pain and inflammation. The inflammation occurring in the plantar fasciitis is the most frequently occurring type of heel pain that develops in adults. Post-static dyskinesia is a condition in which increased pain occurs after a period of rest. This is the type of pain that occurs when the plantar fasciitis becomes inflamed. In some cases, a new bone growth occurs due to tension and strain of the muscles. This leads to the development of a bone spur in the heel that causes pain and irritation of the nerves.

Heel pain can take a long time to heal and during this time it is important to avoid activities such as exercise and standing for prolonged periods of time which can aggravate the condition. Applying an ice compress to the affected heel will help to reduce pain and tenderness. It is also essential to wear the proper footwear that allows the heel area enough space and comfort. Whenever there is pain or pressure felt on the heel, you need to give it rest. The heel can also be massaged using foot rollers or with the help of a jar filled with ice cubes. Muscle stretches in the calf and heel area work well to alleviate strain and tension in the affected areas. When you exercise, you need to ensure that you are wearing appropriate shoes and also the surface on which you are exercising is a non-resilient concrete surface.

answered by M W on 11 Mar 2010, 4:52:16

Health advice on heel pain

Massage your heel with ice cubes to get relief from the pain. You can do this for as long as the pain remains.
Wear comfortable footwear and avoid standing for too long as it will put pressure on your heel. You can tape your heel before wearing shoes so that ease the pressure on the heels.
If you are overweight try losing a few pounds so that your heels carry less weight
You can soak your heels alternatively in hot and cold water twice a day.
Do some stretching exercises to reduce the pain. Roll your arch over a cold can of juice or beer to loosen the tense tissues.
Put your feet up when at home for as long as you can manage.
As much as possible, wear flat shoes or slippers.
Do not sit or lie down with your feet crossed over each other.
Curl and uncurl your toes and flex your feet to ease the pain.
Bicycling slowly and swimming can relax the muscles and help in decreasing the pain.
After the pain subsides a little, take a stroll or walk for a while around the house. As far as possible, do not go for long walks, climb steep stairs or run for long distances.

answered by D D on 24 Jan 2008, 5:03:07

Health advice on heel pain

I am suffering from 'heel pain' in left leg for the last two months. Pl. advice (27 Sep 2007)

I am suffering from 'heel pain' in left leg for the last two months. Pl. advice
(27 Sep 2007)