Introduction

Heel pain is a common foot condition.It's usuallyfelt as an intense pain when using the affected heel.

Heel pain usually builds up gradually and gets worse over time. The pain is often severe and occurs when you place weight on your heel.

In most cases, only one heel is affected, although estimates suggest that around athird of people havepain in both heels.

The pain is usually worse first thing in the morning, or when you firsttake a step after a period of inactivity.Walking usually improves the pain,but it often gets worse againafter walking or standing for a long time.

Some people may limp or develop an abnormal walking style as they try to avoid placing weight on the affected heel.

What causes heel pain?

Most cases of heel pain are causedwhen a band of tissue in the foot, known asthe plantar fascia, becomes damaged and thickens.

Plantar fasciitis is the medical term for the thickening of the plantar fascia.

The plantar fascia

The plantar fascia is a tough and flexible band of tissue that runs under the sole of the foot. It connects the heel bone with the bones of the foot, and acts as a kind of shock absorber to the foot.

Sudden damage, or damage that occurs over many months or years, can cause tiny tears (microtears) to develop inside the tissue of the plantar fascia. This can cause the plantar fascia to thicken, resulting in heel pain.

The surrounding tissue and the heel bone can also sometimes become inflamed.

Who gets heel pain?

Heel pain is a common foot condition. An estimated one in 10 people will have at least one episode of heel pain at some point in their life.

People who run or jog regularly, and older adults who are 40-60 years of age, are the two main groups affected by heel pain.

Treating heel pain

There are anumber of treatments that can help relieve heel pain and speed up your recovery. These include:

• resting your heel avoiding walking long distances and standing for long periods
• regular stretching stretching your calf muscles and plantar fascia
• pain relief using an icepack on the affected heel and taking painkillers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• wearing well fitted shoes that support and cushion your feet running shoes are particularly useful
• using supportive devices such as orthoses (rigid supports that are put inside the shoe) or strapping

Around four out of five cases of heel pain resolve within a year. However, having heel pain for this length of time can often be frustrating and painful.

In about one in 20 cases, the above treatments aren't enough and surgery may be needed to release the plantar fascia.

Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight by combining regular exercise with a healthy, balanced diet can be beneficial for your feet.

Wearing appropriate footwear is also important. Ideally, you should wear shoes with a low to moderate heel that supports and cushions your arches and heels. Avoid wearing shoes without heels.

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