Heel Pain

Heel pain is discomfort in one or both heels and occurs when the bones, muscles, or other soft tissues of the heel are inflamed or damaged.

Causes
Factors that can cause heel pain:

• Achilles tendinitis, which is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon that runs down the back of the heel
• a bruise from hitting the heel against a hard object
• gout, which is a disease that causes painful joints
• inflammatory bursitis, which is a condition caused by the tendon rubbing on the back of a shoe
• medial calcaneal neuroma, a condition in which the nerve on the inside and bottom of the heel becomes irritated and enlarged
• a misshapen heel bone
• plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the sole of the foot
• rheumatoid arthritis, a severe form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, inflammation, and, sometimes, destruction of the joints
• Reiter's syndrome, a type of arthritis that causes pain, swelling and redness in the joints

Treatment
Treatment begins by protecting the affected area from further irritation. Other measures used to treat heel pain include the following:

• anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin
• ice packs
• physiotherapy
• proper-fitting footwear
• Electrotherapy
• Massage
• Acupuncture

For more information please call 020 8455 7809 or email us on info@igophysio.co.uk

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