Pain in the heel: How to determine the cause of the problem?

If you feel pain when stepping on the heel, then there is a high probability that you have a plantar fasciitis. Of course, the final diagnosis should be put by the surgeon, he will also prescribe and treat, but you can try and determine the cause of the problem.

If you have spurs on your heels, then the most severe pain will be in the morning, the moment you try to get out of bed after a night's sleep. Over time, they subside or become less noticeable, you seem to be pacing. But if you just sit down for a while - and when you try to get up all the unpleasant sensations will return. Try to click on the arch of the foot and sides of the heel area. If you feel a sharp pain, then, most likely, you have spurs on your heels. That it is - those who have encountered this problem know.

Usually, this disease does not appear externally, except in exceptional cases, there may be a small swelling of surrounding tissues or protrusions. But on the X-ray image, the bone growth, resembling a spike in shape, is seen well. Its length can be from 3 to 12 mm, but this size does not affect the intensity of pain in any way. In addition, the formed salt build-up is not the cause of unpleasant sensations, many people live with it and do not even suspect its existence. The disease can be detected and ultrasound diagnosis: an experienced doctor will easily distinguish inflamed tissues.

Pain when attacking the heel occurs only when there are problems with the plantar fascia. This is due to uneven load on the leg: the ligaments supporting the arch of the foot are constantly strained, over time they lose their elasticity, their length is shortened. In this case, ordinary walking causes the appearance of microtraumas and ruptures of the fascia, which leads to inflammation.

Do not tolerate pain, without adequate treatment, it will not pass itself. If you just started to notice the problem, then you can try preventive methods of struggle: massage, gymnastics, proper footwear and nutrition. But you can not start this disease, in 25% of cases because of it people lose mobility and can not move without crutches.

Feeling pain in the heel when walking, the reasons for which you do not understand, try to see a doctor as soon as possible. If this is really plantar fasciitis, then the expert will tell you about the prevention, pick up the insole or heel pads, give directions to the procedures.

But the pain when attacking the heel can be caused by other reasons. For example, arthritis, bursitis give similar symptoms. But in the case of these diseases, unpleasant sensations increase gradually, the most intense pains are observed in the middle of the day. Problems with legs can also be due to gout, which is accompanied by a violation of the general metabolism, or because of inflammation of the Achilles tendon. In addition, the pain when attacking the heel may indicate a latent flow of sexually transmitted diseases.

That's why if you have unpleasant sensations, you should consult a doctor. Only with the help of special studies can a surgeon or orthopedist accurately diagnose and prescribe adequate treatment.