Heel Pain:

If you’re experiencing discomfort under your heel, several conditions may be at play:

Plantar fasciitis:

One of the primary culprits behind heel pain is plantar fasciitis, which stems from inflammation of the band of tissue linking the heel bone to the toes. This pain is often felt in the heel or arch and is typically most severe in the morning, especially with the first step out of bed. Contributing factors may include high levels of physical activity, prolonged standing on hard surfaces, faulty foot mechanics like flat feet, tight calf muscles, increased weight, and improper footwear. While commonly seen in distance runners, plantar fasciitis is prevalent in the general population as well.

Heel spur:

Prolonged plantar fasciitis may lead to the formation of a heel spur (calcium deposit) where the fascia band connects to the heel bone. Although a heel spur may not necessarily cause pain and usually does not require surgical intervention.

Stone bruise:

Stepping on a hard object such as a rock or stone can bruise the fat pad beneath your heel. This may or may not result in discoloration, and the pain typically subsides gradually with rest.

Pain Behind the Heel:

Discomfort behind the heel may indicate inflammation where the Achilles tendon meets the heel bone. This can result from excessive running or wearing shoes that excessively rub against the heel, leading to gradual onset pain, thickening of the skin, redness, and swelling.

Retrocalcaneal bursitis:

This condition arises when the bursa at the back of the ankle, by the heel, becomes inflamed due to repetitive or excessive ankle use.

Achilles Tendonitis:

Achilles tendonitis occurs when the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed due to overuse, commonly affecting runners and athletes below 35 years of age. Symptoms include pain along the tendon’s length, difficulty walking or running, tenderness, swelling, and difficulty standing on tiptoes.

Ankle Pain:

The causes of ankle pain can generally be categorized into two main types: pain beneath the heel and pain behind the heel.

Ankle Sprains:

These occur when the ligaments surrounding and connecting the leg bones to the foot are stretched or torn due to an awkward twist or turn of the ankle.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA):

RA is a chronic joint disease that results in pain, swelling, inflammation, and loss of function, with about 90% of patients experiencing ankle joint involvement.

Gout:

This form of arthritis develops when excess uric acid forms needle-shaped crystals in the joints, leading to sudden, excruciating pain and swelling, with the ankles being a common site of involvement.

Prevention of Heel & Ankle Pain:

To prevent heel and ankle pain, consider the following:

• Proper warm-up before physical activity
• Maintaining an ideal body weight
• Wearing supportive footwear

Treatment:

Various treatment modalities are available to alleviate heel and ankle pain and expedite recovery, including:

• Rest
• Hot and cold fomentation
• Regular stretching
• Proper footwear
• Medication
• Braces and supportive devices
• Interventional techniques such as intralesional injections
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
• Growth Factor Concentrate (GFC)

These procedures offer safe, effective pain relief, promote healing, and typically involve no surgery, with a quick recovery period.