Heel is a padded cushion of fatty tissue around the heel bone (the calcaneus) that holds its shape despite the pressure of body weight and movement. It works as a protector of the structure of the foot that includes calcaneus, muscles, and ligaments.
Heel pain is a very common foot complaint. This pain usually occurs under the heel or just behind it, where the Achilles tendon connects to the heel bone. Moreover, sometimes it affects the side heel too.
Pain that occurs under the heel is known as plantar fasciitis. This is the most common cause of heel pain.
Pain behind the heel is Achilles tendinitis. Pain can also affect the inner or outer side of the heel and foot.
However, in most cases, this pain is not caused by an injury. In the beginning, it is usually mild, but it can become severe with time. This pain usually disappears without treatment but sometimes it can persist for a longer time and can become chronic.
Some of the common causes of heel pain include arthritis, infection, an autoimmune problem, trauma, or a neurological problem.
In an exclusive interaction with HealthWire, Dr. Umesh Shetty – Sr. Orthopedic Surgeon & Director, AXIS Hospital, Mumbai, has explained heel pain, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.
“Heel pain is a common pain among both males and females. This pain is seen mostly in the elderly, aged above 35- the 40s. The pais is generally caused due to weight or can be due to any injury. Disease like diabetes or auto-immune conditions, major arthritis may also cause heel pain,” Dr. Umesh Shetty explained.
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