heel joint

Pain in the heel joint is an inflammatory condition. A heel spur results from a sprain or long-term injury to the plantar fascia of the heel bone. This is usually the result of prolonged standing, flat feet, or damage to the bony structures of the foot. The fascia becomes inflamed and causes a bony protrusion. This in turn leads to constant traumatization of the fascia. This vicious circle leads to pain not only when walking, but also when resting.

Heel pain: walking in the navel

heel pain when walking – a frequent companion of modern man, especially if he spends a lot of time on his feet for work reasons. Heel pain can be due not only to fatigue, but also to soft tissue contusion caused by uncomfortable heels or direct trauma. More common, however, are weeks-long symptoms that indicate an illness. Most patients manage to ignore the occurrence of diseases in the sole area: workload, uncomfortable shoes, varicose veins and age-related changes are blamed for heel pain in the toes. However, frequent, daily, let alone acute, pain that worsens over time is a sure sign of a condition that can affect tendons, articular cartilage, and bones in the heel area. Pay special attention to severe heel pain that begins in the morning after waking up and taking a short walk. If you didn't climb any mountains yesterday and had a normal day and your feet are 'buzzing' - read this article to find out how to treat heel pain as it occurs.

Heel pain often affects people with an active lifestyle

• injuries;
• poor circulation in the feet (often accompanied by thickening of the skin) ihypovitaminosis (common symptom is cracked skin on the heels and dry calluses)
• Bone and tendon diseases (heel epicondylitis, achillobursitis);
• diseases of the spine (especially lumbosacral);
• metabolic disorders Diseases (osteoporosis, gout, diabetes and other metabolic diseases)
• fungal diseases;
• infectious diseases (including tuberculosis).

More harmless factors can also be the cause of heel pain - such as rapid weight loss, which sometimes causes the 'fat pad' of the heel to disappear.

Diagnosis of heel pain

Diagnosis and determination of the cause of heel pain is carried out by an orthopedist or rheumatologist, and may also require consultation with other relevant specialists (neurologist, oncologist, infectious disease specialist).

Diagnosis begins with an oral interview of the patient about the specifics of the heel pain, a medical history, palpation, and motor tests. Based on the first observations, the doctor issues further referrals.

Confirmation or refutation of existing hypotheses on heel pain when it occurs:

• general and biochemical blood tests, tests for tumor markers and rheumatic factors;
• microbiological and bacteriological studies (synovial fluid, sputum, etc.).
• determination of blood sugar level;
• X-ray of the affected limb;
• Puncture biopsy (if bone tuberculosis is suspected);
• Ultrasound (for bone lesions, vessels, etc.);
• MRI or CT scan;
• electroneuromyography.

Why the heel can hurt when walking

The causes of heel pain when walking can range from a mundane dry callus to a more serious condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis. Foot problems can be caused by tuberculosis, osteoarthritis, epicondylitis, periostitis, chondropathies and tibial nerve neuropathies. If the pain occurs more than 2-3 times a week, then with a high probability this indicates a developing pathology.

Atrophy of the subcutaneous fat pad in the heel

Atrophy, ie a reduction in the subcutaneous fat pad in the heel, can be observed with drastic weight loss. Because this fabric has a cushioning function, it causes discomfort when the foot is supported. Atrophy often develops with a sudden increase in physical exertion, such as occurs during intense athletic training or long-distance walking.

achilles

Achilles tendonitis is caused by excessive and prolonged strain and wearing tight, high-heeled shoes. The main symptom of Achilles tendonitis is pain in the heel area, which increases with movement. Inflammation of the tendon is also evidenced by swelling and swelling of the skin.

If the person does not consult a doctor, a sudden drop in immunity can lead to the development of a purulent process. In this case, you can no longer move even in closed rooms. In the acute course of the inflammatory process, tendon fibers can be severed.

bursitis

Bursitis is an inflammation of a bursa on the foot, which is usually located in the Achilles tendon and heel bone area. Inflammation arises from microtrauma (such as tears or punctures), excessive exertion, congenital abnormalities, recurrent arthritis, endocrine or metabolic disorders. The acute, jerking pain occurs when pathogens, usually staphylococci, have entered the heel. This is accompanied by swelling, reddening of the skin and an increase in local body temperature.

Principles of Diagnosis

Even 'neglected' joint problems can be treated at home! Just remember to swab once a day.

Due to the multiple causes of heel pain, the initial diagnosis is rarely made on the basis of the patient's complaints and physical examination. General blood tests are done to check for anemia or leukocytosis. Biochemical tests can help rule out or confirm autoimmune diseases. In addition, the following instrumental studies are carried out:

• Radiographs of the ankle and foot bones in two projections;
• spiral computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging;
• Osteoscintigraphy - radionuclide diagnostics with contrast medium;
• X-rays of the chest and abdominal cavity;
• Densitometry to rule out bone resorption.

If cancer is suspected, tests for oncomarkers - specific substances that are products of tumor activity - are indicated. The species of infectious agents and their susceptibility to antibiotics are determined by growing bacteria in biological sample media.

Treatment of heel pain

The treatment plan for hindfoot pain depends on the type of process that caused the negative sensation. With drug treatment, patients are prescribed several types of treatments aimed at reducing pain and restoring functional activity:

types of treatment	Description
Anti-inflammatory therapy	The drug treatment plan includes nonsteroidal and hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, NSAIDs, glucocorticosteroids), massage therapy and physical therapy.
normalization of blood flow	With vascular disorders, drugs are prescribed to restore microcirculation and capillary resistance (angioprotectors, anticoagulants, ganglion blockers).
restoration of nerve conductivity	Symptomatic treatment (antidepressants, anticonvulsants).

B vitamins are used as adjuvant drugs, and immunomodulatory agents are used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Pain that prevents it from occurring can be treated surgically. Surgical intervention is performed for complex pathologies caused by traumatic or degenerative changes in the tissues of the heel. Surgical treatment is used for fractures, Achilles tendon tears, plantar fasciitis, and for the removal of articular cartilage.

physical therapy

The supportive treatment consists of physiotherapeutic treatments (electrophoresis, laser therapy, shock wave therapy) and physical therapy. Patients with degenerative-dystrophic changes in the heel joints need to engage in physical activity. It is advisable to delay or limit strenuous physical activity to minimize the effects of the injury.

stages of arthritis

Osteoarthritis in the different parts of the foot has 4 stages:

• I – stiffness, discomfort after long walking, changes in the composition of the synovial fluid, which are incidentally detected during instrumental examination
• II – redness, swelling, local hyperthermia, severe pain, gait disturbance
• III - persistent pain, deformation of the joint
• IV - permanent loss of function

diagnosis

A team of diagnostic tests is used to identify and clarify the location and type of inflammation:

• physical examination
• X-ray examination of the foot
• Ultrasound examination of the joint
• MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
• Blood test in the laboratory
• arthroscopy
• puncture of the joint

Magnetic resonance imaging is the most informative, safest and most legible method to show the condition of all parts of the joint and the surrounding tissue. With MRI, it is possible to diagnose the cause of pain and inflammation without additional trauma procedures.

Causes of synovitis in the foot

• Excessive stress on the feet
• long-term micro-injuries
• Foot disorders (flatfoot, valgus deformity, clubfoot, plantar fasciitis)
• Redistribution of stress due to poor posture
• deforming arthrosis
• Metabolic disorders (gout)

Tight, uncomfortable, high-heeled shoes, excessive exercise, poor technique, etc. can trigger the inflammatory process.

Symptoms of synovitis

The main symptoms are pronounced pain, redness, swelling and fluctuations (plasticity and mobility) of the soft tissues in the affected area. Synovitis of the bursa of the big toe is often associated with abnormal deformation of the metatarsophalangeal joint. In Achilles tendon bursitis, palpation reveals a localized area of pain on the posterior surface of the tibia in front of the attachment of the Achilles tendon. The pain increases when trying to stand on tiptoe and in the first few minutes after sitting up after sleeping. Posterior heel bursitis is characterized by a throbbing pain in the heel that worsens on contact with hard surfaces and after removing footwear. The inflammatory process most often develops against the background of plantar fasciitis or heel spurs.

Most inflammation of the synovial capsule of the foot is aseptic in nature. However, if a bacterial flora invades the affected bursa, abscess formation can occur. Purulent synovitis of the bursa of the big toe or ankle capsule is manifested by severe pain, local and general increase in body temperature and other symptoms of general intoxication.

Causes of heel pain

Prolonged and strenuous exercise can cause the problem. Such an uncomfortable feeling in the foot area is quite common in people with flat feet or in professional sports. Women who suffer from this problem should analyze whether the heels of their favorite shoes are too high. If the heels hurt, the cause can also lie in diseases that cannot be treated at home:

• plantar fasciitis;
• reactive or psoriatic arthritis;
• bunions;
• heel spur;
• Achilles tendinitis;
• Bechterew's disease;
• Gout.

Sometimes the pain can be caused by an underlying infection. Gonorrhea or chlamydia, for example, are often the cause. This inflammation causes persistent pain that worsens at rest and during sleep.

diagnosis

If you feel discomfort in your feet, you should pay attention and consult a specialist. After diagnosis, the doctor will tell you why your heels hurt and how to treat them effectively. The following procedures are prescribed to a patient with this symptom:

Basic methods of diagnosing heel pain

diagnostic technique	Time
General blood test.	10 mins
blood glucose test	10 mins
X-ray of the feet	20 minutes
Magnetic resonance imaging of the foot	20 minutes

Only after receiving and carefully examining all the data, the doctor can answer why the person has heel pain and how to treat the problem. The treatment plan is created individually for each patient. His age, state of health and physiological characteristics are taken into account.

Which doctor treats heel pain?

This symptom should be a reason to urgently consult a doctor. In the case of severe heel pain, the cause of which is unknown, home treatment is strictly prohibited. In the first place, the following specialists should be consulted to determine the cause of the symptom:

Our specialists

The prices shown on this page are not a public offer. Please call 8 (495) 255-37-37 to clarify the cost of services and to schedule an appointment with a doctor.

Causes of heel pain

Experts assume that there are several factors that can lead to problems in the foot area. They are often caused by accidental foot injuries or ill-fitting footwear. If the heel pain does not have a traumatic cause, the treatment should depend on the nature of the pathology. This symptom can be caused by:

• Arthritis.
• fascial inflammation.
• Achilles tendinitis.
• Infectious arthritis.
• Gout.
• Osteochondrosis of the spine.
• Osteoporosis.

diagnosis

When a patient experiences heel pain, the cause must be determined and treatment recommended. For this purpose, the doctor carries out an examination, after which he z. B. can cause laboratory and instrumental investigations:

Basic methods of diagnosing heel pain

How is the diagnosis made?	Time
X-ray of the ankle	10 mins
Ultrasound examination of the ankle	30 minutes
morphology of the blood	10 mins
MRI scan of the ankle	30 minutes
electromyography	300 minutes

Etiology of osteoarthritis of the ankle

1. Primary. It occurs as a result of metabolic disorders in the cartilage tissue and is associated with a dysfunction of the most important cartilage cells.
2. Secondary. Caused by abnormal development of joint and bone tissues, trauma, metabolic, endocrine and other factors, as well as diseases that damage articular cartilage.

When to treat foot osteoarthritis: risk factors

1. genetic predisposition.
2. Congenital (advanced age, obesity, inflammatory and other bone diseases, joint surgery, constant exposure to cold, unhealthy diet)
3. Extrinsic (overload, trauma, sprains, intra-articular fractures, wearing tight, high-heeled shoes).

Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the foot

The symptoms of the disease are different. Depending on the stage of the disease, the severity varies from mild pain when standing for a long time to limping of the toes and significant changes in gait.

The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis in the feet

1. Crunching or creaking when you move (crepitations).
2. swelling and redness of the skin where the discomfort occurs;
3. Pain on movement that decreases in intensity at rest.
4. Meteoarthritis: Dull joint pain when the weather changes.
5. Deformation of the ankles, enlargement of the joints.
6. Change in the gait pattern due to the patient's natural tendency to relieve the affected joints.
7. Elevated fever.
8. Deterioration of function, increasing fatigue and formation of the characteristic blisters.
9. In advanced disease, there is considerable joint deformation, which is already noticeable when examining the leg.

If you experience the above symptoms, we recommend that you visit your doctor for an examination and appropriate treatment for osteoarthritis of the foot or heel.

How the disease manifests itself

Patients often ask their doctor if the heel hurts when they have osteoarthritis. Pain is the main symptom of the disease. Initially, the pain only occurs when running, walking or standing for a long time, but as the disease progresses it also occurs when the patient is at rest. Patients with heel osteoarthritis also suffer from other symptoms:

• restricted movement in the joint;
• A cracking heel when walking, especially on uneven ground
• appearance of thickening in the foot;
• the formation of growths on the foot.

In the acute course of the disease, there is often an increase in body temperature, rapid fatigue and listlessness. Headaches and other symptoms of intoxication may occur.

How to make a diagnosis

In order to make a correct diagnosis and choose an effective treatment, if heel osteoarthritis is suspected, the doctor first examines the patient, explains the symptoms and complaints. The doctor then recommends a comprehensive examination. X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound scans, and laboratory tests are prescribed for diagnosis. Based on the examination results, the doctor can determine the cause of the heel arthritis, which allows for effective treatment.

The treatment program depends on the stage of the disease, symptoms, and other factors. Treatment of heel arthritis in stages 1 and 2 is conservative. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain and other symptoms. If the pain is severe, a block treatment is carried out. To restore joint tissue, chondroprotectors are prescribed. Orthopedic footwear is also required to minimize stress on the feet when walking and standing.

Magnetic therapy, phonophoresis, laser therapy and other physiotherapeutic treatments are used after a period of exacerbation. Therapeutic massage, manual techniques, and joint stretching with special equipment can speed recovery. Ozone therapy, reflexology and plasma therapy can also be part of the treatment program. An exercise program can also be selected during the rehabilitation phase.

If conservative therapy does not bring the desired result, and the disease continues to progress, the doctors at the clinic recommend surgical treatment. The most common procedure is endoprosthetics, ie the replacement of the damaged joint with an artificial joint. The operation is followed by a long rehabilitation period during which the limb's ability to function is gradually restored.

Read more:

• Structure of the human heel.
• Structure of the heel.
• bones in the heel.
• Heel bone human anatomy photo and description.
• Tear of the foot fascia.
• is to stand on one's heels.
• If your soles and heels hurt.
• How to cure plantar fasciitis forum.