Common Causes of Heel Pain at the Back

Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis occurs when the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, becomes inflamed due to overuse or injury. This condition is commonly seen in athletes, runners, or people who engage in repetitive activities that strain the tendon.

Haglund’s Deformity

Haglund’s deformity is a bony bump that forms on the back of the heel, causing irritation and inflammation in the surrounding soft tissues. It can develop due to wearing tight or stiff shoes that rub against the heel, leading to pain.

Bursitis

Bursitis refers to the inflammation of the small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the joints. In the case of heel pain, the retrocalcaneal bursa, located between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone, can become inflamed, leading to pain and swelling at the back of the heel.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is a condition that affects growing children and adolescents. It occurs when the growth plate at the back of the heel becomes irritated, usually due to overuse during activities like running or jumping.

Injuries or Trauma

Any direct injury to the heel, such as a fall or an impact, can cause heel pain. Stress fractures or microtears in the Achilles tendon can also result in discomfort and pain at the back of the heel.

Treatment Options for Heel Pain

Rest and Ice

Resting the affected foot is one of the most important steps in healing. Applying ice to the painful area for 15-20 minutes several times a day can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.

Footwear Modification

Wearing properly fitting shoes with good cushioning and support can reduce pressure on the back of the heel. If your heel pain is due to Haglund’s deformity or Achilles tendinitis, avoid wearing shoes with stiff backs that rub against the heel.

Stretching and Strengthening Exercises

Gentle stretching of the Achilles tendon and calf muscles can help reduce tension and improve flexibility. Strengthening exercises can also prevent future injuries by stabilizing the muscles around the ankle.

Orthotic Devices

Custom orthotics or heel lifts can provide extra support and cushioning, reducing the strain on the Achilles tendon and relieving pressure on the heel.

Physical Therapy

A physical therapist can design a personalized rehabilitation program to strengthen the muscles and tendons around the ankle. This can improve flexibility and promote healing.

Medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain in mild to moderate cases of heel pain.

Corticosteroid Injections

In some cases, your doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce severe inflammation and pain, especially if conservative treatments have not been effective.

Surgical Options

If conservative treatments fail to provide relief, surgical options may be considered. Surgery is typically used to repair damaged tissues, remove excess bone (in the case of Haglund’s deformity), or address chronic conditions like Achilles tendinitis.

When to See a Specialist

If you’ve tried home treatments and still experience persistent heel pain, it may be time to consult with a heel pain surgeon. Seeking professional help is crucial if:

• The pain doesn’t improve with rest and medications.
• You experience swelling, stiffness, or difficulty walking.
• The pain worsens with physical activity.

A specialist can provide a thorough diagnosis and recommend advanced treatments that are tailored to your specific condition.

Finding the Best Doctor For Heel Pain Treatment

Don’t let heel pain limit your mobility. Consult Dr. Chetan Oswal at Orthowin Clinic, Pune for the expert care you need. Dr.Chetan Oswal has extensive experience in treating various foot and ankle conditions, including chronic heel pain. His expertise in surgical and non-surgical treatments makes him a trusted choice for patients dealing with heel pain.

The post Why Does the Back of My Heel Hurt? Causes and Solutions appeared first on Pune Foot Ankle.

कधी कधी अचानक जास्त चालल्याने किंवा उभे राहिल्याने या उतीमध्ये सूज येते. चालताना, उभे राहताना त्रास होतो. सूज कमी झाली की वेदना कमी होतात. पण, जर  सतत उभे राहिल्याने  हा त्रास वारंवार उद्भवत असेल तर डॉक्टरांना दाखवणे गरजेचे असते.

टाचदुखीची कारणे आणि उपचार (Heel Pain Causes and Treatment in Marathi):-

1. खूप जास्त काळापर्यंत उंच टाचेच्या चपला किंवा बुट घातल्याने अनेक स्त्रियांना टाचदुखीचा ( Heel Pain) त्रास होतो. यामुळे टाचेची झीज होणे, पोटरीच्या स्नायूंवर ताण पडणे आणि प्लांटर फॅसिया  खूप जास्त ताणला जातो. याचा  एकत्रित परिणाम म्हणजे टाच दुखायला लागते. म्हणून उंच टाचेचे चपला आणि बूट नियमित आणि जास्त वेळेपर्यंत वापरणे टाळावे.
2. सतत उभे राहिल्याने टाचेखालचं फॅट पॅड झिजून त्या ठिकाणी हील spurs तयार होतात. त्यासाठी cushions/heel support दिला जातो. याचा परिणाम म्हणजे टाचदुखी ( Heel Pain) कमी होते.
3. खेळाडू किंवा एथलेट्स या लोकांना देखील टाचदुखीचा त्रास उद्भवू शकतो.  कारण पळताना त्यांच्या तळव्यावर ताण येतो. वयाच्या चाळीस ते साठीच्या दरम्यान  हा त्रास होऊ शकतो. गरज लागल्यास आजाराचे निदान करण्यासाठी डॉक्टर  एक्सरे किंवा एमआरआय करण्याचा सल्ला देतात.
4. पोटरीचे स्नायू खूप कडक असल्यामुळे किंवा चुकीच्या पद्धतीने व्यायाम केल्याने सुद्धा त्रास उद्भवतो अश्या वेळी muscle stretching चे व्यायाम डॉक्टरांच्या सल्ल्याने करावेत.त्यानेही आराम मिळतो.
5. ज्यांचे तळवे सपाट असतात आणि तळव्याचा आर्च (कमान) कमी असतो, अश्या लोकांना टाचदुखीचा त्रास त्रास होऊ शकतो.  यासाठी चपला-बुटांमध्ये आतून आधार लावावा लागतो.
6. लठ्ठ असणाऱ्या व्यक्तींना हा त्रास जाणवतो.बहुतांश वेळा वैद्यकीय उपचार आणि योग्य व्यायाम केल्याने हा आजार आटोक्यात येऊ शकतो. वेदना किंवा सूज असते तेंव्हा आराम करणे, वेदनेच्या ठिकाणी बर्फ लावणे असे उपाय केल्याने तात्पुरत्या काळासाठी ही वेदना कमी होते. परंतु हा त्रास जास्त काळ होत असल्यास डॉक्टरांना जरूर भेटावे.

डॉ. चेतन ओसवाल हे  पाय आणि घोट्याचे ( Foot and Ankle Surgeon) तज्ञ सर्जन आहेत. त्यांनी युनायटेड किंग्डमहून याचे खास प्रशिक्षण घेतले आहे. पुण्यातील अत्यंत प्रख्यात बी.जे. मेडिकल कॉलेजमधून त्यांनी एमबीबीएस पूर्ण केली आहे. ते गेल्या 12 वर्षांपासून ऑर्थोपेडिक्सचा ( Orthopedics) सराव करत आहेत आणि आता पुणे येथे समर्पित फूट आणि घोट्याचे ( Foot and Ankle Orthopedics Surgeon)ऑर्थोपेडिक सर्जन म्हणून काम करत आहेत. पाय आणि घोट्याशी संबंधित असलेल्या सर्व समस्यांसाठी त्यांनी प्रसिद्ध खेळाडूंवरही यशस्वीरित्या शस्त्रक्रिया केल्या आहेत.डॉ. चेतन ओसवाल त्यांच्या रूग्णांवर सर्व वैद्यकीय ज्ञान आणि कौशल्याने उपचार करण्याची खात्री देतात.

The post टाच दुखीने (Heel Pain) हैराण आहात का?; आधी योग्य कारण ओळखा मगच उपाय करा appeared first on Pune Foot Ankle.

Research has shown that foot pain generally occurs after spending an hour in high heels. This is typically a result of the weight being distributed to the balls of the feet and may often extend to the toes. If high heels are chosen to be worn frequently and for a considerable amount of time, the Achilles tendon may become stiff, and this may result in difficulty with walking. Relief may be found by practicing proper stretching exercises, preferably several times per day.

If you choose to wear high heels, a consultation with a podiatrist or a foot specialist is advised to learn about how to stretch your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet:-

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – Due to altered posture, it may affect the alignment of the spine and cause fatigue in the back muscles leading to frequent back spasms or stiffness

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Ingrown toenails

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high-heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long-term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.

Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available.

Dr Chetan Oswal is the United Kingdom trained Foot and Ankle specialist surgeon practising in Pune, India. He has been practising Orthopaedics for the last 12 years and is now working as a dedicated Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeon. He has been successfully managing patients including elite athletes for practically all problems related to foot and ankle.

The post Effects of High Heels on the Feet appeared first on Pune Foot Ankle.

Symptoms of Calcaneus (Broken Heel Bone) Fracture

The heel that is fractured becomes tender. The ankle and foot get swollen and bruised. People who have calcaneus or heel bone fractures cannot put weight on their feet.

You can develop compartment syndrome. It usually develops when the swelling pressurizes the blood vessels nearby that block and reduce blood flow. The tissues that are blood-derived may die or get damaged. Immediate treatment is important.

Diagnosis of Calcaneus (Broken Heel Bone) Fracture

• Computed tomography (CT scan)
• X-rays

If doctors think that your heel bone is fractured, they will first take some x-rays that will show if there is a fracture. At times, they may require a computed tomography or CT. It includes x-rays with the help of computer technology to produce a three-dimensional or detailed image of the area that is injured. As heel fractures occur due to great force, doctors can check for some injuries like spine or knee fractures.

Treatment of Calcaneus (Broken Heel Bone) Fracture

The treatment of calcaneus (broken heel bone) fracture can be done with surgery or a cast. If the calcaneus fracture is in position, we recommend non-invasive treatment.

Conclusion

In case you need any treatment for calcaneus- broken heel bone fracture, you can contact Dr. Chetan Oswal at Orthowin Foot and Ankle Clinic in Pune.

The post Calcaneum (Heel Bone) Fracture- Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment appeared first on Pune Foot Ankle.