Pain When Walking On Heel

Pain when walking on heel can cause you severe discomfort. The inability to walk freely can cause physical and mental challenges for many persons.

Human beings naturally prefer to be independent, so depending on another person can cause distress.

However, if you have such pain, you can do a few things to help overcome this issue. You can visit your local physician for a diagnosis and treatment as needed.

The other option involves using the information here to help you figure out the cause of the pain and how to treat it.

The first thing to note is comparing the symptoms given for heel pain with your symptoms. Once you have the results, you can compare the treatments to find those that are similar.

This process makes finding a treatment safe and easy to guarantee that the remedy can work for all the conditions.

Once you follow this process, you should see improvement in your condition, so without further delay, here are the conditions that cause pain when walking on your heel.

Pain When Walking On Heel – Likely Causes

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The banded tissue connecting the heel to the bottom of the feet has inflammation and swells.

This issue occurs when persons wear improper or tight shoes and often walk on uneven surfaces. Other causes are heel overuse and the structure of your foot.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis are a tight Achilles tendon and swollen heel. You may experience heel pain for months, including the foot’s arch.

 Other signs are increased pain from workouts or when you get out of bed in the morning.

Treatment for this condition is night splints, orthotics, walking boots, braces, splints, and physical therapy.

Achilles Tendonitis

Another common cause of heel pain is Achilles tendonitis. This issue is when the tendon in the heel becomes inflamed.

The cause of the inflammation can be due to overuse of the heel by running, jumping, and other foot-related activities.

Symptoms of this condition are a pain when you walk or run in the heel. Other signs are stiffness and swelling in the area.

Treatment for Achilles tendonitis requires reducing the amount of time spent on the heel by resting. You should elevate the feet often and ice the affected area a few times per day.

You can also use a compress on the heel and do stretches and swimming to assist in restoring the mobility of the area.

Bone Spurs

Bone spurs are another common cause of heel pain. An extra growth starts on the heel, causing a painful bump.

The cause of the growth is due to either the plantar fascia stretching or repetitive tears in the heel bone membrane from injury or impact.

The symptoms of bone spurs are a lump on the heel that makes walking or running painful. The pain can be sharp-like or dull at times with a warm feeling. 

Treatment for this condition is the use of oral anti-inflammatory medications. Using the R.I.C.E method is paramount.

You need to rest, ice the heel, use a compression bandage and elevate the foot.

Pain When Walking On Heel – More Causes

Heel pain will always require rest regardless of the cause. If your condition requires wearing orthotics, you will still need adequate rest. 

Most heel pain may be related to an injury, but some are due to other medical conditions. That is why seeing a professional doctor is vital to any decision made.

To help with the self-analysis, we recommend reading the remainder of medical problems to reach a wise conclusion. Here are other causes to consider.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease affects mainly children between the age of seven to fourteen; however, it can affect anyone. This disease is due to inflammation of the growth plate in the heel.

The leading cause is the heel plate’s growth occurring faster than expected. 

Symptoms of Sever’s disease are severe pain in one or both heels and swelling and redness around the heel.

Other signs are increased pain during physical activity, which declines after rest.

Treatment for this condition is physiotherapy to help strengthen muscles in the calf and legs. Other remedies are pain medications to relieve inflammation.

You can use ice packs for swelling and heel inserts for comfort and elevating the foot when resting.

Bursitis

Bursitis happens when the bursa has inflammation, a sac that helps cushion the heel. The cause of the inflammation is overuse or injury of the heel.

The bursitis symptoms are fever, shooting or sharp heel pain, and stiffness. You will notice swelling, redness, and bruising in the affected area.

The treatment for this condition is applying ice to the area and using a compress bandage to support the heel.

Other methods are elevation of the foot and getting plenty of rest. You can use dry, warm mist or heat to the area.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures are another common cause of heel pain, particularly when walking or running. 

Fractures happen when the heel is overworked or damaged from consistent running, jumping, or a blow to that area.

Symptoms of stress fractures are severe pain and swelling in the heel and surrounding areas. 

Other signs are pain before, during, and after activity and tenderness of the heel bone. In some instances, the pain may go away after exercise.

Treatment for this condition is reducing physical activity and getting rest. Other remedies are icing the heel, using a compression bandage, and elevating the foot.

Depending on the severity of the pain, your doctor may recommend pain relief medication that helps reduce the inflammation.

Pain When Walking On Heel – Other Possible Causes

The list provided shows the various medical conditions that can cause heel pain. We have a few less likely, but there are possible causes.

Other possible conditions are Haglund’s deformity, inflamed tendons, and tendonosis. These have similar symptoms and may use similar treatments.

If you experience pain when walking on heel, be sure to seek medical attention and do what you can to help the healing process.