What causes heel pain in women?

If a person has a problem with their feet, it is difficult to observe directly. It is only when these problems cause pain that people will notice them. Because the feet are home to some of the most important parts of the human body, many people are very concerned about problems with their feet. Some women often feel pain in the heels of their feet, so what causes pain in the heels of women?

1 Plantar fasciitis

The most common cause of heel pain in women is lesions caused by the accumulation of long-term, chronic, and minor trauma, which manifests as the rupture of fascia fibers and their repair process. There may be bone hyperplasia near the inner fascia below the calcaneus, forming a bone ridge. It appears as a bone spur on a lateral x-ray. Heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis can be cured naturally. Raising the heels, reducing the pull of the Achilles tendon on the calcaneus, plantar flexion of the forefoot, and relieving the tension of the plantar fascia can all alleviate the symptoms.

Treatment method: Drug injection therapy can be performed on the local tender points on the inner side of the heel once a week. Most patients can be cured within two weeks after the injection.

2 Heel pain

It often occurs in the elderly. The heel pad is an elastic cushion formed by fibrous tissue, fat tissue and elastic fibers under the heel bone. In young people, the heel pad is elastic and can absorb vibrations. In old age, the elasticity of the heel pad decreases, and the calcaneus bears the body weight without padding. In severe cases, scars and calcium deposits may form, causing heel pain.

Treatment: Heel pain is different from plantar fasciitis in that there is tenderness under the entire heel. Treatment is with sponge heel pads or local medication injections.

3 Retrocalcaneal bursitis

The most common disease is the bursa between the Achilles tendon and the skin, which is caused by friction damage from inappropriate high-heeled leather shoes. The bursa wall may become thickened, the bursa may be filled with synovial fluid, and there may be local swelling and tenderness. Treatment should aim to improve shoe shape. If the swelling of the bursa does not subside, it can be punctured and aspirated, and hydrocortisone can be injected.

Treatment:

1. Alternating between ice and heat. If the acute swelling and pain has subsided and the heat has been eliminated, you can use alternating ice and hot compresses to treat it, that is, ice compress for 10 minutes and then hot compress for 10 minutes, and repeat this process.

2. Use foam rubber pads or felt pads to raise the heel and remove the pressure from the shoe upper. Use shoe orthotics to control abnormal heel movement. In a small number of patients, stretching the shoe upper or removing the heel suture can reduce inflammation, and placing a pad around the bursa can relieve pressure.

4 Subtalar arthritis

Subtalar arthritis often occurs after a calcaneal fracture and is a type of traumatic arthritis. The pain in the anterior tarsal sinus on X-rays was aggravated by weight bearing. If conservative treatment fails, calcaneal arthrodesis should be performed. Old calcaneal fractures or rare calcaneal tumors or tuberculosis are also causes of heel pain. Heel pain can be caused by diseases other than heel pain, such as rheumatoid spondylitis, lumbar disc herniation compressing the sacral nerve roots, and tibial nerve compression in the calf.

Treatment method: It is recommended to take ibuprofen and Panax notoginseng tablets orally first. In addition, hot compress treatment and less activity can be performed. If the symptoms are severe, you can go to the surgical department for examination.

5 Ligament inflammation

Most heel pain is caused by inflammation of the ligaments. The human heel is composed of 33 joints and more than 100 tendons and ligaments. The ligaments on the sole of the foot are tightly connected to the bottom of the heel bone. When people walk, huge pulling force is concentrated in a narrow area on the ligament under the heel bone. Repeated pulling and friction can easily lead to inflammation of the junction of the ligament and bone, causing pain. At the same time, weight also has a certain relationship with heel pain. Generally speaking, fatter people are more likely to suffer from heel pain.

Treatment method: Soak a towel in cold water and apply it to the thigh. After 24 hours, switch to hot compress. If conditions permit, massage and acupuncture the injured area to relieve pain. Do not exercise excessively and lie flat when sleeping at night.

6 Signs of Menopause

After women enter menopause, their estrogen levels suddenly drop, and their ability to absorb calcium decreases sharply, making them prone to various symptoms of calcium deficiency, such as heel pain and osteoporosis.

Treatment plan: If women show signs of calcium deficiency after entering menopause, no matter how much calcium they take, it will be difficult to absorb. Therefore, to protect bones, prevention must be started early. For example, develop a good habit of drinking milk and soy milk, consume more soy products, and pay attention to physical exercise.