What causes heel pain in women?

The heel may look insignificant, but it is actually one of the most important parts of our body. Many experts believe that the heel is more prone to problems than other parts of the foot, mainly because it is always rubbing against the shoes and has to bear the huge weight of the body. So, some female friends always feel pain in the heels, which is very affected when walking. What is the reason?

Pain on one or both sides of the heel, no redness or swelling, and difficulty walking. Also known as heel pain. It is a disease caused by lesions in the bones, joints, bursae, fascia, etc. of the heel. The most common is plantar fasciitis, which often occurs in people who stand or walk for long periods of time. It is caused by long-term, chronic minor injuries and is manifested by the rupture and repair process of the plantar fascia fibers, bone hyperplasia and tenderness at the fascia attachment on the inner side of the calcaneus, and lateral X-rays showing calcaneal spurs.

However, bone spurs do not necessarily cause heel pain, and plantar fasciitis does not necessarily cause bone spurs. According to traditional Chinese medicine, heel pain is mostly caused by liver and kidney yin deficiency, phlegm and dampness, and blood heat. The liver governs the tendons and the kidneys govern the bones. Deficiency of the liver and kidneys will lead to malnutrition of the tendons and bones. Sudden exposure to wind, cold, dampness or chronic strain will lead to stagnation of the meridians, obstruction of the circulation of qi and blood, malnutrition of the tendons, bones and muscles, and thus illness.

Plantar fasciitis

The most common cause of heel pain 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.

The latter is often considered to be the cause of heel pain, but clinical studies have shown that it is difficult to confirm the causal relationship between it and heel pain. Plantar fasciitis is not necessarily accompanied by bone spurs, and people with heel spurs do not necessarily have heel pain.

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. Drug injection treatment 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.

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.

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

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.