Heel Pain in Australia

There are a number of types of heel pain, such as Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spur Syndrome. A lesser known cause of heel pain is a condition called Bursitis. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that cushions the muscles, tendons and bones in your joints. It helps to keep these from rubbing against each other and reduces friction in the areas around the joints. Bursitis refers to inflammation of the bursa. Repeated movement and pressure on the bursa can cause it to swell and become irritated and inflamed. Trauma, bacterial infection, or crystal deposits can also cause bursitis. The joints that are usually affected by bursitis are the large joints such as the shoulder, hip and knee but in some cases also the heel joint. People suffering from bursitis may experience pain and tenderness around the affected soft tissue, pain that worsens with movement or pressure, and visible swelling or skin redness in the area of the inflamed bursa in the heel, which may restrict movement and affect daily activities. Bursitis is in the heel area is also called Retrocalcaneal Bursitis or Calcaneal Bursitis and the cause of this type of heel pain. The calf comprises of two major muscle groups, both of which insert into the heel bone via the Achilles Tendons. Between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone lies a bursa known as the retrocalcaneal bursa. During contraction of the calf, tension is placed through the Achilles tendon and this rubs against the retrocalcaneal bursa.

Excessively tight shoes may also increase friction on the retrocalcaneal bursa. When this friction is excessive due to too much repetition or high force, irritation and inflammation of the bursa may occur. This condition is called a retrocalcaneal bursitis. Between the heel bone and fat pad there is a small sack of fluid called a bursa. If this bursa becomes inflamed through over use then plantar fasciitis will result.

The solution is rest. Padding with a hole for the bursa to fit in can be made. If this injury goes on for a long time some doctors might give a steroid injection. Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel and pain. This chronic problem is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of ligament that connects the heel bone to the bones in the ball of your foot. This inflammation may result from over-use or excess body weight and also poor lower limb biomechanics. This then causes the plantar fascia to tear or pull away from the heel bone. Sometimes the inflamed ligament may also irritate a nerve ending and cause even more pain. A bony spur may also develop where the fascia and heel bone meet.

The bottom or inside of your foot may hurt when you stand. The pain usually decreases after you walk a few steps, but it may return with prolonged movement. Other symptoms include sharp heel pain when getting out of bed, or when you stand up after sitting for a while, burning or shooting pain in your foot, and a dull ache in the foot after standing for long periods on a hard surface, or when running. Complete recovery from heel complaints may take a few months. However, many Australians simply put up with foot pain, until walking becomes almost impossible. Plantar Fasciitis in its early stages can be self-managed by wearing properly fitted shoes and orthotic inserts (arch supports or heel pads), and also by performing some stretching exercises, do massage and application of ice packs. Shock-wave therapy is often used for heel spurs, sending therapeutic waves into the the inflamed area. Your doctor may prescribe you with anti-inflammatory medications or night splints, or a cortisone-steroid injection into the heel. This includes reducing exercise and walking until the pain is gone, switching to non-weight-bearing exercise and also use orthotics to support the arches and reduce the tension on the achilles heel ligaments.

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