If walking and any other movements cause pain in the heel, then you should think about going to the doctor. After all, there are many diseases that negatively affect the quality of life. One wonders why the calcaneus hurts and how to deal with it.
The main symptoms of calcaneal diseases
Heel pain and discomfort can occur after playing sports or, conversely, after a long stationary state. The pain in the calcaneus can be significantly increased during walking and even simply when stepping on the foot.
The calcaneal region swells and grows in size. There may be inflammation. As a result of this, redness and fever are observed, the cause of which is inflammatory processes.
Unpleasant sensations, such as numbness, tingling, or burning, may be observed.
Turning to a specialist for help, tell him the exact symptoms. This will help determine a more accurate diagnosis.
Causes
In the heel region, you can find a large number of important components that not only perform the supporting function, but also are responsible for the movement of the leg as a whole. In this place is the calcaneus, as well as ligaments, joints and tendons. Pain can indicate an ailment of any element.
Calcane bursitis
The calcaneus can hurt as a result of acute inflammation of the joint bag. This disease is called calcaneus bursitis. Pain can also occur due to inflammation, which has spread to nearby areas.
The disease is characterized by the following symptoms: swelling in the Achilles tendon, severe pain in the heel. An area forms, which eventually turns red and swells. The affected area has a high temperature due to inflammatory processes.
If you have been diagnosed with bursitis in a hospital, be sure to find out the cause of the disease. This is necessary so that no relapse occurs. Most often, the risk group includes athletes who receive a large load on the calcaneus.
How to treat
Do not self-medicate in any case. After all, the specialist will necessarily take into account all the causes that caused the disease. Do not resort to folk methods, since bursitis can be accompanied by an accumulation of pus. During treatment, you can not rely on a damaged foot, which is fixed with a bondage or bandage.
If the disease has not acquired an acute form, then you can be treated at home. Regularly do warm baths and compresses to help avoid inflammation. Orthopedic insoles, Dimexid dressings and painkillers will reduce pain. In acute form, inpatient treatment is mandatory. Sometimes it is necessary to pierce the inflamed area in order to get rid of purulent accumulations.
Calcaneal spur
Plantar fasciitis occurs due to inflammation of the soft tissues in the heel area. This damage occurs after stretching the plantar fascia or its tear. If treatment is not started in time, then over time, a buildup of deposited salts forms on the damaged area.
When the disease begins to progress, severe acute pains are felt in the heel, especially manifested after sleep or playing sports. Pain sensations are intensified even more if you press hard on the heel. For diagnosis, an x-ray is taken, on which a bone growth will be clearly visible.
How to treat
First you need to eliminate the inflammation of the calcaneus. Then relieve swelling and pain. Be sure to restore the tissue on the calcaneal tuber. To do this, it is enough to make special compresses based on ointments and medicines that the doctor will prescribe.
At a more complex stage, anti-inflammatory injections are administered in a hospital setting. A special massage is also prescribed. In no case should you carry out such manipulations at home.
Achilles tendon inflammation
The role of the tendon ligament is to connect the calf muscles with the calcaneus. If the lower extremities are too heavy, then inflammatory processes appear in the Achilles tendon . There is very severe pain in the heel. The damaged tendon thickens and reddens. In this case, the injured person cannot move independently. Also, pain in the inflamed heel can be observed after excessive exercise. Very often, the cause of the disease is an incorrect metabolism, which contributes to the deposition of salts.
How to treat
The most important part of the treatment is thermal procedures and rest of the lower extremities. To speed up the healing process, you should do stretching the calf muscles. This will help to relax such strained ligaments. Massage sessions and ultrasound therapy should be attended. In the acute form of inflammation, antibiotics are used.
In order for the treatment process to proceed quickly and successfully, you need to completely limit any physical activity. At home, you can apply ointment dressings and make warm compresses.
Fractures
Calcaneal injuries are a very serious ailment, the treatment of which must be approached with all responsibility. Every day, the heel is experiencing very large loads. Due to the spongy structure and a large number of nerves and blood vessels, the calcaneus carries all fractures very painfully. At risk are climbers and people working at height. A fracture occurs during direct landing on legs from a great height or squeezing.
Fracture symptoms
- Sharp sharp pain. If the ligaments and bones are damaged, self-movement is not possible.
- Very often hematomas form on the damaged site. If the fracture is open - heavy bleeding.
- The entire heel and the area around it swells.
To determine the exact diagnosis, you need to do an x-ray immediately in those projections. Very often, a calcaneus fracture is accompanied by other injuries. If there is a suspicion of a fracture of the spine, the injured person cannot be raised before the ambulance arrives.
Bone crack
Most often, a calcaneal crack appears when falling from a great height.
In this case, swelling and bruising appear. Due to severe pain, moving around is very difficult. A bone crack is very serious and dangerous, because a person thinks that he has received a normal bruise, and hopes that it will go away by itself. And as a result of untimely diagnosis and treatment - growths and deformation of the calcaneus. Only an x-ray can determine the exact diagnosis. The crack is treated by setting the bone and applying gypsum. Sometimes, in especially severe or advanced cases, they come to surgical intervention.
Fast recovery from injuries
A calcaneus fracture is a very serious ailment, therefore, its elimination must be taken with all responsibility. After the plaster is removed, the patient must undergo a course of therapeutic restorative gymnastics. Such exercises can be performed at home. To perform some of them you will need an exercise bike. You need to start training on it on toes, gradually transferring the load to the heels. A set of exercises is selected for each patient individually, taking into account the characteristics of his injuries. Special exercises will restore joint mobility and improve blood flow in the limbs. In order to avoid complications, you must faithfully follow all the doctor's recommendations.
Calcaneus Disease Prevention
Preventive measures should begin with the prevention of premature aging of the musculoskeletal system. To do this, follow a few simple but very important rules:
- Be sure to lose weight. Even a few extra pounds will significantly increase the load on the feet. By solving this problem, you protect yourself from many health problems.
- Go in for sports, because he, too, is the key to your health. Do not forget about walking and visiting the pool.
- Do not overload the feet. At the slightest pain, contact the hospital. Even a serious illness may be hidden behind them.
- Keep track of the health of your entire spine.
- Do not let flat foot develop and progress.
- Wear comfortable shoes. And wearing high-heeled shoes is minimized.
- If you notice the slightest signs of calcaneus disease, go through the diagnosis. Preventing the disease is much easier than treating it.
And do not forget about good rest and proper nutrition. Always be in shape, and no diseases of the heels you will not be afraid.