The child's heels hurt when standing. Sore heels in a child: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Enhanced immunity to diseases does not protect the child from danger, trips to surgeons and orthopedists. In adults and children, pathologies are different, since the structure of the body is different, and they turn to different doctors.

Heel pain is evidence of a disease

Often, when examined by a doctor, a disease is detected. Not terrible - which is treated, but a disease.

List of common diseases:

  • Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the fascia, bands of connective tissue and skin on the sole. It becomes inflamed closer to the clutch with the heel tubercle, this place hurts. The reason is wearing uncomfortable shoes;
  • Calcaneal apophysitis - inflammation occurs in the apophysis, the plate responsible for the growth of the foot. At 3-6 years old, the plate is weak, pressure causes pain. Pain also appears when walking, running, jumping, physical exertion, if the child is not used to it;
  • Haglund-Schlinz disease - the apophysis becomes inflamed due to injury. If, after a strong blow or fall, the cartilage inside the heel is destroyed, blood circulation is disturbed. The cartilage begins to grow, the distance between the apophysis and the calcaneus increases, causing pain.
  • Tendon overload - characterized by burning pain in the heel when walking, trying to step on the heel. With flat feet, they wear medical insoles that reduce the friction of the sole with shoes;
  • Flat feet are a common cause of heel pain. With flat feet, there is pressure on the foot when walking. Avoiding trouble, it is better to carefully monitor the shape of the child's foot, to prevent a possible deviation from the norm.
  • Excess weight puts pressure on the legs and spine. The lower extremities have to bear the weight, the pressure on the heel is maximum. This is the reason to maintain a healthy lifestyle, to force the child to eat right.
  • Curvature of the spine occurs when the child does not want to keep his back straight, hunches and stoops. The vertebrae are displaced, the hip muscles are loaded unevenly, affecting the condition of the limbs, on the heel. Muscle tension changes, heels hurt.
  • Osteochondrosis - often the result of malnutrition, lack of vitamins in the body.
  • Lack of calcium in the body - bones and joints lose strength, quality, strength. Contact with the external environment causes blisters, injuries.

The skin on the heel and the sole is thin, easily exposed to changes and damage. A crack, a callus are places where pain occurs. Closely monitor the child's condition. Finding the cause is the first step to curing the disease.

There are many more reasons for heel pain. An orthopedist or surgeon will help determine the child's illness. If a child has a genetic predisposition to a disease, the parents become the unwitting cause of the disease.

Do not blame yourself that the child has a heel pain: there are things that are beyond our control. Prevention of heel diseases depends on us, measures taken regardless of the age of the child.

Self-medication is not worth it. You need to see a doctor after the onset of symptoms.

How to get rid of heel pain? How is it treated?

Do not prescribe a course of treatment yourself. Contact doctors who specialize in working with children. If you can cope with such a pathology, remember that the child's body does not grow like an adult, it is necessary to take other drugs, carry out other procedures.

The treatment is complex: taking pills, preventive measures - physiotherapy, heel massage - sometimes plaster. Doctors recommend limiting physical activity, rest, and eating foods rich in calcium.

Doctors prefer to use conservative methods of treatment. Surgery scares children. Often there is no need for it: the operation is done when there is an incorrect fusion of bones in the foot, a purulent disease that passes to the lower leg, knee, gets to the pelvis, hips. In other cases - pills, physiotherapy, massage, warming up, proper nutrition. Doctors advise the use of folk remedies - herbal compresses, warming ointments, tinctures prepared at home. The use of traditional medicine is agreed with the attending physician.

Heel surgery is reserved for severe cases. If the child complains of discomfort, go to the doctor.

Prevention of heel diseases, rehabilitation after treatment

Measures to prevent heel pain:

  • Buy loose shoes made of breathable fabric;
  • Wear medical insoles if flat feet are diagnosed;
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat right;
  • Do exercises, physical exercises on the limbs, dosed, without overworking;
  • If a parent has flat feet that was inherited by the child, wear special medical insoles.

It doesn’t matter why the heel hurts, if you get rid of the original cause in time. The body of the child grows, moreover, quickly. The missed pathology remains in the bones. Not all bone pathologies go away on their own - many require intervention - surgical, medicinal - it doesn’t matter. Pain is a sign of pathology in the body. It is important to understand the cause in advance, to do everything necessary for treatment.

Today you can often hear complaints that a child has a heel pain. Recently, this phenomenon is not uncommon. Of course, such a symptom does not pose a serious danger to the health of the baby.

But, when walking, he feels discomfort, and his movements are somewhat constrained. Many children do not tell their parents that they have this problem.

This is wrong, because a serious illness can be hidden behind a painful symptom. Even after the disappearance of pain, you should not relax. When it comes to children, you need to be on the alert and undergo the appropriate examination. So why does a child have a heel pain?

Causes of pain

They may occur for various reasons. The most commonplace is the excessive load on the foot, injury to the leg, as well as uncomfortable shoes. If the heel hurts, it is worth considering all the cases in detail, this will prevent the onset of the disease.

Of course, parents are not always able to foresee certain options. This is especially true for young children who cannot imagine their life without active games.

So, the child’s heels hurt - the reasons for such an ailment:

  • Apophysitis. The most common cause of pain in the heel area. Often young people who play sports suffer from this disease. As a result of active movements and numerous pressures on the heel bone, inflammation occurs. It is the inflammatory process that causes pain. In frequent cases, the child's heels hurt when walking, which somewhat hinders his movements;
  • Osteochondropathy. An equally common disease that occurs in children of different ages. Such an ailment can develop over a long time or occur immediately. At the same time, almost all patients complain of pain during walking. During a visual examination, the patient can see a slight swelling and swelling on the foot. In this case, it is mandatory to undergo fluoroscopy.

You can also solve the problem with the help of physiotherapy, massage and physiotherapy exercises. If you start treatment in a timely manner when the child's heel hurts, complications and deformity of the calcaneus can be prevented.

  • Achilles bursitis. This disease of the heel bag manifests itself in the form of pain during movement and swelling in the corresponding area. Acute pain occurs when wearing narrow and tight shoes. The patient should be at rest. In the chronic form of the disease, he is prescribed orthopedic shoes;
  • Achillodynia is inflammation of the Achilles tendon. The cause of this disease is an excessive load on the foot. This is especially true for people who are involved in athletics or running. Of course, the main cause of Achillodynia is jumping. To prevent the occurrence of an ailment, it is necessary to carefully approach the choice of shoes for sports;
  • Tendinitis. As a result of wearing uncomfortable shoes and heavy physical exertion, edema appears in the heel area. In this case, an increase in body temperature may be observed. The affected area turns red and becomes somewhat sensitive to touch;
  • Injury. An equally common cause of pain in the heel area are bruises. After the injury, the patient must undergo an x-ray. If the problem is identified in time, then treatment can be prescribed that will quickly eliminate it. Bruises often result from playing sports. Jumping, running, and other activities can cause this injury.

As you can see, the problem can occur for various reasons. Whatever it is, when the first symptoms appear, you should immediately seek help from a doctor. My patients use a proven remedy, thanks to which you can get rid of pain in 2 weeks without much effort.

What to do with a fracture?

A fracture is a very serious injury, which results in severe pain. Often this injury occurs as a result of a fall on the heel. When an injury is severe, but swelling and edema, sometimes it may not appear outwardly, in such cases it is worth taking an x-ray.

With it, you can assess the severity of the situation. If, as a result of an unsuccessful landing on the heel, pain occurs in the heel region, then you should immediately seek help from a traumatologist.

In fact, whatever the problem, if children feel discomfort, pain and malaise after playing sports, then you should immediately seek help from a doctor.

Only a doctor and an appropriate examination will allow you to assess the seriousness of the situation. When the heel hurts in a child of 10 years old, then you should seriously think about this problem, as this can be a symptom of a serious illness.

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In newborns, the bones are elastic, cartilage joints still remain in them. Over time, the formation of the body occurs, the bones finally harden, actively grow. Heel spurs are common in children. As a rule, such disorders are diagnosed in the first 12 years of life.

The propensity for hardening in the heel correlates with the active growth of bones, the work of the endocrine system, which controls this process.

The most common causes when it hurts for a child to step on the heel are:

  1. Wearing shoes that are too tight. In it, the leg is located incorrectly and this provokes a violation of the distribution of the load.
  2. Unbearable load on the legs and feet or increased activity.
  3. Uncontrolled weight gain, when the body is under stress, and the feet cannot quickly get used to the load.
  4. Lack of vitamins, nutritional components involved in metabolic processes.
  5. Lack of calcium, magnesium.

Sometimes the formation of a heel spur is associated with specific diseases of the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Such pathologies are always characterized by prerequisites and require the implementation of detailed diagnostics and treatment.

The risk of manifestation of pathologies in children aged 5-12 years is quite high, therefore, in case of complaints of heel pain, it is necessary to take the child to an orthopedic specialist, a surgeon. This will prevent dangerous complications.

Plantar fasciitis (heel spur)

Plantar (plantar) fasciitis is a pathological condition of the plantar ligament of the foot.

The child's body is more exposed to negative environmental factors. This provokes the rapid progression of pathological changes, especially in the musculoskeletal system. This happens because the growing bones are not yet fully formed, and the muscles cannot properly withstand heavy loads.

Features of development in children

The main reason for the formation of a heel spur is a large load. The plantar fascia is a thickened plate of connective tissue. It is responsible for maintaining the arch of the foot in the correct position.

The fascia lengthens slightly during the step when pushing off with the foot, when jumping or running, it experiences a large load. When running or jumping for a long time, the ligament is stretched, the tissue is injured. Damage is localized in the area of ​​attachment of the ligament to the calcaneus. This is the first stage in the development of plantar fasciitis.

Overloads occur in children who are fond of professional dances and sports, such as ballet, running, football, volleyball, basketball. The baby's foot is finally formed only by the age of 6 - 7, until this time too large loads are undesirable.

But coaches and teachers often forget about this, conducting overly active workouts that do not benefit the emerging body.

During periods of active growth, the health of the baby is at risk. It was at this time that the diagnoses of flat feet, varus, valgus deformity are most often made. Such deviations from the norm should not be ignored, hoping that they will pass on their own as they grow thanks to dancing and sports. In fact, the opposite is true, so mandatory diagnostics, x-rays and imaging, and treatment will be required.

Only the right physiotherapy and physiotherapy exercises will correct curvature, strengthen the arch of the foot. When choosing a sports club, it is first important to get a doctor's recommendation.

The risk of heel spurs is greatly increased by wearing the wrong shoes. Orthopedists recommend that children wear models according to their legs, and if problems are identified, use orthopedic insoles. Not recommended for wearing are shoes that have a completely flat sole - ballet flats, sneakers.

Children involved in sports need to choose the right shoes for training. Failure to follow the rules seriously increases the risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Cause pathology and other abnormalities:

  • congenital weakness of the ligaments;
  • disturbance of processes of an exchange of calcium, vitamins;
  • obesity;
  • genetic predisposition.

Symptoms

In the event of pathologies of the structure of the calcaneus, its ligaments, there are no external symptoms. The main sign of the formation of an inflammatory focus, the formation of outgrowths (osteophytes) on the heel bone is pain in the foot with a strong load.

The nature of the pain helps the doctor to suggest the development of plantar fasciitis:

At the first stage of the lesion, children complain of acute pain in the heel, which appear in the morning.

  1. During the day, the pain goes away on its own, but in the evening it develops with renewed vigor.
  2. With the progression of the disease, the size of the bumps on the bone increases greatly, constantly squeezing nearby tissues. In this regard, the pain manifests itself sharply and unexpectedly, even when there is no load. It becomes almost impossible to stop the discomfort.

With recurrent heel pain, you need to go to a doctor who organizes diagnostics and, if necessary, selects an effective treatment. Timely medical care makes it possible to reduce the time of illness and prevent injury to the bone structure in the heel.

Treatment

In children, heel spurs are treated according to the same principles as in adults. First, the doctor eliminates the influence of the cause, gives recommendations on how to treat a spur on the heel of a child, how to unload the foot and how to help the body defeat the disease on its own.

  1. The first step on the path to recovery is an appointment with an orthopedist, who, after diagnosis, gives individual recommendations to patients, helps to choose the right shoes and insoles.
  2. The main method of therapy for children is to provide the affected area with the greatest possible rest. The child should be kept at home until the pain subsides.
  3. The doctor also prescribes additional courses of exercise therapy - these are sets of exercises that help strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the foot.
  4. The doctor, taking into account contraindications, may prescribe the use of night orthoses and physiotherapy - massage, shock wave therapy, electrophoresis, etc.

In children, plantar fasciitis heals faster, and its most dangerous consequence may be the impossibility of professional sports and dancing. There are no other side effects of the disease in children. Surgical treatment of heel spurs is almost never performed. But it is better to prevent the development of pathology. Prevention involves the rejection of unbearable loads and the right choice of shoes.

  • Providing temporary immobilization of the injured leg area. Children require strict adherence to bed rest, maximum restriction of movement. To reduce pain under the injured heel, place a small pillow or soft roller.
  • Wearing orthopedic insoles - this helps to reduce the load, as well as evenly distribute it.

Exercise therapy and massage

After the exacerbation subsides, physiotherapy exercises can be carried out in order to strengthen the muscles in the legs, stretch the plantar fascia. Basic exercises for the treatment of flat feet work well:

  • you need to roll a small ball with the arch of the foot;
  • you need to collect a piece of fabric with your toes.

With a heel spur, the main complex includes the following exercises:

  • Walk up to the wall at arm's length and lean on it. Move the healthy leg forward, bend it halfway, and take the sick leg back - also slightly bend at the knee. From this position - slowly squat, trying not to tear off the heels of the floor, until the stretching of the foot begins to be felt. The knee should be bent at a 90 degree angle.
  • In the same way, go up to the wall, put books and a platform under your feet. Stand on it so that the heels hang down. Slowly lean towards the wall, without changing position, do 15 repetitions.
  • Sit on the floor, straighten your legs and bring them together. So you need to bend over with your arms extended forward, take your toes and pull them towards you.

Preparations

As needed, the doctor may prescribe medication treatment - anti-inflammatory ointments specifically for the treatment of heel spurs.

  1. NSAID drugs. Drug therapy involves the use of ointments with anti-inflammatory, absorbable, analgesic effects: Voltaren, Relief. Simultaneously with local remedies, according to indications, the doctor may prescribe pills for a course of 2 weeks.
  2. Homeopathic local remedies: Pyatkashpor, which has positive reviews.
  3. Herbal ointments: Golden mustache, cinquefoil gel.
  4. Preparations with a warming effect - Finalgon, Kapsikam.
  5. Ointments with regenerating action: Chondroxide.

The preparations should be applied 3 times a day, after which do not wear socks and shoes until the product is completely absorbed into the skin. The duration of treatment is not less than 14 days.

Most often, after such therapy, the pain completely recedes. To maintain the achieved result and normalize blood flow in the affected tissues, you need to do warm baths with herbal decoctions. It is good to find a qualified specialist for the implementation of foot massage, as well as for treatment sessions with therapeutic mud. It is forbidden to carry out therapy by any methods without obtaining the instructions of a doctor.

Other methods

The most used method of physiotherapy for plantar fasciitis in children is laser exposure to the heel. Its beam stops inflammation and restores blood circulation.

Children can also undergo magnetotherapy, when an electromagnetic field acts on an injured area. The procedure allows you to expand the vessels, fill them with oxygen and reduce pain.

Mud, paraffin and mineral baths are also considered effective. They should be done within 20 minutes, the duration of therapy is 1 month. The result is improved cell regeneration and reduced inflammation.

It is possible to use alternative medicine methods approved by the doctor, but subject to the combination with the use of prescribed ointments and the implementation of physiotherapy. A holistic approach helps speed up recovery.

One of the effective recipes of traditional medicine is potatoes:

  • the root crop is crushed on a grater;
  • the juice is carefully squeezed out, and the pulp is applied to the injured area;
  • the compress is attached to gauze and aged for 8 hours.

Another good folk method is iodine. On the affected heel, draw a mesh for them 2 times a day, wrap it with a bandage and put on a sock. You can use this method for a maximum of 10 days, until the pain recedes.

Additionally, baths with salt are made. For 1 liter of warm water, you need 3 tablespoons of table salt, then put your feet there.
It should be noted that Dr. Komarovsky emphasizes the need for physical activity in children, but opposes early professional sports. At the same time, the growing body increases the load on the feet and on the body as a whole, which is fraught with serious consequences in the work of the musculoskeletal system.

It should be noted surgical operations to remove the heel spur, despite their rare use for the treatment of children:

  • open surgery;
  • endoscopy;
  • Minimally invasive dissection of the fascia under radiographic control.

Other causes of pain

There are other diseases that provoke the formation of a heel spur in children.

Apophysitis

Apophysitis of the calcaneus in a child develops due to abnormal growth of the bone tissue of the heel, in the place where the calcaneus connects to the Achilles tendon. This condition is often confused with epiphysitis. But the latter injures cartilage along with connective tissues, and apophysitis only apophyses, that is, bone tissue.

The causes of the disease are correlated with unbearable loads on the foot, this happens with uncontrolled sports, with hyperactivity or too rapid bone growth.

Pain with apophysitis is aching, complemented by swelling, blanching of the skin at the sites of injury, and the temperature also rises locally. The injury is localized on the posterior and lateral lobe of the heel. You can diagnose the problem using x-rays, which reflect the real state of the bone.

Taking NSAIDs, analgesics will help reduce pain. Be sure to prescribe vitamin complexes with magnesium and calcium in the composition. The foot should be kept at rest for some time, then begin a course of light massage to restore muscle tone.

Subsequently, the treatment of heel apophysitis in a child, its prevention involves the use of orthopedic shoes and compliance with the standards of physical activity.

Osteochondropathy

This is a common disease in children. At the age of 9, there is a peak of physical activity, so the load on the musculoskeletal system increases significantly. This causes defeat.

Children complain that the heel swells up, starts to hurt when walking. Therapy is based on reducing the load on the injured foot. Physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage are also required.

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Foot massage helps in the treatment of many diseases of the feet, it also has a beneficial effect on the entire body: there are many points on the feet that are responsible for the condition of the organs.

Achilles bursitis

The formation of a spur and intense pain causes Achilles bursitis in children. There is swelling in the heel, which is very painful during movement.

In case of damage, fixation of the injured area with splints is indicated. In a chronic course, the mandatory use of orthopedic shoes, rest, UHF therapy and compresses are required.

Achillodynia

The cause of the disease is an inflammatory process in the Achilles tendon. It develops due to heavy physical exertion for the child's body, with too frequent sports.

Epiphysitis

This pathology is a rupture of cartilage between the calcaneus and the apophysis. The disease is diagnosed most often in male adolescents who are already involved in professional sports with heavy loads on the feet. This provokes pain in the heels, especially after hard training.

Pathology is also provoked by a lack of vitamin D. In connection with this, the disease is diagnosed in children living in areas where a lack of this vitamin has been established.

Schnitz disease

This disease is often detected in children. Its main features include:

  • swelling;
  • inflammatory processes;
  • an increase in local temperature in the heel area.

When children step on the heel, they experience a sharp pain. The cause of the development of disorders is aseptic necrosis of the calcaneal tuberosity. And it arises under the influence of:

  • genetic factors;
  • metabolic disorders;
  • neurotrophic pathologies;
  • transferred infections;
  • foot injury.

In children, the provoking factor of this disease almost always becomes a strong load on the tubercle of the heel bone, tendons in the foot.

Tendinitis

A disease that resembles bursitis. It is provoked by unbearable loads, wearing the wrong shoes. The leg swells in the area of ​​the foot, closer to the heel, the local temperature rises. The affected area turns red, becomes sensitive to touch.

Sprain

When the ligaments are stretched, the nerves are compressed and pinched. It also causes complaints of discomfort, pain when walking, after sports exercises. If the shoes rub against the area of ​​the Achilles tendon, it causes a sprain.

bruises

Bruises in children are the most common cause of heel pain. After a severe bruise, an X-ray examination is mandatory to rule out fractures.

Bruises happen when walking, during games, after unsuccessful falls, jumps. The leg can easily twist when running. The consequences include pain of varying intensity depending on the severity of the injury, the formation of swelling and hematoma. For effective treatment, complete rest is prescribed for 2 weeks.

Fracture in the heel

This is one of the most dangerous causes of heel pain. Fractures happen after falls on the heel. The strength of the pain can vary from moderate to unbearable, a tumor forms. A fracture can only be diagnosed by X-ray. If the child jumped and unsuccessfully fell on the heel, and then complains of severe pain, it is urgent to show him to a traumatologist for an examination.

So, in children, a heel spur can be cured much faster compared to an adult. You can see what the violation looks like in the photo on the Internet. The most dangerous consequence of the disease in childhood is a ban on professional dancing and sports. There are no other side effects of pathology in children. If possible, it is better to prevent the disease than to carry out therapy later. Prevention involves the rejection of an unbearable load on the feet and the right choice of shoes.

If the child began to complain that it hurts to step on the heel, the first thing to check is whether he has any mechanical damage. The activity of children often leads to injuries and sprains, causing parents to worry. A mild bruise goes away in a couple of days, and in more serious cases, you can not do without the help of a doctor. If you cannot independently determine why the child has pain, it is better to show it to a specialist.

If a child complains of pain in the heel for no apparent reason, it is necessary to consult with the attending physician

Causes of heel pain in children

The most common causes of heel pain include:

PathologyReason for the appearanceTreatment tactics
ApophysitisInflammatory process in the bone caused by trauma. Usually occurs in active children (during dancing, sports, etc.).Reduce the load on the injured area, in case of severe pain - taking analgesics. The doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, warm herbal baths and exercise therapy.
OsteochondropathyLocal vascular disorders.Bed rest, physical therapy.
Achilles bursitisSwelling of the heel bag caused by improperly fitting shoes.Bandaging, heating, compresses, rest.
AchillodyniaInflammation of the Achilles tendon caused by exercise or uncomfortable shoes.SWT, in advanced cases - surgical intervention.
EpiphysitisDamage to cartilage or bone attachments caused by an overly active lifestylePhysiotherapy, restriction of physical activity, if necessary - vitamin complexes.
Schnitz's disease (we recommend reading:)Inflammation of the synovial bag, which leads to pain in the heel.Anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy.
TendinitisInflammation of tendon tissueAnti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics.
plantar fasciitisInflammatory-degenerative changes in the plantar fascia.Orthopedic devices, as needed - painkillers.
SprainSudden movements that exceed the normal amplitude of the joint.Bandaging, the first time - bed rest.
bruisesMechanical injury to the leg without damaging its skin.Depending on the severity. Light bruises go away on their own in 5-6 days. In severe conditions, painkillers may be taken.
Fracture in the heelSwipe. Often - a fall from a great height.Plaster, bed rest.

The cause of the pain may be a fracture in the heel region, in which case the child will be required to put a cast

To what doctor to address, what researches are carried out?

If your child has a heel pain, you should make an appointment with the pediatrician. He is a general practitioner and will be able to quickly determine what it could be. In complex cases that require specific diagnosis and treatment, the pediatrician will give a referral to narrow specialists - a traumatologist, neurologist or rheumatologist (depending on the alleged pathogenesis of pain).

Classical diagnosis includes the study of anamnesis and x-rays. The latter is performed only in the presence of severe pain in order to exclude a fracture. To exclude inflammatory diseases, you will need to donate blood for the presence of leukocytes and the determination of ESR. As a rule, examination and superficial palpation are sufficient for a specialist. The diagnosis will take no more than 9-10 minutes.

First aid for acute pain

In the vast majority of children under 7 years old, the heels hurt due to mechanical damage, so the first thing to do is to lay the child down. If it is clear that the cause of the symptom is an injury, examine the leg for swelling. Ice may be applied to relieve pain.

Self-administration of medications is not recommended for children under 10 years of age, as inappropriate use of pills can lead to health problems.

Types of therapy

Treatment, regardless of the diagnosis, will be complex. The doctor prescribes a list of drugs, taking into account the age of the patient, the type of disease and the severity of the condition. Another important event is physiotherapy. Foot baths, therapeutic exercises can be used, frequent exposure to fresh air is recommended. The need for certain actions is determined by the doctor.

Medical therapy

Pills in childhood should not be abused - this does not affect the growing body in the most favorable way. Before giving a medicine to a child, carefully study its composition to prevent allergies to any of the components and the occurrence of other adverse reactions. It is also necessary to pay attention to the minimum age limit from which the drug can be used.

Approximate treatment regimens for each pathology were described in the table above, so it is worth dwelling on specific drugs. Tablets are used taking into account the pathogenesis of the disease and are allowed only with an accurate diagnosis. If the cause of pain is nonspecific, analgesics are allowed (Nemisulide, Paracetamol), if infectious - antibiotics (Azithromycin, Amoxiclav). In inflammatory diseases, non-steroidal drugs (Ibuprofen) are prescribed.


Special orthopedic shoes

An equally important component of the treatment of heel pain is wearing the right shoes. Flat soles must be avoided, as they create additional stress on the heel due to pressure. Additionally, special orthopedic insoles are used. These devices help to redistribute the load on the longitudinal arches of the feet, and the leg is held in the correct position.

Physiotherapy

If at first rest and bed rest are the main assistants in recovery, then later a special exercise therapy may be prescribed. The set of exercises is individual for each case. The correctness of the performance of certain actions should be monitored by a specialist, since any amateur activity is dangerous. It is the attending physician who decides at what stage of the disease it is necessary to prescribe gymnastics.

What else can you do to help a child?

Additional ways to alleviate the course of the disease:

  • ice compresses, which help reduce swelling by reducing blood supply
  • application of a tourniquet in cases where there is severe blood loss;
  • dressings that facilitate gait by eliminating possible overload of the heel;
  • foot baths with the addition of anti-inflammatory preparations (chamomile, thyme, lemon balm);
  • wearing instep supports helps to form the correct position of the leg and speedy recovery.

If a child has a heel pain, then you should not postpone a visit to the doctor, because. this may be the first sign of the disease. First, a specialist examines a small patient, after which he prescribes an x-ray. These steps will help diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Causes of pain in children

Children lead an active lifestyle, they grow quickly, move a lot. This can cause stretch marks, leading to pain when walking.

Autumn is a period of excessive workload, as children begin to go to school, attend sections, go in for dancing, aerobics, athletics, and physical exercises. The main load falls on the foot area, which causes pain.

Also the reasons include:

  1. Inflammatory process.
  2. Clubfoot.
  3. Wearing tight shoes. Important: It is not recommended to use worn boots or shoes, even if they are orthopedic.

Among the provoking factors are:

  1. Scoliosis.
  2. Flat feet.
  3. The presence of an infection in the body.
  4. Lack of minerals and vitamin D in the body.
  5. congenital anomaly.

Do not ignore the complaints of the baby, leaving them unattended. It is important to determine when discomfort occurs and what caused it.

Possible diseases

In addition to bruises, fractures and stretch marks, one of the following diseases can be the cause.

Apophysitis

This is a subacute inflammatory process that accompanies the growth of the skeleton. It manifests itself in children involved in sports in the period from 8 to 13 years. In the first 7 years of life, the formation of the calcaneal bone occurs, cartilage tissue changes to bone. With excessive physical exertion, a gap appears at the site of the connective fibers, which causes inflammation.

Near the heel is the Achilles tendon, which is responsible for bending the leg. If it goes wrong, pain occurs. With apophysitis, the specialist prescribes painkillers, foot baths, therapeutic exercises, wearing insoles with arch supports.

Osteochondropathy

Swelling, swelling and redness appear in the heel area. The reason for this is a violation of the functionality of the endocrine glands, trauma, insufficient amount of calcium. Girls aged 11-12 often suffer. The doctor prescribes x-rays, massage, physiotherapy. With proper treatment, the symptoms disappear after 2 months.

This inflammation of the periarticular bag occurs as a result of bruises, dislocations, the presence of bacteria, colds. During the period of treatment, sports, active entertainment are prohibited. The doctor prescribes electrophoresis, massage. From folk remedies, cabbage with honey helps well.

The disease affects boys 9–10 years old and girls 7–8 years old. In the calcaneal tubercle, there is a violation of the ossification process, which leads to unpleasant sensations during walking. The skin becomes red, swelling appears, the body temperature rises. Causes: diseases of the cardiovascular system, genetic predisposition, physical activity. The specialist performs an examination, an X-ray is taken, if necessary, the ankle is fixed with plaster, in some cases electrophoresis, ultrasound, and physiotherapy are prescribed.

Tendinitis

Caused by inflammation and death of tendon tissues, which are gradually deformed. Accompanied by aching pain, swelling, occurs as a result of mechanical damage, metabolic disorders, the influence of medications. The examination is carried out by a traumatologist, x-rays are prescribed, tests are taken.

plantar fasciitis

The heel and toes are connected by the plantar fascia. With excessive force loads, the fibers can tear at the place where the fingers are attached to the calcaneus. The causes of heel spurs are flat feet, excess body weight, sports, improperly selected shoes. It is difficult for a child to stand up in the morning or after a state of rest. The examination is carried out by an orthopedist, with plantar fasciitis, massage and exercises are prescribed.

The method of treatment is determined depending on the symptoms. Therapy includes:

  1. Medical preparations. If an infection is detected, a course of antibiotics is prescribed, with swelling, redness - special ointments.
  2. Physiotherapy in the form of massage, ultrasound, therapeutic baths.
  3. Wearing specially selected orthopedic shoes.
  4. Physiotherapy. Recommended swimming, rollerblading, cycling, ballroom dancing.

With severe discomfort, droppers and injections are prescribed.

Pain relief methods

To relieve heel pain before visiting the doctor, it is recommended to apply something cold to the damaged area, you can run an ice cube over the foot. Cold will temporarily eliminate discomfort.

Medications containing ibuprofen or ointments that have a sedative effect are used.

Preventive measures

The first thing you need to provide your baby is the right diet, consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables. Vitamin intake is recommended, proteins and phosphorus will help strengthen bone tissue.

It is important to monitor the body weight of the child, excess weight harms both the feet and internal organs.

Intensified sports can lead to negative consequences, worsening the condition of bone tissues. Physical activity is the result of bruises, stretch marks. If after playing sports it hurts to step on the heel, then it is better to stop the exercises, continuing after full recovery.

One of the methods of prevention is the selection of comfortable shoes. The insole should contain an arch support that repeats the bend of the heel and all movements of the leg. As a result, the load on the sole will decrease.

A foot massage has a positive effect on the development of the child, which allows you to get rid of any discomfort, including pain in the heel area.

Teach your child from childhood to walk barefoot on stones, sand, pebbles, gravel. Such exercises will strengthen the joints and muscles of the feet. In winter, plastic covers can be made special for walking barefoot.