What could be causing pain when pressing slightly in front of the heel?

In general, pain when pressing just in front of the heel may be caused by overuse, ill-fitting shoes, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or gouty arthritis. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Overuse: Prolonged standing, walking, or physical activity can place continuous stress on the muscles and fascia in front of the heel, leading to tenderness upon pressure. Reducing foot loading, avoiding prolonged standing or walking, and soaking feet in warm water before bedtime can help relieve muscle tension and gradually reduce pain.

2. Ill-fitting shoes: Wearing shoes that are too tight, too soft, or have excessively hard soles can cause uneven pressure on the area just in front of the heel, resulting in pain when pressed. Switching to comfortable shoes with proper arch support and moderately cushioned soles can reduce localized foot pressure and improve pain symptoms.

3. Plantar fasciitis: Repeated strain and micro-tears in the plantar fascia lead to inflammation, causing significant pain when pressing just in front of the heel. Pain often worsens with the first steps in the morning or after prolonged rest. Patients may take medications such as celecoxib capsules, diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, or eperisone hydrochloride tablets as prescribed. Additionally, plantar fascia release surgery may be performed to relieve fascial tension.

4. Heel spur: Bone spurs form due to calcaneal bone overgrowth, irritating surrounding tissues and causing tenderness just in front of the heel, with pain possibly intensifying during walking. Patients may take ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, naproxen tablets, or glucosamine hydrochloride capsules as directed by a physician. In severe cases, surgical removal of the heel spur may be necessary to eliminate irritation.

5. Gouty arthritis: Deposition of urate crystals in the joints near the heel triggers inflammation, causing tenderness upon pressure, often accompanied by redness, swelling, and warmth in the joint. Patients may take colchicine tablets, allopurinol tablets, or febuxostat tablets as prescribed to control uric acid levels and reduce inflammatory response.

For daily care, it is important to keep feet warm, avoid strenuous exercise, and wear appropriate footwear. Gentle foot stretching exercises can also help strengthen the resilience of the foot muscles and fascia, reducing the frequency of pain episodes.