Causes of Heel Pain in Women
May 14, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Ge
Introduction
The fundamental cause of heel pain is aseptic inflammation, commonly resulting from chronic overuse or sports-related injuries. First, consider whether the shoes being worn fit properly; ill-fitting footwear can lead to retrocalcaneal bursitis. The bursal wall may become thickened, with fluid accumulation within the bursa, causing localized swelling and tenderness. Second, heel pain may arise from pathological conditions affecting the calcaneal bone, joints, bursae, or fascia.
There are numerous causes of heel pain; however, the fundamental underlying cause is inflammation—specifically, aseptic (non-infectious) inflammation. This type of inflammation commonly results from chronic overuse or sports-related injuries, and differs from bacterial infections as commonly understood in daily life.
First, consider whether your footwear fits properly. Women who frequently wear high heels may develop retrocalcaneal bursitis due to friction and irritation caused by ill-fitting high-heeled shoes. The bursal wall may thicken, the bursa may fill with fluid, and localized swelling and tenderness may occur.
Second, heel pain may stem from pathological changes affecting the calcaneal bone, joints, bursae, or fascia. A common example is plantar fasciitis, which typically affects individuals who stand or walk for prolonged periods. Chronic, low-grade trauma leads to pain on one or both sides of the heel, without visible redness or swelling, and impairs walking ability.
Lastly, excessive fatigue can also cause heel pain—for instance, spending an entire day shopping places significant repetitive stress on the feet, easily triggering heel discomfort. Wearing poorly fitting shoes further exacerbates this pain.
