Chronic Heal Pain Can Be A Sign of Cancer – Here’s How You Get It Under Control

Have you ever wondered if that nagging heel pain was something more than just wear and tear? Is heel pain a sign of cancer? It is a question that might sound a bit alarming. But it is worth diving into, especially if you have been struggling with persistent discomfort. While often linked to less severe conditions like plantar fasciitis, in rare instances, chronic heel pain can indeed be a signal of something as serious as cancer.

Master / Pexels / Are you struggling with severe heel pain? Here is everything you need to know about the issue and the potential solution.

What Causes Heel Pain?

Before jumping to any conclusions about cancer, it is crucial to understand the most common culprit behind heel pain: Plantar fasciitis. This condition involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes.

Plantar fasciitis typically causes a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As you get up and move more, the pain normally decreases. However, it might return after long periods of standing or when you stand up after sitting for a long time.

Is Heel Pain A Sign of Cancer?

While plantar fasciitis accounts for the majority of heel pain cases, there are instances when pain in your heel could be a sign of something more serious, like cancer. Is heel pain a sign of cancer, then? In some rare cases, yes. Certain types of cancers, such as bone cancer or metastatic cancers (cancers that spread to other parts of the body), can cause significant pain in the bones, including those in the heel.

Thus, this type of pain tends to be deep, penetrating, and persistently troublesome, often worsening at night or with rest.

Olly / Pexels / Cancer can cause a painful lesion on the heel bone, which can result in chronic heel pain.

Constant heel pain can wreak havoc on your daily life, affecting everything from your ability to walk and perform daily activities to impacting your overall quality of life. Chronic pain can lead to a cascade of other issues, including sleep disturbances, decreased mobility, and even emotional and psychological stress.

The frustration and limitations that come with ongoing discomfort can be profound. This makes it essential to address heel pain thoroughly and effectively.

How Cancer Causes Heel Pain?

In the context of cancer, heel pain arises when malignant cells invade or exert pressure on the heel bone (calcaneus) or surrounding structures. For instance, a primary bone cancer like osteosarcoma can originate in the heel bone, causing pain, swelling, and increased sensitivity in the area.

Apart from that, cancers that metastasize to the bone from other parts of the body, such as breast, lung, or prostate cancer, can also lead to significant heel pain as the cancer cells weaken and damage the bone structure.

How to Overcome Heel Pain?

Now that we have addressed the grim part, let’s focus on overcoming heel pain, regardless of its cause. Treatment varies based on the underlying condition but typically includes:

Matt / Pexels / Custom-made or over-the-counter shoe inserts (Orthotics) can provide support to the arch of the foot and reduce stress on the heel.

• Physical therapy: Engaging in specific exercises that stretch and strengthen the foot muscles and plantar fascia can alleviate pressure on the heel, reducing pain.
• Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and inflammation. In cases related to cancer, more potent medications might be prescribed.

However, surgery is also a reliable option. In persistent cases of plantar fasciitis or if cancer is involved, surgical intervention might be necessary to relieve pressure or remove tumors affecting the heel bone.