Your heel likely hurts after jumping from a height due to the impact causing a bruised heel. This is a common injury resulting from sudden trauma.
Understanding the Bruised Heel
A bruised heel, also called a heel contusion, happens when the soft tissues of your heel, particularly the fat pad, are injured. This often occurs during activities that involve hard landings, like jumping from a height.
- Impact: When you land from a jump, the force of the impact is absorbed by your heel.
- Fat Pad Injury: The fat pad beneath the heel bone acts as a cushion, but it can be injured if the impact is too forceful.
- Pain: This injury results in pain, often localized at the bottom or back of the heel.
Time to Heal
According to the reference:
- A bruised heel can take up to three weeks to heal, as the injured fat pad needs time to recover.
- If the bone is also injured, healing may take even longer.
How to Manage a Bruised Heel
While the heel heals, there are things you can do to manage pain and promote healing:
- Rest: Avoid activities that aggravate the pain.
- Ice: Apply ice to the affected area several times a day for 15-20 minutes.
- Elevation: Keep your foot elevated when resting.
- Cushioning: Use heel pads or supportive shoes to reduce pressure on the heel.
- Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help manage pain.
Here’s a summary in table form:
| Cause | Symptom | Healing Time (Approx.) | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sudden, hard impact on heel | Pain in the heel, especially on landing | Up to three weeks | Rest, ice, elevation, cushioning |
| Potentially injured bone | Increased or prolonged pain | Possibly longer | Seek medical advice |
If your pain is severe or doesn't improve after a few weeks, it’s best to consult a doctor to rule out a bone injury or other issues.
