Heel pain may come and go or it may be constant. It can come on suddenly or develop gradually over time. Often, a proper diagnosis of the cause of heel pain depends on a thorough description of when and how the pain occurs. Treatment for most causes of heel pain is often simple and mostly involves resting and letting the problem heal on its own.
Plantar Fasciitis
When the band of tissue called the plantar fascia becomes swollen and irritated, plantar fasciitis is the result. The plantar fascia, which runs foot from heel to toes along the bottom of the foot, supports the basic activities of the foot, including walking. Heel pain from plantar fasciitis generally feels worse in the morning or after sitting for a long time and it gets worse over time unless treated, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Shoe inserts, medication to relieve pain and inflammation, and stretching exercises are the typical treatments for plantar fasciitis.
Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis affects the Achilles tendon, which connects the muscles of the calf to the bone of the heel, the calcaneus. In Achilles tendinitis, the tendon becomes inflamed, either through repetitive use or because of a sudden injury to the back of the tendon, explains MayoClinic.com. The Achilles tendon supports the foot during jumping, lifting on the toes and running, and these activities can be severely hampered by Achilles tendinitis. Treatment for Achilles tendinitis usually involves easing the pain with medication and performing exercises to strengthen and stretch the tendon and the associated calf muscles.
Heel Bursitis
Bursitis is a swelling of the bursae, small structures that cushion and protect areas where two structures in the body rub together. In heel bursitis, the affected area is the bursae on either side of the Achilles tendon, between the tendon and calcaneus and between the tendon and the outer skin of the heel. Often caused by shoes that fit poorly, this problem manifests as a red, swollen, tender area on the back of the heel, explains the American Academy of Family Physicians. Bursitis is treated with pain medication, the application of ice to the area and wearing shoes or shoe inserts to protect the area while it heals.
Calcaneal Stress Fractures
Calcaneal stress fractures, small fractures in the bone of the heel, most often occur as a result of sports injuries, especially from sports that involve running or jumping, or in people with bone loss from diseases such as osteoporosis or osteopenia, explains the American Academy of Family Physicians. These fractures are typically treated with simple rest and staying off the foot until it is healed.
