The most common foot complaint is heel pain, according to MayoClinic.com, which adds that heels endure 60 tons of stress for every mile walked. Ill-fitting shoes, too much exercise and excess weight exacerbate the stress on the heels. Heel pain can be severe. Treatment for heel pain typically entails rest, using foot supports, and performing strengthening and stretching exercises. Treatment for heel pain very seldom involves surgery.
Heel Bursitis
Heel bursitis causes heel pain, according to MayoClinic.com. It occurs when bursae become inflamed. Bursae are the small fluid-filled pads that buffer the areas around the tendons, bones and muscles in the heels. Repetitive motions are associated with this condition.
Plantar Fasciitis
The most common source of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, reports MayoClinic.com. It stems from an inflammation of a band of tissue--plantar fascia--located throughout the bottom of the foot connecting the heel bones to the toes. According to MayoClinic.com, plantar fasciitis causes intense pain during the first steps of the morning, with the pain decreasing over the course of the day. However, standing or coming out of a seated position after extended periods of time can lead to a return of the pain. Plantar fasciitis typically affects runners, overweight people and pregnant women. It can also affect people who wear shoes without enough support.
Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are bony projections that grow on bone edges. According to Medline Plus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, bone spurs alone are not a source of heel pain; this condition operates in tandem with plantar fasciitis to cause pain. If plantar fasciitis is treated, bone spurs are not problematic.
Achilles Tendinitis
Another cause of heel pain is Achilles tendinitis, according to MayoClinic.com. It occurs when the Achilles tendon, the area that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, becomes inflamed. Typically, Achilles tendinitis stems from an injury sustained from physical activity, such as running, jumping or intense exercise.
