Heel Pain

Heel pain is usually caused by overuse. The most common causes are:

Plantar fasciitis - inflammation of the ligament (a piece of strong, thin tissue) that connects your heel bone to your toes called the plantar fascia. It runs along the bottom of your foot. Pain from plantar fasciitis may be worse when you first get out of bed and is usually felt in the sole of the foot and the bottom of the heel. It usually eases after a few minutes of walking.

Achilles tendonitis - inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which runs from your heel to your calf. This can be caused by tight calf muscles and overuse. It often causes pain behind your heel. It might hurt to rise to stand on your toes. Gently stretching your calf might help. 

Arthritis

Other common causes of heel pain may be:

• blisters
• corns
• heel bursitis (inflammation of the back of your heel) the bursa
• heel contusion (heel bruise)
• stress fracture of the heel bone
• tarsal tunnel syndrome (a pinched nerve)
• osteomyelitis (infection of the bone)
• warts

Heel pain treatment

If you have plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis your doctor may recommend rest and treatments including stretching and strengthening your calf muscles, and the small muscles of the foot.

Initial treatment for heel pain include:

• applying ice packs
• anti-inflammatory medicines or painkillers
• losing any excess weight to reduce the stress on your feet
• night splints or strapping
• stopping the activities that caused your problem
• strapping your foot or wearing compression socks
• wearing supportive shoes or orthotics