Therapy for Heel Pain

Heel pain is a symptom of a number of different injuries and disorders, including plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, trauma, bursitis and Achilles tendinitis. The severity of a heel-related ailment may range from minor discomfort to extreme pain and disability, and the treatment of symptoms varies according to the particular source of damage.

Plantar Fasciitis

• Plantar fasciitis results from inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. If you have this condition, your main symptom will be pain on the bottom of your heel. Treatment for plantar fasciitis usually begins with the use of home remedies, including rest; stretching exercises for your heel and calf muscles; the application of ice packs several times a day; and the use of arch supports and footwear with slightly raised heels. Avoid walking barefoot whenever possible and lose weight if you carry excess pounds. You may also use over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications to relieve pain, but the potential side effects of these drugs make their use limited at best.

  If your pain does not improve, your doctor will be able to provide you with additional options. Potential choices include pads to place in your shoes; custom orthotic (support) devices for your shoes; and the temporary use of a walking cast. You may also benefit from physical therapy or the direct injection of corticosteroid anti-inflammatories into the heel area. Consult your doctor for a full list of options.

Heel Spurs

• Heel spurs are abnormal bone growths or protrusions that can form at the connection of the heel and the plantar fascia. If you have heel spurs, your treatment regimen will be more or less the same as that for plantar fasciitis, with particular emphasis placed on rest, heel stretches and proper shoe padding.

Trauma

• Trauma or bruising of the heel can result from contact with any hard or unyielding surface. It can develop from a single incident or repeated exposure. Unless you suffer structural damage, treatment essentially consists of rest and pain relief until the injury heals. If structural damage such as a stress fracture is present, you will need to address this underlying condition. Consult your doctor for diagnosis of persistent unaddressed heel pain, as well as for surgical and nonsurgical treatment options.

Heel Bursitis

• Heel bursitis (inflammation of the protective bursa sac) may result from excessive physical activity or shoes that fit improperly. It is marked by pain in the back of the heel. You may ease heel bursitis by limiting or ceasing aggravating activity and by wearing proper footwear. You will also likely benefit from stretching exercises, pain medication and the application of ice. See your doctor if you believe heel bursitis is present.

Achilles Tendinitis

• Achilles tendinitis, or inflammation of the Achilles tendon, may arise for the same reasons as heel bursitis. It is characterized by pain at the top of the heel, which may extend up into the calf. Treatment for Achilles tendinitis is the same as for heel bursitis.