Heel Pain

Heel pain can be caused by obesity, abnormal walking style, standing or walking or running on hard surfaces and wearing ill-fitting shoes. Some of the conditions related to heel pain include:

• Plantar fasciitis

• Bursitis

• Achilles tendinitis

• Bone spurs

• Calcaneus fracture

• Haglund's deformity: bone enlargement at the back of the heel

• Tarsal tunnel syndrome: compression of nerves at the back of the foot

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Symptoms

Heel pain may be felt under or behind the heel, mostly during walking, jogging and running. It may be sharp and stabbing when you first stand up early in the morning or get up after sitting for long hours. Pain may also be associated with swelling, inflammation, numbness and/or a tingling sensation.

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Treatment

Treatment of heel pain completely relies on the causes. The conventional treatments are:

• Rest from activities that causes stress on the heel

• Applying ice packs to help reduce pain and inflammation

• Regular exercise and foot massage

• Wearing proper shoes, heel cups, professional heel straps and night splints

• Anti-inflammatory medication (topical or oral)

• Surgery may be recommended in some cases