Heel Injuries and Disorders

Summary

Heel problems are common and can be painful. Often, they result from too much stress on your heel bone and the tissues that surround it. That stress can come from:

• Injuries
• Bruises that you get walking, running or jumping
• Wearing shoes that don’t fit or aren’t made well
• Being overweight

These can lead to tendinitis, bursitis, and fasciitis, which are all types of inflammation of the tissues that surround your heel. Over time the stress can cause bone spurs and deformities. Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout, can also lead to heel problems. Treatments for heel problems might include rest, medicines, exercises, taping, and special shoes. Surgery is rarely needed.

Patient Handouts

• Achilles tendinitis Medical Encyclopedia
• Achilles tendon repair Medical Encyclopedia
• Achilles tendon rupture – aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
• Bursitis of the heel Medical Encyclopedia
• Heel pain Medical Encyclopedia
• Heel pain and Achilles tendonitis — aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
• Plantar fasciitis Medical Encyclopedia

Specifics

• Achilles Tendinitis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Achilles Tendon Rupture Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Calcaneus (Heel Bone) Fractures American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• Cracked Heels American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• Haglund’s Deformity American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• Medial and Lateral Plantar Nerve Entrapment Merck & Co., Inc.
• Plantar Fasciitis American Academy of Family Physicians

Find an Expert

• American Podiatric Medical Association American Podiatric Medical Association
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Diagnosis and Tests

• Bone X-Ray (Radiography) Radiological Society of North America
• Foot Problems American Academy of Family Physicians
• Search the Foot and Ankle: Interactive Foot Diagram American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

Treatments and Therapies

• Brisement American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
• Percutaneous Achilles Tendon Lengthening American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
• Prescription Custom Orthotics and Shoe Inserts American Podiatric Medical Association

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Achilles Tendon Injuries National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Fasciitis, Plantar National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Heel Injuries National Institutes of Health

Children

• Don’t Ignore Your Kid’s Heel Pain American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• Sever’s Disease American Academy of Family Physicians

Living With

• Foot and Ankle Rehabilitation Exercises American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Reference Desk

• Glossary of Foot and Ankle Terms American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society

Start Here

• Heel Pain American Podiatric Medical Association

Journal Articles

• Heel Injuries and Disorders