Heel Pain

There are many different potential causes of heel pain. Some of the most common causes include:

• Plantar fasciitis — Typically caused by overuse, plantar fasciitis occurs when there’s inflammation in the area where the plantar fascia connects to the heel bone. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. Pain from plantar fasciitis usually occurs in the heel or in the neighboring area.

• Plantar warts — The human papillomavirus is responsible for plantar warts, warts that form on the bottoms of the feet, usually on the heel and the ball of the foot. Plantar warts can be painful due to pressure from walking and standing. In some cases, plantar warts can grow inward beneath the skin.

• Achilles tendinitis — A common overuse injury, Achilles tendinitis occurs when the Achilles tendon becomes irritated and develops inflammation. The Achilles tendon is a band of connective tissue that attaches the heel bone to the calf muscle.

• Heel spurs — Caused by calcium deposits, heel spurs are bony growths that form underneath the heel bone. While heel spurs often cause no trouble, some can cause pain.

• Heel bursitis — A common condition among athletes, heel bursitis occurs when the bursa near the heel bone becomes inflamed. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that prevent bone from rubbing against neighboring tissues.

• Achilles rupture — Usually a result of playing sports, a rupture or tear can occur in the Achilles tendon. In some cases, people experience a partial rupture. In other cases, there’s a complete rupture. 

• Arthritis — Certain types of arthritis can affect the joints of the foot and cause heel pain. Examples include osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• Calcaneal stress fracture — While it’s not common, heel pain can occur due to a calcaneal stress fracture, a condition where tiny cracks develop in the heel bone. 

• Athlete’s foot — A fungal infection of the skin on the feet, athlete’s foot can cause soreness, cracks and burning on the heel area.

• Long periods of standing — Some people experience pain in the heel area after a long day of standing. The constant pressure can result in discomfort in the soles of the feet, including in the heel area.

There is no way to cure heel pain fast. Some types of heel pain may improve or even completely resolve within a few weeks with rest and at-home therapies, such as icing and over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). In other cases, heel pain may require more healing time in addition to medical intervention. See your doctor if your pain is severe, or if it occurred suddenly. Successfully curing heal pain may require a proper evaluation and diagnosis from a healthcare provider. If prescription medications or clinical procedures are recommended, it’s important to adhere to your treatment plan for the best possible outcome.

There are a number of ways to help relieve heel pain, depending on the cause and degree of the pain. If you’re unsure of what’s causing your pain, and it’s severe or came on suddenly, see your doctor. Some cases of heel pain are due to a serious injury, which may require medical attention. For mild to moderate heel pain, consider these tips based on the following conditions:

• Plantar warts — If you have heel pain due to plantar warts, over-the-counter treatment products can help eliminate them while minimizing painful pressure. Dr. Scholl’s® Plantar Wart Remover with Hydrogel Technology features medicated discs to remove warts along with hydrogel bandages for pain relief.

• Athlete’s foot — If you have heel pain from athlete’s foot, treat the infection with an over-the-counter antifungal medication. Dr. Scholl’s Instant Cool Athlete’s Foot Treatment Spray clears up fungal infections with the medication tolnaftate. The treatment spray also alleviates painful itching and burning with cooling menthol.

• Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs — Pain associated with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs often resolves with at-home remedies. These include over-the-counter pain relievers, icing and rest. You might also try using orthotics. Dr. Scholl’s® Plantar Fasciitis All-Day Pain Relief Orthotics are designed to ease pressure on tender heels. They can even help reduce pain that occurs first thing in the morning upon rising, which is typical with heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. You might also consider Dr. Scholl’s® Pain Relief Orthotics for Heel Pain. They absorb painful shock and provide extra support in the heel area to ease discomfort. 

• Long hours on the feet — If you experience heel pain and general sore soles from long days spent on your feet, consider specialty orthotics. Dr. Scholl’s® Pain Relief Orthotics for Sore Soles feature massaging nodules and Shock Guard® Technology to alleviate pressure and revitalize tired feet.

• Arthritis — If you have heel pain from arthritis, there are a number of self-care remedies and over-the-counter products that may be helpful. Rest and icing can help ease pain and inflammation. Oral NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen, can also reduce arthritis pain the heel. You may also benefit from topical treatments containing the NSAID diclofenac sodium. Dr. Scholl’s® Arthritis Pain Reliever contains 1% diclofenac sodium to ease pain and inflammation from arthritis. Orthotics can also be helpful for painful joints in the lower body. Dr. Scholl’s® Arthritis Support Insoles Pain can help alleviate osteoarthritis pain in the feet, including the heel. If heel pain from arthritis is severe, see your doctor. There are prescription treatments and medical procedures that may be helpful, such as cortisone injections, and prescription NSAIDs and pain relievers.

• Achilles tendinitis — Heel pain from Achilles tendinitis often improves with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers. You might also try shoe inserts, such as heel cushions, that elevate the heel area to redirect pressure away from the Achilles tendon. Dr. Scholl’s® Comfort Heel Cushions absorb shock and reduce stress on the heel area. The slim design allows for an easy fit in most types of shoes. 

If you have heel pain that’s severe or comes on suddenly, see your doctor. They can evaluate your condition, order any necessary tests and recommend treatment options.

Heel pain should always be taken seriously. However, many cases of mild and moderate heel pain can be managed at home with lifestyle changes and at-home remedies, such as icing, rest, over-the-counter pain relievers and shoe inserts. See your doctor if your pain doesn’t improve after two or three weeks despite trying these remedies.

If your pain comes on suddenly, or it’s severe, see your doctor. Certain injuries and health conditions can cause heel pain, and treatment under a doctor’s supervision may be necessary.

How long heel pain lasts depends on the cause of the pain as well as the severity of the condition, your overall health and recovery efforts. Heel pain from chronic conditions, such as arthritis, may require ongoing pain management. 

• Heel pain from bursitis typically improves within a few weeks if treated promptly. 

• It usually takes several months for the pain from Achilles tendinitis or an Achilles tendon rupture to resolve. 

• With plantar fasciitis and heel spurs, some people feel an improvement after just a few weeks with appropriate treatment. However, some people find that it takes up to a year for the pain to fully resolve.

• Pain from a stress fracture of the heel bone (calcaneal stress fracture) usually resolves in two to three months with proper treatment.

Recovery time depends largely on how well you adhere to your treatment plan. If you’re being treated by a doctor, it’s important to follow your doctor’s treatment instructions carefully. Take any medications as instructed and comply with all recommendations.