Heel pain when you’re walking can make everyday tasks quite difficult.

It can limit your mobility and keep you from enjoying leisure activities.

In severe cases, like a torn Achilles tendon, heel pain might require surgery.

Close up shot of woman clutching at heel with pain from walking

VioletaStoimenova / Getty Images

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitisis one of the most common causes of heel pain.

Age is also a factorthis condition is most common in people 40 to 60.

Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon is the structure that connects your calf muscles to your heels.

Pain typically occurs in the back of your heel and can be severe the day after an intense workout.

Your shoes rubbing against it throughout the day can make it worse.

Achilles tendonitis can also cause swelling and stiffness.

The fat pad’s job is to absorb pressure when you’re walking.

Sometimes, the exact cause of a stone bruise is unknown.

Bursitis

Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that provide cushioning between structures in the joints throughout your body.

Bursitis is a condition that comes up whenever these structures get inflamed.

It can happen in the back of the heel, underneath the Achilles tendon.

It is typically due to ankle overuse, often from running or repetitive jumping.

Heel Spur

Spurs can develop on bones throughout your body, including your heels.

For example,heel spurscommonly develop from long-term, untreated plantar fasciitis.

Heel spurs do not typically cause painthey occur as a side effect of other painful conditions.

Injuries

Stress fracturesand other injuries can affect the heel.

Heel pain can also occur from compression of the calcaneal nerve (also called Baxter’s nerve).

This condition is usually a side effect of other foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or bone spurs.

Summary

Heel pain can occur from various conditions and affect your ability to complete daily tasks.

Heel pain can be a sign of issues with your ligaments, tendons, or bones in your feet.

Other symptoms related to heel pain can include swelling, inflammation, and warmth.

Home remedies such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation can reduce symptoms.

Physical therapy can also be beneficial.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.What are NSAIDs?

Amercian Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Achilles tendon rupture (tear).

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Foot and ankle conditioning program.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Plantar fasciitis and bone spurs.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Achilles tendinitis.

A scoping review of heel fat pad syndrome.J Foot Ankle Res.

2022;15(1):60. doi:10.1186/s13047-022-00568-x

Mount Sinai.Bursitis of the heel.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Heel pain.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Stress fractures of the foot and ankle.

2023;14(1):166. doi:10.1186/s13244-023-01514-6