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.
- Heel Pain(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00159
- Heel Pain(American Podiatric Medical Association) - http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/Foot-Health/FootHealthBrochures/GeneralFootHealthBrochures/HeelPain.aspx
- Keep On Walkin': Fixes for America's Top Foot Problem - Painful Heels(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2006_archives/2006_03_04/Keep_on_Walkin_YHM.asp
- Orthotic Devices(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00172&return_link=0
- Orthotics(American Podiatric Medical Association) - http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/Foot-Health/FootHealthBrochures/GeneralFootHealthBrochures/Orthotics.aspx
- Rearfoot Surgery(American Podiatric Medical Association) - http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/Foot-Health/FootHealthBrochures/GeneralFootHealthBrochures/RearfootSurgery.aspx
- Achilles Tendinitis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/achilles-tendinitis/DS00737/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Achilles Tendon Rupture(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/achilles-tendon-rupture/DS00160/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Cracked Heels(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/what-is/ns_cracked-heels.htm
- Fractures of the Heel(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00169
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Haglund's Deformity(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/haglunds-deformity.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/deformidad-de-haglund.htm
- Inferior Calcaneal Bursitis(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/print/sec05/ch072/ch072g.html
- Medial Plantar Nerve Entrapment(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/print/sec05/ch072/ch072d.html
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Plantar Fasciitis: A Common Cause of Heel Pain(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/140.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/physical/injuries/140.printerview.html
- Callus(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/callus.htm
- Heel Pain(DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/heel-pain/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Fasciitis, Plantar
(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Fasciitis,+Plantar%22
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Achilles Tendon Injuries(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Achilles+Tendon%22
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Management of calcaneal fractures using the Ilizarov external fixator. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19358399&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Effectiveness of prefabricated and customized foot orthoses made from low-cost... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19345789&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Intraoperative 3D imaging in calcaneal fracture care-clinical implications and decision... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19276751&tool=MedlinePlus
- Heel Injuries and Disorders -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(heel[majr]+OR+heel+spur[majr]+OR+calcaneus/injuries[majr]+OR+calcaneus/abnormalities[majr]+OR+fasciitis,plantar[majr])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Find a Physician (Podiatrist)(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/findphysician/default.htm?disclaimer=1
- Find an Orthopaedist(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://www6.aaos.org/about/public/members.cfm
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - http://www.aaos.org/
- American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons - http://www.acfas.org/
- American Podiatric Medical Association - http://www.apma.org/
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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/
- If the Shoe Fits, Wear It(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00146&return_link=0
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Pediatric Heel Pain(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/pediatric-heel-pain.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/dolor-de-talon-infantil.htm
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Sever's Disease: A Common Cause of Heel Pain(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/158.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/physical/injuries/158.printerview.html
- Foot Health - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/foothealth.html
- Foot Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/footinjuriesanddisorders.html
- Bones, Joints and Muscles - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bonesjointsandmuscles.html
- Injuries and Wounds - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/injuriesandwounds.html