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General health information

Heel pain and heel spurs

People often use 'heel spur' to mean pain under the heel caused by irritation of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue along the sole, even when no actual bony spur is visible on an X-ray. Pain is often worst with the first steps after resting. Recovery usually involves managing activity more carefully, suitable footwear and patience, rather than complete rest or pushing too hard too soon.

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  • 'Heel spur' is a common name for pain under the heel. It often involves irritation of the strong band of tissue along the sole, even when no clear bony spur is visible.
  • Pain is usually sharp with the first steps after sleeping or sitting for a while. It may then ease somewhat, but returns with a lot of standing or walking.
  • Recovery usually calls for neither complete rest nor pushing through pain. Adjusting activity and building up gradually often works better than stopping everything or forcing yourself.
  • Other causes of heel pain need consideration if symptoms do not fit the usual pattern, start suddenly after an accident or occur with redness, fever or numbness.

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Further reading

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Outer hip painPain on the outside of the hip is often caused by irritation of the gluteal tendons around the bony prominence at the hip. Adjusting activities and targeted exercise therapy usually help more than prolonged rest.
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