Medical expert of the article
New publications
Heel bursitis
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Heel bursitis is an inflammation that in most cases is also characterized by acute pain.
This problem occurs due to improperly selected footwear, a wound that is not treated in time, and even excessive physical activity. This phenomenon will be discussed in more detail below.
Causes of heel bursitis
Do you know the main causes of heel bursitis and how to get rid of it? There are two main causes of this disease. So, the first reason is infectious. So, bursitis can occur as a result of bruises, cuts and even small abrasions. Pathogenic microbes can easily penetrate the abrasion. Sometimes the infection gets through the lymphatic system, as a result of diseases such as boils and erysipelas. This is the first reason for the occurrence of bursitis, the second is called mechanical. So, in this case, prolonged wearing of uncomfortable shoes can provoke the development of bursitis.
Often women have heel inflammation when they wear shoes with too high a heel. The fact is that the synovial sac can become deformed if the foot is in an unusual position. That is why inflammation occurs. Therefore, you should pay more attention to shoes and try to choose something of higher quality and comfort. In this case, you should not worry about heel bursitis.
[ Symptoms of heel bursitis
What symptoms of heel bursitis do you know? Naturally, everything manifests itself as a common swelling. But this is only at first, then various unpleasant sensations begin to appear. So, the skin begins to turn red and even the temperature rises. A real inflammatory process begins, which makes itself known by sharp pain. Moreover, it can intensify when walking or when pressing on the affected area. But this symptom can be attributed to the acute form, and it occurs most often in athletes. The fact is that this form is the most dangerous, because microbes can get to the inflamed area. In this case, a purulent process cannot be avoided. If purulent contents get into the joint cavity, the situation takes on a completely different character. So, this can be considered an advanced form.
If we are talking about traumatic bursitis, then everything is a little different. In the deformed bag, fluid is formed. As a rule, this is plasma and blood. If the reverse process is observed, then changes can occur in the walls of the pockets. Therefore, such phenomena as thickening, growth and even the formation of additional walls cannot be avoided. It is simply impossible not to notice this. In this case, immediate medical intervention is necessary. When adolescent bursitis is observed, not only unpleasant sensations can occur, but also a relapse. Therefore, if any inflammation, unpleasant sensations and even sharp pain occur, you should consult a doctor. Heel bursitis is a rather serious disease.
Where does it hurt?
Diagnosis of heel bursitis
How is heel bursitis diagnosed? First of all, a clinical examination is performed, which also includes palpation. After all, it is necessary to determine why the inflammation occurred. This is done by pressing or moving. In order to assess the inflammation, you need to pay attention to some symptoms. So, is there redness, pain, swelling, as well as a violation of some functions.
If the situation is quite serious, then you cannot do without an X-ray examination. Thanks to it, you will be able to examine the joint in two projections, which will help to exclude bone damage. And finally, it is necessary to examine the fluid that is in the synovial bag. Thus, rheumatism can be excluded. Thanks to this procedure, it is easier to prescribe drug therapy. Ultimately, three types of diagnostics are performed, but everything is based on the appearance of the inflammation and the resulting symptoms. So, heel bursitis is a rather unpleasant phenomenon, but if you start treatment in time, then soon you can easily get rid of all the unpleasant sensations.
What do need to examine?
Who to contact?
Treatment of heel bursitis
What treatment for heel bursitis is effective and what should be preferred? First of all, you need to ensure rest for the joint. So, this can be done with a splint or a tight bandage. In this case, you should follow this for 10 days. But at the same time, it is recommended to carefully bend and unbend the joint, but this should be done no more than 2 times a day. Antibiotics also help well, but they are usually used for an infectious type of disease. If we are talking about an acute stage, then cold will be appropriate. It is necessary to apply it to the inflamed part for about 10 minutes. This will reduce the temperature. Sometimes, instead of cold, you should use a heating pad or any warming ointment. For a good effect, it is recommended to alternate cold and hot compresses.
In particularly serious cases, special hormonal drugs are injected into the joint capsule. These include hydrocortisone and Kenalog-40. But in order for the effect to be noticeable, antibiotics should still be taken. When the inflammatory process begins to subside, alcohol compresses can be applied at night. Physiotherapy procedures are often prescribed.
If we are talking about a non-infectious disease, then a regular painkiller, anti-inflammatory ointments and medical patches will do. In some cases, the mucous membrane of the bursa is punctured in order to drain the fluid. But such an action can only have a temporary effect. When a purulent process forms, the bursa must be removed so that this does not entail serious consequences. And finally, with chronic bursitis, calcium deposits are sometimes removed, but this is done in rare cases. Heel bursitis is a rather serious phenomenon that can lead to relapses.
Treatment of heel bursitis with folk remedies
What does treating heel bursitis with folk remedies mean? It is important to understand that in some cases such treatment may simply be inappropriate. However, you can try to solve the problem with folk medicine. So, first of all, you should steam the heel, an ordinary bath will do for this. After that, you should apply a special compress, which will be based on lard. Such procedures will be effective only if you do them daily. The course of treatment is 14 days.
In addition, you can make cooling compresses using ice. In order to warm up the foot, it will be enough to simply apply a heating pad. In addition, it is recommended to eliminate special stress on the heel. In this case, orthopedic shoes will come to the rescue. In general, you do not need to resort to traditional medicine on your own. The first thing you should do is seek help from an experienced doctor, because in fact the situation can be quite complicated. Heel bursitis can take many "forms", and some of them are quite unpleasant.
Prevention of heel bursitis
Is there a specific prevention of heel bursitis? If a person adheres to all preventive measures, then no problems will be scary for him. So, first of all, it is worth avoiding overstraining the ligaments and muscles. Therefore, when doing physical exercises, it is still worth knowing the measure and giving the body a rest. If it is not possible to completely limit yourself from stress, you should simply use protective equipment. In this case, an ordinary elastic bandage comes to the rescue. In addition, you need to carefully select shoes. After all, they should not restrict movement and certainly not create discomfort.
In addition, it is recommended to regularly massage the feet and do special gymnastics. Only in this way can you really predict the development of the disease and completely eliminate it. If an injury or wound was received, it must be treated immediately. After all, infectious bursitis of the heel is the most common phenomenon. In most cases, the patients themselves are to blame for its development. If the treatment of the abrasion did not give anything and in addition to the wound, redness and swelling appeared, you must immediately seek help. In this case, qualified help is needed.
Heel bursitis prognosis
What is the prognosis for heel bursitis and is it worth worrying about? As a rule, if quality treatment was provided, then no problems should arise in the future. But still, in some cases, relapses occur. And sometimes we are not even talking about the quality of treatment. Therefore, it is still worth not only following all the doctor's recommendations, but also observing some preventive measures.
So, you should choose the right shoes, because in most cases it is they that cause bursitis. It is advisable not to overload the joints, give the muscles a rest. It is worth paying special attention to relapses. They rarely occur without a reason. The fact is that people after successful treatment begin to lead their usual way of life and completely forget about what they recently suffered. That is why repeated inflammation occurs.
If you follow all the recommendations of your doctor, there can be no problems. Heel bursitis is not a terrible disease if you do not neglect it and treat it in time.