If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Overview Your foot and ankle are made up of 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons. The heel is the largest bone in your foot. If you overuse or injure your heel, you may experience heel pain. This can range from mild to disabling. It’s possible you’ll need to have a doctor or podiatrist diagnose the cause if simple home remedies don’t ease the pain.

When should you contact your doctor? If you develop heel pain, you may first try some home remedies, such as rest, to ease your symptoms. If your heel pain doesn’t get better within two to three weeks, you should make an appointment with your doctor. You should call your doctor immediately if you experience the following: Your pain is severe.

The pain starts suddenly.

You have redness in your heel.

You have swelling in your heel.

You can’t walk because of the pain in your heel.

How can heel pain be treated? If you develop heel pain, you can try these methods at home to ease your discomfort: Rest as much as possible.

Apply ice to the heel for 10 to 15 minutes twice a day.

Take over-the-counter pain medications.

over-the-counter pain medications. Wear shoes that fit properly.

Wear a night splint, a special device that stretches the foot while you sleep.

night splint, a special device that stretches the foot while you sleep. Use heel lifts or shoe inserts to reduce pain. If these home care strategies don’t ease your pain, you need to see your doctor. They’ll perform a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms and when they began. Your doctor may also take an X-ray to determine the cause of your heel pain. Once your doctor knows what’s causing your pain, they’ll be able to provide you with the appropriate treatment. In many cases, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy. This can help to strengthen the muscles and tendons in your foot, which helps to prevent further injury. If your pain is severe, your doctor may provide you with anti-inflammatory medications. These medications can be injected into the foot or taken by mouth. Your doctor may also recommend that you support your foot as much as possible — either by taping the foot or by using special footwear devices. In very rare cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct the problem, but heel surgery often requires a long recovery time and may not always relieve your foot pain.

What are the complications of heel pain? Heel pain can be disabling and affect your daily movements. It may also change the way that you walk. If this happens, you may be more likely to lose your balance and fall, making you more prone to other injuries.