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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.

Exercising is good for you, but sometimes you can injure yourself when you play sports or exercise. Accidents, poor training practices, or improper gear can cause them. Some people get hurt because they are not in shape. Not warming up or stretching enough can also lead to injuries.

The most common sports injuries are:

• Sprains and strains
• Knee injuries
• Swollen muscles
• Achilles tendon injuries
• Pain along the shin bone
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

If you get hurt, stop playing. Continuing to play or exercise can cause more harm. Treatment often begins with the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) method to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and speed healing. Other possible treatments include pain relievers, keeping the injured area from moving, rehabilitation, and sometimes surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

If you are like most people, you walk thousands of steps each day. You walk to do your daily activities, get around, and exercise. It's something that you usually don't think about. But for those people who have a problem with walking, daily life can be more difficult.

Walking problems may cause you to:

• Walk with your head and neck bent over
• Drag, drop, or shuffle your feet
• Have irregular, jerky movements when walking
• Take smaller steps
• Waddle
• Walk more slowly or stiffly

The pattern of how you walk is called your gait. Many different diseases and conditions can affect your gait and lead to problems with walking. They include:

• Abnormal development of the muscles or bones of your legs or feet
• Arthritis of the hips, knees, ankles, or feet
• Cerebellar disorders, which are disorders of the area of the brain that controls coordination and balance
• Foot problems, including corns and calluses, sores, and warts
• Infections
• Injuries, such as fractures (broken bones), sprains, and tendinitis
• Movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
• Neurologic diseases, including multiple sclerosis and peripheral nerve disorders
• Vision problems

To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will ask about your medical history and do a physical exam. This will include checking your bones and muscles and doing a neurological exam. In some cases, you may have other tests, such as lab or imaging tests.

Treatment of walking problems depends on the cause. If the cause is a medical condition, treating that condition often improves your walking. Some common types of treatments for walking problems may include:

• Medicines
• Mobility aids such as walkers and canes
• Physical therapy
• Special shoes, insoles, splints, or braces
• Surgery