Reviewed by: Mr William Sharples BSc (Hons) – Pain Management Expert
Last Updated: September 2025
What Is Foot Bursitis?
A bursa is a sac-like structure present near bony prominences, found between bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. In the foot, bursae are commonly found near the bunions, Achilles tendon, bottom of the heel, and back of the heel. There are over 150 bursae in the body, and their main role is to cushion and reduce friction between tissues during movement. When these bursae become inflamed, it leads to bursitis. (1)
Foot bursitis, also known as retrocalcaneal bursitis, most often occurs in high-pressure areas such as the heel, big toe, and fifth metatarsal head. These points help distribute weight and provide stability. An inflamed bursa fills with fluid, and when pressed against ligaments, tendons, or bone, it causes pain. For example, retrocalcaneal bursitis can cause significant heel pain. (2)
What Are The Symptoms of Foot Bursitis?
Foot bursitis can be acute or chronic. Acute bursitis is triggered by trauma, joint disease, or infection and is usually painful, especially with movement or palpation. Chronic bursitis is often due to repetitive overuse or pressure and may present with swelling or thickening of the bursa, sometimes without pain. (3)
- Pain (dull ache or sharp) in the foot, especially with movement or pressure
- Swelling or thickening at the affected site
- Limited range of motion or function
- Redness or warmth over the bursa
- Symptoms may worsen with tight shoes, high heels, or prolonged standing
Common Causes of Foot Bursitis
Foot bursitis is most often caused by injury or overuse, such as excessive walking in ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or repetitive impact. Other causes and risk factors include:
- Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the fascia connecting the heel bone to the toes, often causing heel pain.
- Haglund’s Deformity: A bony bump at the back of the heel, often from ill-fitting shoes rubbing the Achilles tendon.
- Achilles Tendinopathy: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon.
- Sever’s Disease: Common in growing children, caused by excessive pressure on the heel during growth.
- Pinched Nerve: Trapped nerves can cause sharp pain and promote bursitis.
- Heel Spur: Calcium deposits between the heel bone and fascia; not always painful but can contribute to bursitis.
- Medical conditions: diabetes, thyroid disease, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, metatarsal tendinitis, and toe joint injections (rare).
How Is Foot Bursitis Diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a detailed history and physical exam, including questions about activity levels, sports, and daily routines. The doctor will examine the foot for deformities (e.g., Haglund’s deformity) and may order X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound. If a deformity or injury is suspected, referral to a podiatrist may be necessary. (4)
How Is Foot Bursitis Treated?
Prolotherapy
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat foot bursitis. Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative benefits. Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, the small cells needed to help with foot bursitis. As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of foot bursitis, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Prolotherapy may not be suitable for everyone, and outcomes can vary. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific medical condition or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you have read here.
Other treatments include:
- Rest, ice, and activity modification
- Proper footwear, insoles, and inserts for support
- Stretching and strengthening exercises; physical therapy and night splints
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) for pain and inflammation
- Topical or oral steroids for advanced cases (injections are not recommended due to risk of complications)
- Systemic antibiotics for septic bursitis (6)
- Specific treatments for underlying conditions (e.g., orthotics for arthritis or gout)
Prevention of Foot Bursitis
- Wear well-fitted, cushioned shoes (avoid high heels and tight shoes)
- Use padded socks for extra protection
- Warm up before physical activity
- Avoid walking barefoot on hard or rocky surfaces
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on the feet
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does foot bursitis take to heal?
Most people improve within a few weeks of treatment, but severe cases with infection or significant inflammation may take up to a year.
Does foot bursitis go away?
With proper management, most cases resolve, but recurrence is possible if risk factors are not addressed.
How do you get bursitis to go away?
Rest, ice, painkillers, and physical therapy are first-line. Steroid pills may be used if needed, but injections are avoided due to risk of complications.
What does bursitis in the foot feel like?
Usually a dull ache, swelling, and pain triggered by tight shoes, high heels, or prolonged standing/activity.
Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
Don’t let foot bursitis control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
Get in Touch
- Phone: +441234380345
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Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Oliver Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating foot bursitis, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with foot bursitis and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
Mr Eaton’s expertise has been featured in many national news and media publications, including The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, Women’s Health Magazine, and The Scotsman.
References
- InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Bursitis: Overview. 2018 Jul 26.
- Zanetti, M., & Weishaupt, D. (2005). MR imaging of the forefoot: Morton neuroma and differential diagnoses. Seminars in musculoskeletal radiology, 9(3), 175–186. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2005-921938
- Williams CH, Jamal Z, Sternard BT. Bursitis. [Updated 2022 Feb 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513340/
- Zidani H, Genah I, Lae M, Bousson V, Laredo JD. Adventitious bursitis in the plantar fat pad of forefoot presenting as a tumoral mass. J Radiol Case Rep. 2020;14(2):12-20. Published 2020 Feb 29. doi:10.3941/jrcr.v14i2.3711
- InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. How can bursitis be treated? 2018 Jul 26.
- Truong J, Mabrouk A, Ashurst JV. Septic Bursitis. [Updated 2022 Feb 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470331/
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.