What is a heel spur?
A heel spur is a bony growth that develops on the bottom of the calcaneus — your heel bone — and protrudes into the soft tissues of your heel. Heel spurs typically have a sharp point at their tip that can project down toward the ground or forward toward the arch of your foot.
While heel spurs aren’t visible to the naked eye, signs of heel spurs include:
- Pain, tenderness, or swelling in your heel
- Chronic, low-grade pain
- Flare-ups of pain when you’re walking or standing longer than normal
- Sharp, stabbing pain in your heel when you’re getting out of bed in the morning
- Dull, achy pain later in the day
In many cases, heel spurs don’t cause any symptoms, so you may have one for years before it causes a problem.
What causes heel spurs?
Heel spurs develop when calcium deposits onto the base of your calcaneus over several weeks or months. This process is typically triggered by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, plantar fasciitis, and repetitive tears to the membrane that covers your calcaneus.
Certain risk factors for developing heel spurs exist, such as:
- Walking gait abnormalities
- Running or jogging, especially on hard surfaces
- Poorly fitted shoes or shoes lacking arch support
- Excess body weight and obesity
- A history of plantar fasciitis
The team can help you determine if you have any risk factors for developing a heel spur and provides recommendations to prevent the formation of heel spurs, whenever possible.
What methods can diagnose heel spurs?
Since heel spurs can’t be seen and may not be large enough to diagnose by pressing on your heel alone, the team takes X-rays of your heel in the office to determine your diagnosis. If a heel spur is visible on your X-rays, the team confirms your diagnosis and recommends a treatment plan based on the size of your heel spur and the severity of your symptoms.
What is the treatment plan for heel spurs?
Depending on the size of your heel spur, the team may begin with conservative therapies to relieve your discomfort and potentially slow the progression of growth of your heel spur. These therapies may include gait training, physical therapy, or foot stabilization exercises to strengthen the arch of your foot and stretch your calves. Wearing a brace or pad in your shoe may also help alleviate discomfort.
In some cases, the team may recommend an injection or cryosurgery to relieve pain and inflammation or an open surgery to remove the heel spur completely.
To determine if you have a heel spur, schedule a visit online or call Healthy Step Podiatry now.
