A heel spur, also known as a calcaneal spur, develops as an abnormal growth of the heel bone when calcium deposits form a bony protrusion on the underside of the heel.
Although heel spurs are often painless, they can sometimes cause extreme pain in the rearfoot, especially while standing or walking. They are frequently associated with plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the fibrous band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot.
Heel spurs develop as an abnormal growth in the heel bone due to calcium deposits that form when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel — a process that usually occurs over a period of many months. Heel spurs are especially common among athletes whose activities include large amounts of running and jumping.
A heel spur will typically be located at the back of the heel or under the heel, near the sole of your foot. If you are experiencing pain along the back of your foot, up through your ankle, you might have a heel spur on the back of your heel.
How to Identify a Heel Spur
If you are experiencing heel pain, it’s important to take note of when the pain is the worst. In most cases, the pain should be at its worst first thing in the morning, with the first few steps you take being the most painful. There will also likely be pain when you step on your heel again after long periods of rest.
While any immediate pain is sure to create some level of concern, the main symptom of heel spurs is actually a prolonged pain. It’s important to keep track of how often you experience pain in your heels and under what circumstances the pain exhibits itself.
You may also experience intermittent or chronic pain during physical activates such as walking, jogging, or running if inflammation develops at the point of the spur formation. The discomfort caused by heel spurs can often feel as though it has lessened over a period of activity only to return later.
However, if you are experiencing chronic pain in your heels, then it’s time to see your doctor. A podiatrist will likely ask for a history of any past foot ailments, any stress factors that may have contributed to the spurs, and the state of the shoes you wear on a normal basis.
In most cases, the pain caused by heel spurs can be resolved with a combination of icing, rest, foot stretches and supporting the foot with an orthodic shoe insert specifically designed for this condition. Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen (Aleve) may also be used to reduce both pain and inflammation. In some cases, an injection with a corticosteroid may be done to relieve inflammation in the area.
More than 90 percent of people get better with nonsurgical treatments, however, if conservative treatment fails to treat symptoms of heel spurs after a period of 9 to 12 months, surgery may be necessary to relieve pain and restore mobility.
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The content on this website is for informational purposes only. Do not rely or act upon information from www.DelrayBeachPodiatry.com without seeking professional medical advice. If you live in South Florida and would like a consultation with Dr. Ian Goldbaum, a podiatric physician and surgeon with over 30 years of experience, please see our contact information below:
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561-499-0033
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