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.
Treatments for heel spurs and associated conditions include exercise, custom-made orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and cortisone injections. If conservative treatments fail, surgery may be necessary.
Causes
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. Additionally, women have a significantly greater risk for heel spurs due to their footwear.
Symptoms
The pain caused by heel spurs is often worst when you first arise in the morning and get to your feet. 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.
Prevention
You can prevent heel spurs by wearing well-fitting shoes with shock-absorbent soles, rigid shanks, and supportive heel counters. In order to get the best possible support for your feet, ask your podiatrist about a custom-fitted orthotic. It’s important to stretch before all physical activity and avoid wearing shoes with excessive wear on the heels and soles.
Other factors that can contribute to the formation of heel spurs include:
– Being overweight
– A decrease in ligament elasticity
– An uneven gait
Treatment
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.
If you have heel pain that persists for more than one month, consult a health care provider.
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