Heel Spurs
What is Heel Spurs?
The symptoms of heel spurs are difficult to describe because most heel spurs are asymptomatic. Most of the time when a patient seeks answers to heel spur pain, they are actually looking for answers to plantar fasciitis pain, but the terminology is confused due to the way it is commonly used. When a heel spur becomes symptomatic, it aggravates the tissue associated with it, in this case plantar fasciitis, and the symptoms that arise include:
● Pain or tenderness in the heel of the affected foot that feels sharp, dull or throbbing
● Inflammation at the base of the heel, or where bone spurs occur
● Pain when walking or exercising without supportive shoes or in bare feet
● Feeling a small bony bump on the bottom or back of the heel
● Numbness, burning and tingling if the nerve is affected by the bone spur
What are the causes of heel spurs?
Research has shown that heel spurs form as a result of injury and strain to the soft tissue at the bottom of the heel (in this case, the insertion fibers of the plantar fascia tissue). Minor trauma occurs when the plantar fascia, which attaches to the bottom of the heel bone, is repeatedly pulled and puts pressure on the heel during movement. The body responds by trying to repair the area by making more bone, which creates what we know as a calcified protrusion of the heel bone spur.
which creates what we know as a calcified protrusion of the heel bone spur.
Any behavior that exacerbates the pull and pressure of the plantar fascia on the heel bone can lead to the formation of heel spurs, including:
● Overuse of the fascia, usually as a result of overtraining
● Wearing shoes that lack support or are heavily worn, putting more pressure on the fascia
● Muscle imbalances and dysfunction that lead to overuse
● Stiff feet with poor mobility and flexibility to adequately absorb impacts
● Excessive pronation of the ankles and feet, and other biomechanical issues
● Leg length discrepancies
● Bent or knock-kneed knees
● Abnormal walking and running patterns that put extra stress on the heel bone and ligaments
● Heel spurs can also be caused by inflammatory arthritis, as well as other problems such as a ruptured heel fat pad.
Heel spur treatment
Heel spur treatment primarily consists of rest and lifestyle changes.
Cold compresses. Using ice packs or cold compresses for up to 15 minutes at a time may help relieve heel spur pain by temporarily numbing the area.
● Injections of anti-inflammatory medications. For severe pain, your podiatrist may recommend corticosteroid shots. These anti-inflammatory injections help to ease both pain and inflammation throughout the heel and arch of the foot.
● Over-the-counter pain medications. Acute, or short-term, pain may be reduced with the help of over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications. These may include acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
● Physical therapy exercises and stretching exercises.
● Rest is one of the most recommended treatment measures for both plantar fasciitis and heel spurs.
● Orthotic shoe inserts. Orthotic shoe inserts, such as heel pads, can help give you the arch and heel support needed to reduce pain. Heel pads can also prevent further wear and tear. They should be used in addition to proper footwear for all-around foot protection.
● Surgery for heel spurs
● Exercises for heel spurs