What is a heel spur?
A heel spur (or bone spur) is a bony growth that pokes out from the bottom of your heel bone, resulting from a gradual buildup of calcium deposits.
How are heel spurs diagnosed?
To know if you have a heel spur, your podiatrist will typically evaluate your foot and ankle and ask you about any physical activity that may have caused your heel pain. X-rays are also necessary for confirming the presence of a heel spur versus plantar fasciitis. On an x-ray, a heel spur can be seen extending forward by up to a half-inch, often resembling a hook facing the inside of your arch. If there’s no x-ray evidence, the condition is sometimes called “heel spur syndrome.”
Heel spurs vs. plantar fasciitis
Heel spurs are often confused with plantar fasciitis. While related, these conditions are not the same. Heel spurs can form as a reaction to plantar fasciitis, which involves the inflammation of the ligament that runs between your heel and the ball of your foot (the plantar fascia). Your body responds to this stress by gradually building extra bone tissue that ultimately becomes a heel spur.
Heel spur causes
Heel spurs are often caused by strains on your foot muscles and ligaments, or stretching of the plantar fascia. Damaging or repeatedly tearing the membrane that covers the heel bone can also cause heel spurs to develop.
Risk factors
Factors that may put you at a greater risk of developing heel spurs include:
- Gait abnormalities: Abnormal walking patterns can place excessive stress on the heel bone and surrounding ligaments and nerves
- Excessive physical activity: Running, jogging, or training, especially on hard surfaces, can place greater strain on the heel bone over time
- Unsupportive shoes: Poorly fitting or worn-out shoes, especially those without appropriate arch support, add more strain to the plantar fascia and can shorten the achilles tendon over time
- Aging: Getting older causes a natural decrease in the flexibility of the plantar fascia and thinning of the protective padding on the heel
Having flat feet or high arches can also increase your risk of developing a heel spur. Heel spurs have also been associated with obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Prevention
You can make some immediate changes to reduce your risk of developing a heel spur, including:
- Run or jog on soft surfaces like grass or tracks when possible
- Wear supportive, properly-fitting shoes
- Change the way you walk to put less pressure on your heels
- Limit how often you walk on hardwood or tile floors without something on your feet (slippers or socks)
Heel spur symptoms
Many people don’t realize they have a heel spur because they’re often asymptomatic. However, some experience intermittent heel pain, especially when walking or jogging, or chronic pain if inflammation happens at the point of the spur formation. It’s not often the heel spur that causes pain but injury to the soft tissue.
What does a heel spur feel like?
People often describe the pain associated with heel spurs and plantar fasciitis as a knife or pin sticking into the bottom of their foot. The pain tends to feel worse when you first stand up in the morning, turning into a lesser ache as the day goes on. Many also find that the sharp pain returns when they stand up after sitting down for a long period of time.
Treatments for heel spurs
We treat heel spurs the same way we treat plantar fasciitis. There are things you can do at home to relieve pain associated with heel spurs, but it’s always best to see a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and suggest treatments based on your individual needs.
Conservative treatments
Your podiatrist may recommend conservative or non-surgical treatments, such as:
- Stretching exercises focused on the joints and muscles in your foot and ankle
- Wearing more supportive footwear or using shoe inserts for extra arch support and cushion on the bottom of your foot
- Foot and ankle strapping or taping for temporary pain relief
- Over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or Advil
- Physical therapy to help strengthen and restore movement in the foot and ankle
Surgical techniques
Most people find that conservative treatments are enough to improve their heel spur symptoms. While surgery to remove heel spurs is uncommon, it can be necessary for people who don’t feel any relief after a year or so. In these cases, you may need to undergo a plantar fascia release or spur removal procedure.
When is it time to see a podiatrist?
If heel pain persists despite rest, stretching, or supportive shoes, it’s time to see a podiatrist. Pain that worsens, returns frequently, or affects daily activities may signal a more serious issue.
At Volunteer Podiatry, our specialists can diagnose the root cause of your heel pain and create a personalized treatment plan to help you find relief.