Heel Spur Treatment

A heel spur is inflammation that results from tearing or rupture of the fibers called the fascia, which connect the short muscles on the sole of the foot to the heel bone. It is characterized by pain that usually begins when getting out of bed in the morning or standing up after sitting. The pain appears with the first few steps after getting out of bed in the morning and usually goes away after a few more steps. A heel spur often causes early symptoms such as heel pain. The patient may be unable to put weight on the foot. Sometimes it causes no symptoms at all, and the heel spur may be discovered on an X-ray taken for another reason.

A heel spur, or bone spur, is a bony growth that protrudes from the underside of the heel where the heel bone attaches to the ligament (plantar fascia) that runs between the heel and the sole of the foot. Heel spurs affect about 15% of people. Heel spurs develop over time. Most people don't realize they have a heel spur until they seek help for heel pain. Although heel spurs can be removed surgically, healthcare providers recommend non-surgical treatments to relieve the symptoms associated with them.

What Causes Heel Spurs?

Heel spurs are your body's response to the stress and strain placed on the ligaments and tendons of your foot. For example, when you develop plantar fasciitis, your body responds to the stress by forming a heel spur. A heel spur can also develop if you repeatedly tear the sheath covering your heel bone or if you have a gait disorder. (A gait disorder is when a disease or condition affects your balance and coordination and you cannot walk as you normally would.)

• Unsuitable shoes (unsupportive, non-orthopedic, hard-soled or high-heeled),
• Flip-flops
• Standing for long periods,
• Weight gain,
• Sudden load on the sole of the foot,
• Walking on hard surfaces,
• Running and jumping
• Certain conditions (such as obesity and arthritis)

What Are the Risk Factors for Heel Spurs?

• Unsuitable shoes
• Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
• Certain rheumatic diseases,
• Pregnancy
• Sports activities
• Hard surfaces
• Trauma
• Aging
• Excess weight

What Are the Symptoms of Heel Spurs?

• Sharp, knife-like pain in the heel with the first step out of bed in the morning
• Intermittent pain during the day
• Inflammation or swelling of the heel
• Warmth in and around the affected area
• A bone-like protrusion under the heel
• Tenderness in the heel that makes walking difficult

How Are Heel Spurs Diagnosed?

Healthcare providers usually examine your foot and ask about physical activities that may be causing your heel pain.

• History (complaints related to the heel spur are asked about)
• Physical examination
• Imaging (an X-ray of the foot, showing the bony protrusion)
• In short, X-rays are one of the most common tests healthcare providers use to diagnose heel spurs.

How Are Heel Spurs Treated?

Healthcare providers treat heel spurs the same way they treat plantar fasciitis. This is because heel pain thought to be caused by heel spurs actually comes from plantar fasciitis. Treating the symptoms of plantar fasciitis can relieve the pain associated with heel spurs.

Typical treatment includes:

• Rest
• Ice
• Orthotics (ring-shaped insoles placed in the heel of the shoe)
• Night splints and casts
• Stretching exercises (exercises that help lengthen and stretch the soft tissues in the area)
• Physical therapy
• Wearing shock-absorbing athletic shoes
• Medications (pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, creams, ointments, gels, etc.)
• Steroid injections
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)
• Prolotherapy
• PRP
• Acupuncture
• Surgery

A heel spur forms when stress and strain damage your plantar fascia, the ligament on the underside of your foot. Heel spurs are usually not the reason your heel hurts. You probably found out about your heel spur when you sought help for heel pain. Even if your heel spur isn't causing your heel pain, you should still take care of your heels. If your heels hurt during certain activities, you can make an appointment at the orthopedics and traumatology clinic to learn about additional steps you can take to relieve your heel pain.

References:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21965-heel-spurs