Heel Spurs: What they Are and How We Treat Them

We treat heel spurs in our clinic. Heel spurs are a condition that is caused by the build up of calcium, forming a calcium deposit in the underside of the heel bone. This build up, or heel spur, leads to the bone protruding and can be quite painful for some patients. Most times we are able to take an x-ray of the heel and visibly see evidence of a heel spur, sometimes extending forward up to half an inch. At other times there is no visible evidence in the x-rays we take to show the existence of the condition. In cases like this, we call the condition “heel spur syndrome.” Heel spurs, in and of themselves, can be quite painful but they are also associated with other conditions that can lead to severe discomfort. Heel spurs, for example, are linked to plantar fasciitis which is a painful inflammation of the plantar fascia that runs along the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia connects the ball of the foot with the heel bone of the foot, so when this fibrous band gets inflamed it can be exceedingly painful.

There are several risk factors that we have identified, which may lead to heel spurs. Since the heel spurs occur when calcium is deposited over a long period of time on the underside of the heel bone, the process of getting a heel spur can often take several months or even years to become noticeable. We know that heel spurs are especially common among people who spend a lot of time running, jogging, or are involved in jumping sports. Some of the identified risk factors for heel spurs include –

Badly fitted or ill worn shoes which do not provide your feet with the proper arch support.
Running or jogging consistently on a hard surface that is unforgiving on the feet.
Excessive weight consistent with obesity.
Abnormalities in the walking gait, where the walk places extreme amounts of stress on the heel bone, nerves, and ligaments near the heel.
Age is a critical factor in the appearance of heel spurs. Older patients find that there is a decrease in the plantar fascia flexibility which then thins the heel’s protective pad of fat.
Short, but frequent, bursts of activity.
Flat feet or high arches, where foot support is needed but not provided.
Conditions like diabetes.

Very often, patients who have heel spurs do not even know that they have the condition. For patients that do experience symptoms, heel spurs are most commonly associated with intermittent and chronic pain, which is further aggravated by walking, running or jogging. The pain is not caused by the heel spur itself, rather it is an injury to the soft tissue associated with it. Many patients who have heel spurs describe the pain as being similar to having a knife or pins stuck to the bottom of their feet. The pain is typically most active in the morning but later turns into a dull and consistent ache. The sharpness of the pain returns if the patient sits for a period of time and then suddenly need to stand up. Heel spurs may be treated with: