3 Signs You Need Help for Heel Spurs

Do you need help for heel spurs? Or are you wondering what’s causing that bony bump on the back of your heel? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Heel spurs are bone spurs that form at the back of your heel. And bone spurs are just extra bone that grows on top of your normal bone. Now, on its own, a heel spur doesn’t need treatment. But, this extra bone growth can press against your other bones, nerves, tendons or ligaments.

That’s when the problems may begin. Which was the case for our patient, Lyndi M, who recently shared, “ I was training for a hike in the Grand Canyon. After two hours of hiking, I experienced pain in my right foot and was limping. Louetta Foot & Ankle diagnosed a heel spur and plantar fasciitis. Custom made orthotics and PT got me back on my feet pain free. I was able to complete my planned hike at the Grand Canyon.”

We’re always happy to offer pain relief to our patients. But we also want you to prevent and recognize problems when they’re first forming. So, today, we’ll help you understand this condition. And we’ll explain all the options you’ll have if you need help for heel spurs.

Why do heel spurs form?

Typically, you’ll develop a bone spur in a spot where there’s undue pressure on your foot for extended periods of time.  Over time, that pressure can damage your bone. And, at that point, it will need repair.

In some cases, your bone tries to heal itself by building up a protective layer of extra bone. So, at that point, you may notice a bony growth on your feet.

That was the case for Abby Steiner, a U.S. Sprinter from the University of Kentucky. Recently, she failed to qualify for the World Athletics competition because she was dealing with a heel injury, as well as a bone spur on her heel that she plans to remove surgically so she can be ready for the next Olympics.

Now, as we said before, heel spurs are simply bone spurs that form on your heel. They’re often a sign that you have tight ligaments or tendons, since these can tug at your heel and put pressure on the heel plate.

In some cases, your heel spurs may form because, as you age, your cartilage wears away. This leaves your bone edge exposed, and a protective spur may form in response.

Other times, plantar fasciitis can cause your help spur, since the tight plantar fascia puts pressure on your heel bone as well.

Finally, gaining weight can build pressure on your heel. And so can wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes. So both issues may cause heel spurs to form

Other Bone Spurs

In some cases, you may form a bone spur on top of your foot. Often, these spurs develop in response to an injury, repetitive stress, or even arthritis. Whatever the cause, here again, the extra bony projection could lead to inflammation, pain, and limits on your mobility. If you experience these symptoms, you can seek treatment in our office.

Help for Bone and Heel Spurs: Diagnosis and Treatment in Spring TX

At our Spring and Tomball TX podiatry practices, we diagnose heel spurs using our in-office x-ray. We’ll know you may have a problem if you display symptoms like heel pain, swelling or a visible bump on your heel.

If we diagnose you with heel spurs, we’ll come up with a treatment plan to offer pain relief. First, we may suggest wearing a walking boot. That way, you’ll be able to get through your daily activities without putting more pressure on your stressed-out heel bone. With this option, you can still work out the way you’d like to, though we may suggest skipping high impact workouts such as running.

Next, we’ll fit you for custom orthotics, just like we did for Lyndi. These medical devices are formed to fit your exact foot structure, so they can help support weakened areas and remove pressure related to imbalances.

In some cases, a pampering foot massage may help relieve certain painful symptoms. And icing your feet after exercise, or taking over the counter anti-inflammatory medication, can relieve swelling. But these solutions will only offer temporary fixes.

Want lasting relief for persistent heel spurs? If we don’t intervene early on, surgery may your best option. So contact our office today, and we’ll schedule you for a heel spur consultation. Together, we’ll come up with a plan to relieve your symptoms. And to keep them from coming back and interfering with your life.

 

 

Sources: Salisbury Post