Have you ever been told you have a heel spur and assumed that little piece of bone is what's causing all of your heel pain? You might be surprised to learn that in most cases, it isn't.
What Is A Heel Spur?
A heel spur forms where the plantar fascia, which is the thick band of tissue along the bottom of your foot, attaches to the heel bone. Repeated stress on this attachment can lead to tiny microscopic injuries. As your body repairs the area over time, extra bone may gradually form, creating a spur.
By themselves, heel spurs are usually harmless. Many people have them for years without knowing they're there because they don't cause any symptoms at all. Problems occur when a heel spur rubs against a shoe, presses on a nearby tendon, irritates a nerve, or limits the motion of a joint. That's when pain can develop.
Here's the important part that surprises many patients.
While many people with heel pain don't have a heel spur—the reverse is also true--many people with heel spurs have absolutely no pain.
While our bodies produce heel spurs in response to stress, most of the time it’s not the heel spurs causing heel pain. Instead, the pain typically comes from inflammation and degeneration of the plantar fascia, the condition we call plantar fasciitis. While the heel spur and inflammation are both coming from the same source----stress on the plantar fascia— it’s only the inflammation that causes the pain.
What Other Symptoms Come with Plantar Fasciitis?
Most people describe a sharp, stabbing pain when they first get out of bed in the morning or after sitting for a while. As they begin walking, the pain often eases somewhat, only to become a dull ache later in the day after spending hours on their feet.
What Increases My Risk of Developing Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis?
Several factors increase your risk of developing heel spurs and plantar fasciitis.
- Tight calf muscles
- Running on hard surfaces
- Wearing worn-out or unsupportive shoes
- Overweight
- Standing for long periods on hard floors
- Flat feet or high arches.
How Are Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis Treated?
The good news is that over 90 percent of patients improve using conservative treatment methods for both of these conditions.
Because the spur usually isn't the source of the pain, initial treatment focuses on reducing stress and inflammation in the plantar fascia. In addition, we may provide:
- Custom orthotics to improve foot mechanics
- Stretching exercises for tight calf muscles
- Education about best footwear
- Physical therapy
- MLS laser therapy to help reduce inflammation and stimulate healing.
Surgery to remove the heel spur is rarely necessary and is typically reserved for patients who continue to have significant pain after several months of comprehensive conservative treatment. Fortunately, that's a very small percentage of people.
How Can I Prevent Heel Spurs?
- Wear quality athletic shoes that fit properly and provide the support your feet need. I often recommend specialty stores like Super Jock N Jill, REI, and Sole Perfection because they can help match the right shoe to your foot type and activity.
- Warm up before running or participating in sports
- Stretch your calf muscles regularly if they're tight
- Increase your training time and mileage gradually instead of making big jumps.
Remember, if you've been told you have a heel spur, don't panic. The spur may simply be a sign that your foot has been under stress for a long time—not necessarily the reason you're in pain. The key is identifying the real source of your symptoms and treating that problem.
If you're struggling with heel pain, don't just assume it's the bone spur. A proper evaluation can determine what's really causing your discomfort so you can get back to walking, running, and enjoying your daily activities without pain.
