Common Symptoms of Heel Spurs

Symptoms of heel spurs are sharp pain in the heel when stretching the foot, and a footache that does not go away. Heel spurs are calcified tissue near the heel where the tendons in the foot attach. These bony growths can dig into the inflamed flesh of the foot, causing pain. At the onset, the pain can be very sharp and will be present upon standing. As time passes, the sharp pain will become a dull aching feeling, but this can become a constant source of irritation for the patient.  Heel bone spurs cause pain by jabbing into soft tissue that has become very irritated and inflamed, a condition known as plantar fasciitis.

A Common Cause of Heel Spurs

The main cause of heel spurs is when the Plantar Fascia, the thick connective tissue that attaches the toes to the heel, becomes inflamed. This abnormal stress on the heel causes calcification of the soft tissue in the foot, creating the conditions for plantar fasciitis. Factors that can lead to this condition include abnormal stress, excessive weight, aging, or poor foot function. When the tissue becomes tight, it is torn over and over by the daily use of the foot. As the tissue becomes inflamed, it results in heel spurs.

How to Diagnose and Treat Bone Spurs In The Heels

The only way to receive a proper diagnosis is through a foot x-ray. With an x-ray, your doctor can confirm that a heel spur has developed. You can treat this condition by simply elevating your foot or consider more extreme measures like foot surgery. Many people are able to lessen inflammation by applying gentle heat to the heel. By increasing the circulation, the blood vessels dilate and the pain lessens. Others notice that simply wearing orthotics can provide significant relief. These devices are designed to correct over-pronation and add support to the arches of the foot. By reducing the stress on the Plantar Fascia, the tissues in the foot can heal correctly. Many arch support insoles come with additional heel pads that act as shock absorbers for the heel, which help to immediately ease the pain. Also, physical therapy treatments such as diathermy can lessen inflammation. This process utilizes an electrical current to produce heat that will ease plantar fasciitis and heel spurs.

Easy Ways to Avoid Heel Spurs

A way to avoid heel spurs is to properly stretch the tissues in the foot and calf before any rigorous exercise. By stretching these tissues, you allow them to become more and more flexible, which lessens the likelihood of plantar fasciitis. It is also very important to wear shoes that fit properly and provide ample arch support and cushioning to the foot. Heel spurs can be avoided by adding orthotics to your shoes to help reduce stress on the Plantar Fascia. Keeping aware of our feet is a very important step in staying healthy, and healthy feet are a vital component for our overall well-being.