Heel Spur
If you have suffered with heel pain for a long period of time, you may have developed a heel spur.
However… the heel spur is unlikely to be the cause of your heel pain.
What is a Heel Spur?
A heel spur is a bony prominence that extends from the heel bone (Calcaneus).
Heel spurs most commonly form underneath the heel at the insertion of the plantar fascia. They are usually associated with a tight plantar fascia or Plantar Fasciitis.
They can also develop on the back of the heel bone at the insertion of the achilles tendon. They are usually associated with a prolonged period of Achilles Tendinopathy, calf muscle tightness or ill-fitting shoes.
What causes a heel spur?
Bone spurs are caused by abnormal bone growth. When there is constant irritation and stress on the bone for greater than 6-8 weeks, the cells responsible for bone growth are stimulated to produce calcium deposits to protect the bone from injury. As the calcium deposits build up over time a spur shaped deformity forms, which can be seen below on X-ray.
Imaging studies have shown that heel spurs do not always cause heel pain. The heel spur is often a side effect of the real underlying cause of your heel pain, such as Plantar Fasciitis or Achilles Tendinopathy. By treating these underlying conditions symptoms associated with the heel spur often resolve.
Signs & Symptoms:
Pinpoint sharp, stabbing pain in the heel on rising first thing in the morning
Dull ache in the heel towards the end of the day
Stiffness in the ankle and calf
Hard painful lumps
How do you treat a heel spur?
The first step in treating heel spurs is to identify the true cause of your heel pain. Most often this will involve the plantar fascia, achilles tendon or other structure surrounding the heel including the fat pad.
Depending on the cause of your heel spur, treatment will be tailored specifically to the diagnosis. Commonly heel spur treatments include:
Strengthening & Stretching exercises - To reduce tensile stress at the insertion of the tendon and strengthen the supporting muscles
Orthotics - To improve foot function and reduce load to the painful area
Footwear Modifications - Heel cups to cushion the heel spur and education on the most appropriate footwear for your feet
Taping and padding - Reduce pressure on painful areas
Treating the surrounding soft tissue structures will often resolve all pain and symptoms. In rare cases surgery may be required to remove the spur if conservative treatment fails to relieve pain.
