The Top 5 Ways We Can Relieve Your Pain From Heel Spurs

If you’re experiencing discomfort in your heel, you may suspect you have a heel spur. The truth is, pain from heel spurs shows up differently for each person – some feel a dull ache, others have sharp, stabbing pains and some people experience no pain at all. And because not all heel pain is caused by spurs, it’s important to determine the reason for your discomfort so you can get the proper diagnosis and treatment. 

In this article, we’ll discuss how to tell if you have a heel spur, how heel spurs are treated, and consider the connection between heel spurs and plantar fasciitis.

Our orthopedic surgeons at the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of heel spurs and other foot and ankle conditions. If you’re experiencing heel pain, we invite you to contact us to schedule an appointment. 

How Can You Tell If You Have a Heel Spur?

A heel spur or bone spur is a bony growth, also called a calcium deposit, that typically forms on the underside or back of the heel bone. Heel spurs are caused by repetitive stress and strain on foot ligaments and tendons.

Heel spurs don’t always cause pain or other symptoms. In some cases, the only way to know for certain if you have a heel spur is through an imaging test like an X-ray, which can also be useful for ruling out other causes of heel pain.

Symptoms you may experience if you have a heel spur include:

• Sharp pain or a dull ache that may be intermittent or persistent
• Sharp, stabbing pain when standing in the morning or after prolonged sitting 
• Part of the heel feels warm to the touch
• Inflammation and swelling at the front of the heel
• Tenderness in the heel where you put weight on it
• In some cases, a small visible bump on the heel 

Pain related to heel spurs is often a result of inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of fibrous tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes, rather than the heel spur itself. 

How Are Heel Spurs Treated? Top Ways We Can Help Relieve Your Pain from Heel Spurs

Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are sometimes treated similarly because their causes and symptoms can overlap. 

We’ll work closely with you to make the proper diagnosis so we can tailor our treatment based on your specific cause of pain and the severity of your symptoms. 

To relieve pain from heel spurs, we may recommend one or a combination of these approaches:

• Adjusting your activities to manage pain, such as swapping high-impact activities for low-impact options 
• Taking anti-inflammatory pain relievers
• Taking breaks from prolonged standing, walking or running
• Using ice or cold packs on the bottom of your feet to alleviate heel pain 
• Wearing shoes with proper cushioning and arch support 
• Physical therapy to reduce pain and inflammation and improve flexibility and strength

Our goal is to help you return to your normal activities with reduced pain and enhanced mobility. 

Do Heel Spurs Have to Be Removed?

Surgery to remove heel spurs is rarely required. Heel spur pain can usually be effectively managed with conservative treatments like those mentioned above.

We may consider surgery if pain lasts for six months or longer despite non-surgical treatments, the heel spur hinders walking or other normal daily activities, or if the pain is related to plantar fasciitis. In that case, the heel spur might be removed as part of plantar fasciitis surgery. 

How Are Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis Related?

Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are related but distinct conditions that can both cause heel pain. 

Plantar fasciitis occurs when your plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue on the bottom of your foot that runs from your heel to your toes, becomes inflamed or irritated due to overuse and repetitive stress. This can result in sharp, stabbing pain that may come and go depending on your activity level. 

Heel spurs can develop as a result of the stress and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis. Your body responds to this stress by building extra bone tissue that becomes a heel spur. Heel spurs don’t always cause pain, but when they do, the pain can mimic that of plantar fasciitis. 

Dorsal vs Plantar Heel Spurs

Dorsal heel spurs form along the back of the heel and are associated with insertional Achilles tendonitis, in which the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed and irritated where it connects to the heel bone. This inflammation creates calcium deposits resulting in a bone spur.

Treatment options for dorsal heel spurs may include rest, ice, pain relievers, physical therapy and orthotics like shoe inserts and ankle braces, or surgery in rare cases.  

Plantar heel spurs develop on the bottom of the heel and are usually associated with plantar fasciitis. As previously discussed, plantar heel spurs often cause no pain, and they can most often be treated with conservative, non-surgical approaches. 

Both types of heel spurs can be diagnosed with a physical exam and imaging tests like X-rays. 

Is Heel Pain Getting in the Way of Your Active Life? Our Experts at the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic Can Help

For some people, heel spurs create no symptoms at all, while others may experience persistent pain that interferes with their daily activities. The only way to confirm for certain that you have this condition is through an imaging test like an X-ray. 

Whether you believe you’re experiencing pain from heel spurs or plantar fasciitis, we can help. Our orthopedic surgeons at the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of these and other foot and ankle conditions.

We invite you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.