Show The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the cord-like tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of your foot and supports the arch. About 2 million people a year seek treatment for it. But if you have plantar fasciitis, you may also have heel bone spurs, calcium deposits that cause a bony protrusion under the heel bone and along the fascia. They may not bother you much, but then again, they might cause a great deal of pain At Chicagoland Foot and Ankle, our board-certified podiatrists understand how uncomfortable heel spurs can be and how much they can limit your activities. That’s why we provide state-of-the-art solutions to get you back on your feet again. Here’s what you need to know. Defining the heel spurHeel spurs are often confused with plantar fasciitis, probably because plantar fasciitis increases your risk of developing heel spurs, and heel spurs often occur in people who suffer from plantar fasciitis. But they’re two separate conditions. Heel spurs are often caused by muscle and ligament strains in the foot, wear-and-tear of the plantar fascia, and repeated tears of the heel bone’s membrane, all of which allow calcium deposits to build up and form a hard structure. They can be pointed, hooked, or shelf-like, and on an X-ray, they can extend as much as a half-inch forward from the heel itself. They’re particularly common in athletes who do a lot of running and jumping, since these actions produce repetitive stress. Risk factors for developing heel spurs include:
Symptoms of bone spursIf you’re fortunate, your heel spurs produce no symptoms. But for most, these bony growths are associated with intermittent or chronic pain, especially while on your feet. Usually, the source of the pain isn’t the heel spur itself, but rather the soft-tissue injury that comes with it. Many of our patients describe the pain as like a knife stabbing into the soles of their feet when they first arise, which turns into more of a dull ache as they move around, only to return to the sharp pain again if they sit for a long time and then get up. Treatment options for painful bone spursAsymptomatic heel spurs may not need any treatment. But if you’re in pain, you have a number of options. Here at Chicagoland Foot and Ankle, we always start with the conservative options first, including:
Heel spurs rarely require surgical removal. In fact, more than 90% of patients get better without surgery. But if conservative treatments fail over the course of 9-12 months, surgery may be necessary. We can perform procedures either to release the plantar fascia, if the conditions are coexisting, or remove the spur under the heel. Preventing painful bone spursNo amount of treatment can beat prevention. You can prevent heel spurs by:
If you have painful bone spurs, call us to schedule a consultation, or book online today. We have convenient locations in the Beverly/Mount Greenwood and Portage Park areas of Chicago, as well as in Orland Park and New Lenox, Illinois.
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Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are smooth, bony growths, usually near joints. They develop over time in patients with arthritis or joint damage. The feet, hands, knees and spine often develop bone spurs. A healthy lifestyle can delay symptoms like pain, stiffness and limited motion. Medications, physical therapy and surgery may help.
A bone spur, also called an osteophyte, is a smooth, bony lump that grows off a bone. Bone spurs develop over long periods of time, usually near joints (where two or more bones meet). Who gets bone spurs?Bone spurs are most common in people 60 years or older, but younger people can get them, too. People with osteoarthritis (OA) are much more likely to get bone spurs. OA is a common form of “wear and tear” arthritis that happens when cartilage, which cushions your bones, wears down. Where can bone spurs grow?Although they can grow from any bone, osteophytes are particularly common in the:
Joint damage from OA is the biggest cause of bone spurs. OA is a breakdown of cartilage — the firm, flexible tissue that cushions bones and allows joints to move more easily. OA develops as we age or after damage (like a sports injury). As the body tries to repair cartilage, it creates new bone material. These new bony growths are osteophytes. Ankylosing spondylitis also may cause bone spurs. This rare arthritis causes spinal inflammation. Over time, ankylosing spondylitis fuses, or connects, the small bones in the spine (vertebrae). The body responds by forming spinal osteophytes. What are symptoms of bone spurs?Some people have bone spurs and don’t even know it. Spurs start to create symptoms when they:
When that happens, you may feel some:
Without symptoms, you may accidentally discover a bone spur during an X-ray or other test for a different condition. If you report pain, stiffness and loss of motion to your healthcare provider, he or she will:
If you have bone spurs without symptoms, you don’t need treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop joint pain, stiffness, limited motion or numbness. How are bone spurs treated?Some home remedies and lifestyle changes help ease osteophyte symptoms:
If those methods aren’t enough, your healthcare provider can prescribe:
There is no certain way to prevent bone spurs. But you can reduce your chance of developing them by following a healthy lifestyle:
Bone spurs don’t go away unless you have surgery to remove them. Do bone spurs grow back?Although bone spurs don’t usually grow back after surgery, more may develop elsewhere in your body.
You can relieve pain and stiffness from bone spurs with rest, ice and over-the counter-medications. Properly fitting shoes and weight loss also reduce joint stress. If symptoms become severe or unmanageable, call your healthcare provider. Should I avoid activity?Even with bone spurs, try to stay active and healthy. Avoid activities and movements that hurt. Choose low-impact activities, like walking instead of running. When you exercise, take steps to minimize joint damage: Make sure you have good footwear, concentrate on proper techniques, and always warm up and stretch. A note from Cleveland Clinic Bone spurs may cause no symptoms at all or may drastically affect your day-to-day life. Home remedies and lifestyle choices can help you delay or ease symptoms. If you can’t control your pain or other symptoms on your own, ask your healthcare provider about additional strategies.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/16/2020. References
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy |