Heel Spurs
The heel bone is the largest bone in the foot and absorbs the most amount of shock and pressure. A heel spur develops as an abnormal growth of the heel bone. Calcium deposits form when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel area, causing a bony protrusion, or heel spur to develop. The heel spur usually is not the cause of the pain and problems, but is the result of the pulling and tearing of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue which runs along the bottom surface of the foot, attaching at the bottom of the heel bone and extending to the forefoot. When the plantar fascia is excessively stretched it can also lead to heel pain, arch pain, and Plantar Fasciitis.
Cause
Heel spurs develop as an abnormal growth in the heel bone due to calcium deposits that form when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel. The excessive stretching of the plantar fascia that leads to the inflammation and discomfort can be caused by the following:
 | Over-pronation (flat feet) which results in the arch collapsing upon weight bearing |
| A foot with an unusually high arch |
| A sudden increase in physical activity |
| Excessive weight on the foot, usually attributed to obesity or pregnancy |
| Improperly fitting shoes |
Over-pronation is the leading cause of the plantar fascia being stretched. Over-pronation occurs in the walking process, when a person's arch height decreases upon weight bearing, causing the plantar fascia to be stretched away from the heel bone.
With heel spurs, the bottom of your foot usually hurts near the inside of the foot where the heel and arch meet or in the center of the heel. This is the area of where the plantar fascia is pulling away and is very inflamed. The pain is often worse either first thing in the morning or after being seated 20 -30 minutes then standing. After being on the feet for a few minutes the pain often decreases but does not stop. As the day progresses and the plantar fascia continues to be stretched, the pain often worsens.
Treatment and Prevention
The standard treatment for the pain of heel spurs is a cortisone injection along with orthotics. The goal of this treatment is to reduce the inflammation associated with the heel spur. There are other treatments commonly used such as prescription anti-inflammatories and physical therapy.
Orthotics (custom arch supports) with rearfoot posting and longitudinal arch support is an effective device to reduce the over-pronation and allow the condition to heal. Orthotics are a good long-term treatment for this problem.
If you have excessively high arches, which can also lead to plantar fasciitis, you should wear shoes that support the arch, cushion the heel and comfort the foot.
Every time your foot strikes the ground, the plantar fascia is stretched. You can reduce the strain and stress on the plantar fascia by following these simple instructions: Avoid running on hard or uneven ground, lose any excess weight, and wear shoes and orthotics that support your arch to prevent over-stretching of the plantar fascia.
90 % of the time the pain associated with heel spurs can be alleviated with conservative (non-surgical) treatments.
If you are experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, call today for an appointment.