Patient Portal:
See upcoming appointments, pay your bill, view your health records, and more.

LOG IN

Personal Care, Better Results

Animas Surgical Hospital

Heel Spurs - Podiatry

Back to Patient Education

Introduction

Heel spurs are abnormal bony growths that develop at the back or under the heel as a result of ongoing soft tissue inflammation or irritation.  The inflammation, more so than the heel spur, can cause significant pain.  Fortunately, symptoms can be eased with non-surgical treatments for the vast majority of people.
Back to top

Anatomy

Your heel bone is called the calcaneus.  It helps to bear and distribute your body weight across your foot when you stand or walk.  Soft tissues that help move and shape the foot are attached to the calcaneus.  One such tissue, the plantar fascia, forms the arch in the foot.
Back to top

Causes

Heel spurs develop in some people that have a condition called plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the plantar fascia.  Heel spurs form when the plantar fascia slightly separates from the calcaneus. An abnormal bone growth, a hook-like spur, forms from calcium deposits that grow at the site of inflammation. 
 
However, spurs often form without symptoms, inflammation or injury. 
Back to top

Symptoms

Heel spurs are very common, and may or may not cause symptoms.  Symptoms are usually related to the plantar fasciitis.  You may experience significant pain.  Your heel pain may be worse in the morning when you first wake up or during certain activities.
Back to top

Diagnosis

Your podiatrist will review your medical history and examine your foot.  X-rays are used to identify the location and size of the heel spur.
Back to top

Treatment

The majority of heel spurs are treated without surgery.  Non-surgical treatments can relieve pain, but it may take some time for symptoms to resolve. Rest, icing, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or prescription medications can help ease symptoms.  Cortisone medication injections may also be used.
 
You may be instructed to perform stretching exercises to help relax the tissues in the heel.  Your podiatrist may recommend custom orthotics or shoe inserts to position and cushion your heel. Night splints can help position the heel and arch of the foot while you sleep.
 
Some doctors may recommend extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT).  This treatment uses energy pulses to start the repair process in the heel tissues.  ESWT is recommend when other non-surgical treatments have failed. 
Back to top

Surgery

 
Surgery is used a very small percentage of the time.  It is usually considered after trying non-surgical treatments for at least a year.  Plantar fascia release surgery is used to relax the plantar fascia.  This surgery is commonly paired with tarsal tunnel release surgery.  Surgery is successful for the majority of people. 
Back to top

Recovery

Recovery from non-surgical heel spur treatment can take considerable time, usually from three months to a year.  However, most doctors agree that non-surgical treatments should be tried for at least one year before considering surgery. 
Back to top

Prevention

You can help prevent heel spur symptoms from coming back by wearing the proper shoes.  Customized orthotics and insoles can help relieve pressure.  It is important to perform your exercises to help keep your foot stretched and relaxed.

Back to top

Am I at Risk

Heel spurs are more common in middle-aged adults and people that have had plantar fasciitis for a long time.  People with flat feet or high arches are vulnerable to heel spurs.  Women that wear high-heeled shoes are more susceptible as well.

Back to top

Copyright ©  - iHealthSpot Interactive - www.iHealthSpot.com

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

"Your professional performance, compassion and attention to detail are outstanding." ~Durango patient

Footer

Animas Surgical Hospital:

(970) 247-3537

Animas Urgent Care:

(970) 385-2388

Animas Surgical Hospital:

ER Open 24/7

Animas Urgent Care:

8:30 am - 7 pm

Animas Surgical Hospital:

575 Rivergate Lane

Animas Urgent Care:

450 S. Camino Del Rio

Proudly Physician Owned

Animas Surgical Hospital brings the people of Durango, CO and the Four Corners the most advanced surgical technologies and expertise. The physician-owned hospital offers technologically advanced surgeries, diagnostic imaging, 24/7 short-wait emergency care, urgent care, occupational medicine, and internal medicine.