Heel spurs are bony formations caused by chronic pressure or injury, resulting in heel pain. Diagnosis is made with an x-ray, and treatment options include rest, physical therapy, medication, and surgery. Risk factors include weight gain, improper footwear, and certain medical conditions.
A heel spur is a bony spike formation that develops on the heel of the foot in response to chronic pressure or traumatic injury. They may also be known as traction exostoses, heel spurs, or heel spurs. A heel spur can often be treated with rest and physical therapy, but a severe case may require surgery.
The formation of a heel spur is one of the most common reasons for the development of heel pain. The heel spur forms due to thickening of the heel bone in the heel of the foot, which causes pain because new bone growth presses into the surrounding heel tissue. In most cases, the pain is worse soon after the augmentation and gradually eases over the course of the day.
Heel spurs can develop for a variety of reasons, including weight gain, improper footwear use, and plantar faciitis, an inflammation of the arch of the foot. A heel spur can also develop if the calf muscles are weak, due to the extra pressure this puts on the heels. People with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or poor circulation are at a higher risk of developing a heel spur.
Diagnosis is usually made on the basis of an x-ray, which will indicate where the heel spur is located. There are different types of heel spur treatment. In the early stages of the disease, treatments such as regular exercise, weight loss, or supportive footwear can help prevent further development of the spur. Exercises to strengthen the calf muscles are very helpful, as they help reduce the pressure placed on the heel during movement.
In more advanced cases, the pain may be more severe and not limited to the morning period. Over-the-counter drugs such as anti-inflammatories and pain relievers can be useful; in very severe cases, a doctor may prescribe steroid medications to reduce inflammation, as well as stronger pain relievers. The elevation and application of heat also help reduce pain, as these treatments improve blood circulation to the foot.
If none of these treatments work long-term, you may need heel spur surgery to correct the problem. Surgery is done to completely remove the dewclaw, and as long as the factors that caused the dewclaw to form are no longer present, it is unlikely it will grow back. During this procedure, an incision is made on the side of the heel, through which the bone spur is removed. The recovery period for this surgery is often long and can take several months.
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