A heel spur is a bone growth in the heel that is usually painless, but can cause pain if the plantar fascia ligament swells due to strain or excess weight. Plantar fasciitis is often associated with heel spurs, but they are separate conditions. Treatment includes rest, ice, and good arch support, but surgery may be necessary in extreme cases. A newer procedure, endoscopic plantar fasciotomy, is available but not widely known.
A heel spur is a calcium-storing bone segment that grows into the bottom of a person’s heel. Typically, a heel spur does not cause pain and does not grow unless there is a strong strain on the plantar fascia ligament, which connects the muscles of the bottom of the foot. When this ligament stretches, which can be caused by too much strain or an increased amount of weight being placed on it, it can swell. This condition is called plantar fasciitis and requires medical attention.
A heel spur is evident in 70% of cases of plantar fasciitis. When plantar fasciitis occurs, the bony protrusion of the heel spur affects the swollen ligament, which is why many people believe that heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are closely linked. In fact, they are two separate conditions. A heel spur by itself never causes pain until the plantar fascia ligament swells.
Typically, plantar fasciitis is treated with rest, ice packs, and muscle rubs. Once the condition is reversed, doctors recommend purchasing shoes containing good arch support and adding heel pads to the footwear to prevent a recurrence. Losing excess weight and doing calf stretches before taking part in rigorous activity can also prevent heel spurs. For some, it is even necessary to wrap their feet with tape before playing sports. Most cases of heel spurs and plantar fasciitis do not recur if these guidelines are followed carefully.
In some extreme cases, surgery is needed to get rid of the heel spur and plantar fasciitis. During plantar fasciitis surgery, the bone spur is cut and the plantar fascia is cut and reattached to the heel. Unfortunately, plantar fasciitis and heel spur problems actually increase in 50% of patients after surgery. Additionally, this surgery can create nerve damage and fallen arches, which lead to further pain.
A newer procedure for treating heel spurs, endoscopic plantar fasciotomy, involves making two small, half-inch incisions in the heel. The plantar fascia is then cut, which relieves the pain. Within days, the plantar fascia generates new tissue and repairs the crack. Few physicians are familiar with this procedure, making it difficult for many patients to find qualified endoscopic plantar fasciitis surgeons.
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