7 Ways to Treat Your Heel Spur

Continuous pounding on firm surfaces can cause a heel spur, which is a bony lump located on the bottom of the heel bone, to develop. And it’s actually a rather common condition that we see in our office. In today’s post, Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, shares what you need to know regarding causes and treatment options for this condition.

For lucky patients, heel spurs remain painless; they’re more a peculiarity than a condition that requires attention or treatment. But if you’re not so lucky, they can become inflamed, causing intermittent or chronic pain. If that occurs, you can say goodbye to running those marathons!

Causes of Heel Spurs

Heel spurs typically develop when:

• The patient has plantar fasciitis
• Foot ligaments and muscles are strained.
• Membranes that surround the heel bone tear
• Repeated foot pounding causes calcium deposits to accumulate on the bottom of the heel bone.

The condition also is created by:

• Gait abnormalities
• Running or jogging on hard surfaces.
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Excess weight or obesity
• Standing on your feet a lot
• High arches or flat feet
• Diabetes
• Aging.

Treatment Options for Heel Spurs

Treatments range from conservative to surgical. Fortunately, 90% of heel spur cases improve without surgery, but for those that don’t, there are several treatment options.

Here are some common, nonsurgical heel spur treatments.

• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
• Ice packs after exercise
• Stretching exercises, particularly before bed
• Injections of anti-inflammatory medications
• Orthotic shoe inserts that provide arch support.
• Physical therapy
• Rest

If conservative options fail, and 9 to 12 months pass with no progress, your podiatrist may recommend surgery to eliminate the heel spur and, in some cases, relieve the plantar fascia muscle. The aim is to decrease pain and get you moving again without feeling discomfort.

If you feel that you might have a heel spur and the pain is beginning to affect your daily activities, contact Dr. Hubert Lee and his team at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling us at 425-455-0936.