The Symptoms of a Heel Spur

Do you think you have a heel spur? The condition is more than just pain in the feet. It happens when a calcium deposit develops between the arch of the foot, known as the plantar fascia, and the heel bone. You may also hear heel spurs referred to as osteophytes or calcaneal spurs, and these growths can be shelf-shaped, hooked, or pointed. Because of this, heel spurs are often detected by an X-ray.

Oftentimes, heel spurs happen on their own, but they can also be caused by other underlying health issues. In fact, heel spurs usually are the result of stress from repeated actions. Jogging, running, walking, or jumping on hard surfaces for extended periods; walking in worn-out footwear or flip-flops and sandals frequently; or other issues like obesity, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, or gait problems increase the chances of developing a heel spur.

Tap read more for the symptoms of heel spurs to help you figure out if you this condition:

Swelling & Inflammation

Any inflammation associated with a heel spur will be at the front of the heel. When the spur worsens over time, the arch will also swell and become inflamed. The skin may feel tender and hot to the touch. You may also notice some redness.

Should you visit the doctor, they will often check for swelling around the plantar fascia and heel immediately by gently palpating the area. If any inflammation is found, your doctor will probably recommend that you take anti-inflammatory medicine, such as NSAIDs, like ibuprofen. Sometimes, if the inflammation and pain that results from the swelling is unbearable, you have the option of getting an injection.

To reduce swelling, you can also treat a heel spur with ice. Freeze a gel pack or put ice cubes in a plastic Ziploc bag then wrap it in a towel before resting your heel on the pack. Apply ice for no longer than 30 minutes in a single sitting and attempt to re-ice your heel spur frequently, about every 2-3 hours.

Sharp Pains In Foot

One of the most noticeable symptoms of a heel spur would be that initial shock of a sharp pain in the morning, when you put your feet on the ground and attempt to stand up. Many patients describe this pain as a stabbing or a poking feeling. However, there are some people who never feel this stabbing pain in the heel when they try to stand up. Also, it should be noted that foot pain can be caused by a multitude of feet problems, so if you notice a stabbing pain, schedule an appoint with a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist as soon as you can.

The doctor will oftentimes ask questions related to your lifestyle and physical activities. They will want to know what you do that worsens the pain and when the pain is most frequent. You should also let them know about any treatments, such as elevating and icing the foot, that help reduce the pain. To understand the cause of the pain, be ready to walk around the examination room or perform some exercises. Depending on how the heel spur is affecting your gait, you might be prescribed orthopedic insoles or physical therapy.

Visible Protrusion On or Under Heel

Take a close look at the heel of your hurting foot. Do you see a protrusion or a lump under the skin? This bump is the calcium deposit that is causing the heel spur. You can see it because it grows outward, away from the foot and towards the surface of the skin. Sometimes, the deposits are very small and cannot be seen by the naked eye or even felt. However, an X-ray is usually capable of picking up even the tiniest of heel spurs. That said, most doctors will order a CT scan, since CT scans are more precise and will detect spurs that other methods would have missed.

About the time the protrusion is visible, you may be in significant pain. Debilitating heel spurs often need to be taken care of with surgery. During the surgery, also known as an endoscopic plantar fasciotomy, the surgeon will open a small insertion point in the foot and look around with a camera to locate the spur before removing the growth. Once the calcium deposit is removed, new fascia will grow.

After surgery, you will be off your feet for about a week, and it will typically take anywhere between 3-4 weeks before you are completely pain-free.

Problems With Walking

Heel spurs can be problematic, particularly when they cause walking challenges. Depending on the severity of the heel spur, you may have issues with walking on flat surfaces, walking up and down stairs, or running and jumping. At first, the pain may be intermittent, but as the growth gets larger, people noticed that walking even short distances is nearly impossible.

Furthermore, you may end up with alignment issues that disrupt balance if you are favoring the foot with the heel spur. This will cause muscles on one side of the body to be more tense or unstable, and that can lead to injury. Those who have medical conditions or are of advanced age will struggle with heel spurs.

If you are experiencing problems with walking, see a doctor immediately. You may need a walker or cane to aid with mobility until you can get the ailment treated properly.

Chronic Aches In Foot

Beyond the early stages of a heel spur, where you may notice sporadic flashes of pain, the spur grows longer and thicker, and the pain will be more chronic. People describe this chronic aching a number of ways, either as dull or as an unrelenting throbbing. Your footwear will play a role in the pain that you feel, since shoes with more support and padding will oftentimes take pressure off the heel spur, while shoes that lack support will increase pain.

If you believe you have a heel spur, don’t wear sandals, flip-flops, or any other shoe that lacks arch support. Contact a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist to let them know of your symptoms. It may help to keep a symptom journal, especially if the pain does not abate, so you can describe when the pain gets worse or when it dissipates.