Heel Pain and Bone Spurs

 Injury to the heel bone ( calcaneal tuberosity ) can result in pain from nearly every angle: back, front, sides, and underneath. 

Reasons for Heel Pain

The biggest causes of heel pain are injuries to the bone, ligaments, tendons, and tissue of the foot and ankle. These injuries are commonly caused by stress, strain, and too much pressure on the various parts of the ankle and foot. Here are some of the typical activities that have led to heel pain for our patients:

• walking, running, or jumping on hard surfaces
• wearing poorly constructed footwear
• being overweight

Injuries that Cause Heel Pain

Here are some of the specific injuries and ailments that impact the heel:

• Plantar fasciitis (possibly the highest cause of heel pain) – irritation and inflammation of tissue
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome – caused by compressed nerves
• Bursitis – a small growth of soft-tissue or fluid that can act like a heel spur
• Haglund’s deformity – an enlargement of bone on the back of the heel
• Achilles tendinitis – an injury to the Achilles tendon which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone
• Bone bruises – inflammation of the tissues that cover the heel bone
• Fracture (break) – typically a stress fracture
• Excessive Pronation – similar to an overuse injury, this is caused by over working the normal movements and workings of the foots arch
• Heel spurs – build up of calcium deposits typically found underneath the heel

Heel Spurs & Causes

Heel spurs are one of the most common heel deformities. These calcaneal spurs sometimes cause pain, but are often painless. They can develop on their own, but are sometimes brought on by other foot and heel injuries. 

A heel spur is a buildup of calcium deposits on the heel that create a spur like shape up to 1cm in length. These pointed bony spurs are typically located at the bottom of the heel (inferior calcaneal spur), and the back of the heel (posterior calcaneal spur). 

Many of the most common causes of heel spurs are similar to other heel pain causes.  Here are some of the issues that can lead to a heel spur:

• Arthritis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Poorly fitting shoes or consistently wearing flip-flops 
• Your gait (how you walk)
• Stretching of the tissue connecting the heel & ball of the foot
• Repeatedly tearing away of the membrane that covers the heel bone
• Calcium build ups due to ongoing injuries and stress

Symptoms of Heel Injuries & Spurs

The most obvious symptom of a heel injury is simply pain on your heel. However, with the complex makeup of the foot and ankle, a heel injury can cause pain to radiate across the foot – making it harder to initially diagnose. 

Here are the symptoms that can help you better understand if you’re facing a heel injury:

• Swelling on the bottom or back of the heel
• Redness on the heel
• Radiating heat from the heel
• Pain on the arch of the foot
• An initial shooting pain when you first stand up

Often the best way to diagnose a heel injury and formulate a treatment option is through an X-ray and here at Prestige Healthcare we can refer you on to suitable health professional if additional diagnostics are required.

Diagnosing Heel Spurs

Heel spurs do not always cause pain, and bone protrusions are not always visible to the naked eye. At times, heel spurs have no symptoms at all. Sometimes an X-ray will be needed to diagnosis a heel spur.

 Here are some heel spur symptoms you may be able to recognize without the help of an X-ray:

• Chronic heel pain – especially when active
• Pointed and sharp pain on the heel
• Inflammation
• Points of tenderness at the bottom or back of the heel
• Difficulty & irritation when walking barefoot
• A visible bump on the heel
• Irritability on the heel from various shoe types
• Swelling

Treatments: How To Cure Heel Spurs & Pain

Heel injuries and pain, whether caused by heel spurs or not, often have similar treatments. 

Heel Pain & Spur Treatment

When our clinicians consider treatments for heel pain or spurs they look to reduce inflammation and irritation, while also preventing future injury.

Non-surgical treatment options:

• Icing & cold compress
• Night splints
• Protective boots
• Anti-inflammatory & pain medications (NSAIDS)
• Custom orthotics & inserts
• Rest
• Stretching
• Physiotherapy

Shoes For Heel Spurs

Not only do custom orthotics and inserts help with heel spurs, but so do the shoes you choose to wear. Specifically, the best shoes to prevent or aid heel spurs are shoes with: 

• Heavily cushioned soles, such as running shoes
• Shock absorbent
• Supportive heel counter
• Are not too tight or loose

Here at Prestige Healthcare we have an extensive choice of suitable footwear for this condition.

Conservative and Surgical Treatments

Our Clinicians at Prestige Healthcare will always look to conservative treatment options for your heel pain and injuries first. However, at times referral for surgery to remove spurs or release the plantar fascia may be necessary.

For more information about heel pain and bone spurs or to have an assessment or some treatment contact us by filling out the form below, emailing or calling us.