1 in 10 Americans have heel spurs, a common condition characterized by heel pain and inflammation. At Greenwood Foot Clinic, board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon Mark Lazar, DPM, and podiatrist and foot surgeon Stephen Tentler, DPM, and the team, provide various treatments for heel spurs, including custom orthotics and minimally invasive surgery. To make an appointment, call the office in Greenwood or Martinsville, Indiana, or book online today.
A heel spur is a hard, bony growth that forms on the bottom of your foot where your heel and plantar fascia meet. Heel spurs develop slowly over an extended period. Heel spurs don’t always present symptoms at first, but as the growth gets bigger, it may cause pain and mobility issues.
Symptoms of heel spurs include:
Depending on the size of the heel spur, you might also experience a dull, aching pain when standing up, walking, or exercising.
Heel spurs are your body’s natural response to general wear-and-tear. As you age, activities like walking, running, and exercising, put stress on the ligaments and tendons in your feet. Your body responds to this stress by forming a bony bump. Several other factors are known to cause heel spurs as well, including structural abnormalities and abnormal gaits.
The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic diagnoses heel spurs during an in-office visit.
Your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when the heel pain started and if it's worse during certain activities. Next, your provider examines your heel, looking for redness, swelling, or bruising. They also have you walk around the exam room to observe your gait and foot mechanics.
If an exam doesn’t provide enough insight into your condition, your provider orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI. These procedures provide detailed photos of your bones, joints, and soft tissues.
Treatment of heel spurs depends on several factors, including their size and location and the severity of your symptoms. The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic might recommend:
If your symptoms don’t improve or they get worse, the team might recommend surgery, but only as a last resort.
There’s no way to prevent heel spurs entirely, but you can reduce your risk. The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic recommends maintaining a healthy weight, wearing shoes that support your arches, and working out on soft surfaces (like grass) instead of concrete or pavement.
To explore the treatment options for heel spurs, make an appointment at Greenwood Foot Clinic by calling the office or booking online today.