HEEL SPUR

General Information

DEFINITION--A hard, bony growth in the tissue of the heel that causes pain and difficulty walking.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Heel, including the calcaneus (the major bone in the heel).

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Adults. The condition is fairly common among runners and other athletes.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• No symptoms sometimes.
• Pain and tenderness in the sole of the foot, under the heel bone. Pain occurs after resting or after rising in the morning.

CAUSES--Stress or injury to the heel tissues, which causes inflammation and calcification of ligaments in the foot.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Running or jogging. The condition is less likely with vigorous walking.
• Prolonged standing.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Avoid activities that put constant strain on the foot. Switch to swimming or cycling.
• Wear a shoe with a rubber or felt heel cushion.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• X-rays of the heel.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.
• Surgery to remove the spur if other treatments fail (rare). (See Heel-Spur Removal in Surgery section.)

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Lower-back or knee disorders caused by constant limping.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Usually curable with conservative treatment. If not, heel spurs are curable with surgery.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Place a heel cup or felt insert in the shoe to relieve pressure on the heel.
• Get advice from your doctor or a podiatrist (See Glossary) about custom made shoe inserts to correct structural foot problems.
• For acute pain, use a cold compress or ice pack 3-4 times a day for 10-15 minutes each time.

MEDICATION--

• To relieve minor pain and inflammation, you may use non-prescription drugs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
• Your doctor may inject steroids into the inflamed area to reduce inflammation.

ACTIVITY--Stay off your feet as much as possible, especially at the beginning of treatment.

DIET--No special diet, unless you are overweight. If so, lose weight to reduce stress on the foot.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of a heel spur.
• Pain or disability persists, despite treatment.