Heel Spurs

Heel spurs treatment in the Harris County, TX: Willowbrook, Lakewood Forest, Jersey Village, Louetta, Klein, Hedwig Village, Cypress (Bridgeland), Memorial, Copperfield Place (Park Row), and Northwest Houston areas

Heel Spurs Treatment in Houston (Cypress) and Houston (Memorial), TX

Heel spurs are deposits of calcium that build upon the underside of the heel bone. They are usually caused by excessive strain on the foot muscles and ligaments and are especially common among athletes. Other risk factors for developing heel spurs include being overweight or obese, wearing ill-fitting shoes, and having an abnormal gait or walking pattern.

Heel spurs often don’t cause any symptoms and go undetected. When they do cause symptoms, it is usually because of soft-tissue injuries around the heel spur, rather than the heel spur itself, that is the root of the problem. The most common symptom of a heel spur is a sharp or stabbing heel pain that is at its worst when you take your first few steps after a long period of rest, such as when you get out of bed in the morning. The pain may become a dull ache as you go about your day. Sometimes a heel spur can also cause intermittent or chronic pain when you walk, jog, or run.

Heel spurs are typically diagnosed through a physical examination and imaging studies like X-rays. Treatment recommendations may include doing certain foot stretches, modifying your footwear, wearing orthotics, or using night splints. Over-the-counter medications can be used to relieve pain and inflammation. Surgical treatment may be considered if more conservative measures have failed to alleviate your symptoms, but surgery is rarely required for heel spurs.

If you are experiencing heel pain, please see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Heel Spurs (FAQs)

What are heel spurs?
Heel spurs are calcium deposits that produce bony growths on the underside of the heel bone. They may or may not cause heel pain. Heel spurs are typically diagnosed through an X-ray. 
What does a heel spur feel like?
Heel spurs may not cause any symptoms. Many people have heel spurs and don’t even know it until they show up on an X-ray for other foot conditions. For others, heel spurs can cause heel pain, inflammation, discomfort, or difficulty walking or doing physical activities. They frequently co-occur with plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. 
What causes heel spurs?
Heel spurs form over a period of months as strain on foot muscles and ligaments and stretching of the plantar fascia lead to tears forming in the membrane that covers the heel bone. Calcium then deposits in the area under the heel in response to these repetitive traumas, forming bony heel spurs. People who have an abnormal gait, frequently run or jog, wear poorly-fitted shoes, are overweight or obese, have flat feet, or stand for prolonged periods of time may be more at risk of developing heel spurs. 
Can you get rid of heel spurs?
Treatments for heel spurs include stretching exercises, footwear and activity modifications, taping or strapping the affected foot, wearing orthotics, and taking over the counter pain medications. While the majority of people see improvement with conservative treatments, a small percentage of people may need surgical intervention to release the plantar fascia ligament or remove a spur. You should consult with your podiatrist to determine the best course of action for you. 

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