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Common Foot
Conditions
Heel
Spurs
What are heel spurs?
Heel spurs are pointed bony outgrowths of the heel.
They are attributed to local inflammation at the
insertion of soft tissue tendons or fascia in the area.
Heel spurs can be located at the back of the heel or
under the heel, beneath the sole of the foot. Heel
spurs at the back of the heel are frequently associated
with inflammation of the Achilles tendon (tendinitis)
and cause tenderness and pain at the back of the heel
made worse while pushing off the ball of the foot.
How do heel spurs relate to plantar fasciitis?
Heel spurs under the sole of the foot (plantar area)
are associated with inflammation of the plantar fascia
(fasciitis), the "bowstring- like" tissue stretching
underneath the sole which attaches at the heel. Plantar
heel spurs cause localized tenderness and pain made
worse when stepping down on the heel.
Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis can occur alone or be
related to underlying diseases that cause arthritis
(inflammation of the joints), such as reactive
arthritis (formerly called Reiter's disease),
ankylosing spondylitis, and diffuse idiopathic skeletal
hyperostosis. It is important to note that heel spurs
may cause no symptoms at all and be incidentally
discovered during x-ray exams taken for other purposes.
How are heel spurs and plantar fasciitis treated?
Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are treated by
measures which decrease the associated inflammation and
avoid reinjury. Local ice applications both reduce pain
and inflammation. Antiinflammatory medications, such as
ibuprofen or injections of cortisone are often helpful.
Orthotic devices or shoe inserts are used to take
pressure off plantar spurs (donut-shaped insert) and
heel lifts can reduce stress on the Achilles tendon to
relieve painful spurs at the back of the heel.
Similarly, sports running shoes with their soft,
cushioned soles can be helpful in reducing irritation
of inflamed tissues from both plantar fasciitis and
heel spurs. Infrequently surgery is performed on
chronically inflamed spurs.
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