What the heck is a heel spur and how do I end up with one? I have heard doctors and patients talk about heel spurs, but I have never known exactly what it is. I checked it out and a heel spur is actually a hook of bone. That hook forms on the bone of the heel and then in turn causes pain by inflaming the plantar fascia which is tissue in the arch of the foot. However, though one often causes the other, be careful not to confuse heel spurs with plantar fasciitis.

We are most susceptible to heel spurs in our middle age years. Generally they are found in those with a history of foot pain that comes from plantar fasciitis. They are also most often found in middle-aged men and women. However, bone spurs can be found in anyone at any age. Generally the heel spur is not the primary cause of the pain, but instead is an indirect cause. The spur inflames and irritates the plantar fascia and thus causes great discomfort in the patient. The way most bone spurs are diagnosed by the doctor is through the use of x-rays. Your doctor will look fo ra hook of bone sticking out from the bottom of your foot. Generally, it will be located where the tissue in the arch of your foot is attached to the heel bone.

You may also be wondering how you end up with heel spurs. There is a lot of stress on the tissue in the arch of your foot and that tissue is anchored by the heel bone. Therefore, there is a lot of stress on those tissues and the heel at the same time. That stress can result in plantar fascia. About 70% of those with plantar fascia end up with heel spurs.

If you have heel spurs there are a number of treatments available. Your doctor, in fact, will likely have you use a combination of them. You will be told to rest and avoid jogging and exercising on your feet for a few days. You may be asked to ice the area to control the pain and reduce inflammation as the heel spur heals. You may also do specific exercises and stretches designed to relax the tissues that surround your heel bone. There are also medications you can take, these are anti-inflammatory medications that help decrease the inflammation and control the pain of heel spurs. Some doctors prescribe shoe inserts to allow you to continue normal activities. Lastly, there are night splints that keep your heel stretched out at night while you sleep. Most of the treatments or combinations of them will help to clear up the pain and inflammation of heel spurs in as little as 90 days.

Heel spurs, though not often talked about, are a common problem. They are often linked to the problem of plantar fasciitis, but are a separate issue. The two are connected, however, and are treated in much the same way since one often causes the other. If you suspect you have heel spurs that are causing you discomfort, consult a physician and see if it can be diagnosed. Once you reach that stage, you can talk with your doctor about a treatment regimen that will work for you.