The heel spur is a calcium deposit that causes bone protrusions underneath the heel of the bone. Heel spurs originate at the front of the heel and can affect other parts of the foot. They are usually about a quarter inch long; due to this, it may not be visible to the ordinary eye. It can be difficult to detect heel spurs and this is due to the fact that the heel spur is not accompanied by pains and not all the heel pain is connected to spurs.
Even though heel spurs are usually painless but they can cause heel pain. Heel spurs are often associated with plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammation of the fibrous band of connective tissue known as plantar fascia which passes through the base of the foot and connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot.
What are the Causes of a Heel Spur?
As stated above, a heel spur occurs as a result of an accumulation of calcium on the lower side of the heel bone, it takes this process some months before it occurs. There are a lot of things that causes heel spurs and examples include strains on foot muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, reoccurring tearing of the membrane which covers the heel bone. Heel spurs are common in individuals most especially athletes whose daily activities involve large amounts of running and jumping.
Risk factors for the heel spur may include sports activities such as running and jumping.
There are a number of things that increase the risk of developing heel spurs. Examples are listed below:
• Sports activities: activities such as running and jumping can wear down both the heel and arch of the foot.
• Doing activities on hard surfaces: Walking, running, or jumping regularly on hard surfaces can wear down the heel.
• Trauma to the heel: heel spurs can occur from bruising of the heel and tearing of the membrane that covers it.
• Aging: A study carried out in2008 has shown that heel spurs are common in older men and women.
• Be a Woman: Another study carried out in 2014 showed that heel spurs are common in women than men.
• Obesity: It was also discovered by researchers that obesity is also a risk factor for the development of heel spurs.
• Poorly fitted footwear: When you put on shoes that do not fit properly on a regular basis, or shoes that have lost their support for example flip-flops, can cause heel spurs.
There are some basic medical conditions that can cause heel spurs. Examples are listed below:
• reactive arthritis (Reiter's disease)
• ankylosing spondylitis
• diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis
• plantar fasciitis
What are the Symptoms of a Heel Spur?
Usually, heel spurs do not cause any symptoms. However, heel spurs can be connected to occasional or chronic pain, this occurs while you are walking, jogging or running. Generally, the cause of the pain is not the heel spur itself, but the soft tissue injury which is associated with it. To some peoples, they refer to the pains of heel spur and plantar fasciitis as a knife or pin that gum to the bottom of the feet when they stand up for the first time in the morning. This pain later develops to a dull ache.
Heel Spur Treatment
Treatment for a Heel Spur requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your heel. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your heel to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.
Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:
Ice Substitute Poultice
Bruise Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:
Pain Relief Liniment
Tendon and Ligament Poultice
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
