{"id":5591,"date":"2019-04-11T06:15:08","date_gmt":"2019-04-11T06:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5591"},"modified":"2021-03-30T18:42:36","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T18:42:36","slug":"14-symptoms-of-heel-spur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-symptoms-of-heel-spur\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Symptoms of Heel Spur"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Heel spurs occur when calcium deposits attach to the heel bone as a result of structural imbalances in the feet, as well as the development of conditions like tendonitis, and arthritis. These tiny \u201costeophytes,\u201d are only around a quarter of an inch in length, and they present the affected individual with symptoms of pain and swelling in the heel. In most cases, heel spurs aren\u2019t visible until they start to grow large \u2013 presenting as bumps on the soles of your feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no cure for bone spurs in the heel, and doctors are hesitant to operate on the heel, in case they happen to damage any of the hundreds of nerves endings in the feet. Most people that develop bone spurs will have to live with them for the rest of their days. However, there are steps you can take to treat the condition and reduce the symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what are the symptoms of heel spurs? Here are the most common symptoms, and their effects on your feet and body.
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1.    Sharp Pain in the Heel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first symptom of heel spurs that catches the attention of the affected person is severe pain in their heel that occurs as they get out of bed in the morning. Osteophytes, (bone spurs,) don\u2019t present pain symptoms until they reach a critical mass that\u2019s greater than half an inch or so. However, when they do reach a large size, the pain symptoms come on relatively quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seniors are most at risk of developing heel spurs, and its typically a complication of degenerative bone diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis<\/a>. The sensations of pain come and go depending on the thickness of the heel pad, and whether or not the patient experiences an attack of RA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of pain may increase if the patient experiences the growth of multiple spurs in the same heel. In some cases, the pain may be so severe that the affected individual has to use a walking aid \u2013 such as crutches or a walker, to mitigate the symptoms when moving around.
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2.    Dull Aching Sensation Throughout the Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The symptoms of heel pain related to osteophytes tends to be worse in the morning. When the patient sleeps, the tissues in the heel start to heal, and inflammation <\/a>begins to subside. However, when the patient wakes up in the morning, their feet are at their most sensitive \u2013 and pain symptoms are at their peak during this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the day progresses, pain symptoms typically start to decline to a tolerable level. However, the patient may notice that they develop a dull aching pain that lasts until they go to bed in the evening. In most cases, this pain does not stop the patient from being able to walk, and it’s possible for doctors to mitigate any pain symptoms with the use of painkillers to manage the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dull pain in the heels is typically only a concern for seniors that develop multiple bone spurs and are already dealing with other bone issues \u2013 such as arthritis.
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3.    Inflammation in the Heel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The development of heel spurs causes significant amounts of inflammation to develop in the heel and sole. Patients with severe inflammation, notice that their heel turns bright red and pulsates with pain. These classic signs of inflammation are easy to spot and typically occur when the growth of the spurs starts to accelerate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation symptoms vary widely, depending on the age of the patient, and the size of the spurs. People with multiple large spurs in their heel may experience inflammation and swelling that becomes so severe that they need to have the fluid drained from their heel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation may also be a sign of the onset of tendonitis as well. The heel attaches to the \u201cplantar fascia<\/a>,\u201d a ligament that extends from the heel and connects to the toes \u2014 people who develop plantar fasciitis experience a thickening of the tendon due to stress on the heel. The pain symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis may significantly exacerbate your pain symptoms.
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4.    Radiant Heat Emanating from the Heel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are suffering from the effects of heel spurs<\/a> also notice heat emanating from their heel. This heat is a result of the inflammation in the heel bone spreading to surrounding tissue in the foot. The skin is resilient and expands to cope with the effects of the inflammation. However, the tissues within the foot and heel have their limits on what kind of abuse they can suffer from the additional swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the patient may notice that the skin on their heels and around their ankles feels very tight. If left unmanaged and untreated, the foot will start to throb with pain, and the affected individual may need a trip to the doctor\u2019s office to drain the fluid from their heel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of swelling puts the patient at high risk of developing tendonitis in the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon. Speak to your doctor for medication to manage the inflammation symptoms.
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5.    Bone Protrusions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the advanced stages of heel spurs, the osteophytes begin to show up on the surface of the skin covering the heel. They present as small bumps and vary in their placement and size. Typically, this only occurs in seniors who have multiple spurs on the heel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Younger athletes, runners, and sportspeople won\u2019t develop this condition unless they are already dealing with a contributing disorder \u2013 such as rheumatoid arthritis<\/a>. However, this does not mean that these individuals are out of the woods concerning the growth of their heel spurs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Runners and athletes are among the highest risk group for developing the condition, and if you\u2019re under the age of 50-years old, and experiencing the other symptoms attributed to heel spurs \u2013 the chances are that you\u2019re at risk for the early onset of bone protrusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice any protrusions on your heel, contact your podiatrist for guidance on dealing with the situation, as well as an adjustment to your treatment plan.
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6.    Trouble Walking or Standing for Extended Periods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Heel spurs present pain symptoms when walking. As the patient places their heel on the floor, the spurs irritate the soft tissues <\/a>in the foot. This irritation produces symptoms of pain that vary in intensity, depending on the size and quantity of spurs in the heel. Some people may only experience mild pain that\u2019s more irritating than sore, while others may develop pain symptoms so severe that they prevent them from being able to walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standing around for long periods also produces pain symptoms in those individuals dealing with heel spurs. Standing places pressure on the lower limbs and heel, forcing the spurs to dig into the soft tissues in the heel, causing excruciating pain symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have heel spurs and work a job that requires you to be on your feet all day, you may need to visit your podiatrist for a solution to your problem. Your podiatrist may recommend an assistive walking device to keep the pressure off of your heel while you’re at work.
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7.    Tendon Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bone spurs create a significant amount of inflammation in the heel. Unfortunately, this inflammation has the propensity to move into other areas of the foot as well. As a result of the swelling, the affected individual may start to notice signs of tendonitis <\/a>in the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Achilles tendon attaches at the base of the heel, running up the back of the calve where it connects to the calve muscle. The Achilles is the largest tendon in the body, and when it starts to experience tendonitis, affected individuals may find it painful to flex their foot when walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plantar fasciitis describes a condition where the plantar fascia \u2013 the band of fibrous tissue extending from the heel to the toes, becomes inflamed. As a result, the person may find that they experience symptoms of pain first thing in the morning when they wake up, with symptoms calming down as the day progresses.
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8.    Risk Factors for Developing Heel Spurs
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There are a set of risk factors that make some people more prone to developing heel spurs than others. If you fall into any of the following risk categories, it\u2019s best to make an appointment with your podiatrist to discuss the health of your feet and what you can do to mitigate symptoms of the condition going forward in your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Women who wear high-heel shoes with pointy toe-boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    People over the age of 60-years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Patients who are dealing with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Runners and athletes that have a heavy heel-strike in their running posture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Runners and athletes that wear running shoes with poor design or poor fitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Receiving trauma <\/a>to the ankle or heel through impact \u2013 such as jumping off of a high platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that you\u2019re part of this risk profile, contact your podiatrist for assessment as soon as possible. The sooner that you get ahead of the condition and devise a treatment plan, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Impact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Repetitive impact to the heel of the foot can result in numerous structural disorders of the feet, ankles, knees, and hips. When runners stride, most lead with the heel on their foot strike. This form is an inefficient way of running and ruins the body\u2019s structural foundation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent research shows that leading with the ball of the foot when running is far more efficient and easier on the feet, but it requires retraining the runner on how to land their stride correctly. As a result, many novice runners ingrain the terrible habit of leading with the heel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading your stride with the heel causes the shock of impact on the tarmac or track to enter your heel, transfer to your ankle <\/a>and up the calve to the knee, finishing in the hip. As a result, the runner may start to develop symptoms of tendonitis and joint pain from the repetitive strike. The persistent impact in the heel may cause the development of osteophytes in runners.
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10. Calcium Deposits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When calcium <\/a>leeches from the skeletal system, it starts to form deposits on the surface of the bones. These deposits accumulate in size and quantity over time, leading to osteophytes. These osteophyte spurs can occur in other areas of the body aside from the heels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lower back, neck, shoulders, and knees are all at risk of developing spurs due to calcium deposits. It takes years and even sometimes decades for an osteophyte to reach a size where it starts to initiate symptoms of pain and discomfort. When these symptoms begin to occur, the patient may notice small white bumps developing under the heel pad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some therapists may try to break up the spurs using ultrasound therapy where they bombard the heel with ultrasonic sound waves to break up scar tissue in the heel pad and try to dislodge the spurs. Other procedures like Tenex surgery may have some benefits as well. However, for the majority of people, they will have to deal with the effects of the osteophytes for the rest of their life.
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11. Flat Feet or High Arches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Structural issues with the feet may also lead to the development of heel spurs. People with flat arches tend to let the arch collapse, placing pressure on the heel and an inward angle. Similarly, people with high arches may put outward pressure on the heel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These types of structural issues may cause inflammation <\/a>of the tissues and bones in the heel, causing the onset of bone spurs. People with these problems affecting the feet should consult with a podiatrist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Podiatrists will evaluate your walking posture and look at the structural integrity of your foot. The podiatrists will design a specific set of orthotic inserts for your shoes that helps your feet remain at the correct angle for optimal structural support for the foot and ankle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This orthotic insert trains the foot to walk in the adjusted position, eliminating the inflammation in the feet while training the foot to remain in the new structural posture.
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12. Aging<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many seniors develop heel spurs as part of the natural aging process. As we age, our body starts to lose its skeletal mass through diminishing levels of bone density. The natural aging process causes calcium to leach from the bones and enter the bloodstream <\/a>and tissues throughout the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, much of this calcium attaches to the surface of the bones, causing the growth of osteophytes or bone spurs. These spurs start to limit the joint’s range of motion, leaving seniors with uncomfortable sensations of pain when they try to bend their joint too far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heel spurs occur due to osteophytes growing on the surface of the heel bone. The growths may start small and grow in size and quantity over the course of a few decades. Some seniors receive painful spurs that require them to use assistive walking devices to relieve the pressure from the heel while they walk.
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13. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a set of risk factors that determine if a person is likely to develop heel spurs. These risk factors include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Being over the age of 65-years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Athletes that run or jump in their sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Competitive running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Wearing ill-fitting shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    People with walking gait abnormalities and poor posture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    People who are overweight or obese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Spending too long on your feet during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find that you fit into two or more categories for the development of heel spurs, then there\u2019s a good chance that you will experience them in your lifetime. Arrange a consultation with a podiatrist <\/a>to find out what you can do to mitigate the effects of bone spurs and delay their formation and growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s essential that you form a relationship with your podiatrist and go for regular checkups on your feet at least twice a year to check for the development of any heel spurs in your feet.
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14. Prevention and Treatment Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with heel spurs is a painful experience, and it\u2019s something that many people have to live with for the rest of their lives once they start to show up. It\u2019s vital that you practice preventative care for your heels to halt the formation of spurs and prevent their growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best strategies for preventing bone spurs is to increase circulation in the feet. Wearing compression socks enhances your circulatory capacity in your lower limbs, driving blood back toward the chest. Compression socks feature compressive materials that hug the tissues in your foot providing support in all the right places. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a runner, make sure you\u2019re using the right kind of footwear to match the structure of your feet. At the end of the week of training, it’s advisable to soak your feet in hot water with some Epsom salts <\/a>to relieve any inflammation that may lead to the development of bone spurs.
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