Heel Spurs: Symptoms and Treatment Options

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If you’ve been experiencing heel pain or sensitivity without any apparent cause, you may have a heel spur. Although in some cases, they don’t cause severe discomfort, heel spurs are often associated with a painful condition that causes inflammation known as plantar fasciitis. Today Dr. Stuart Snyder and Dr. Sara Sharma of Maple Springs Foot Center, LLC are sharing information regarding the typical symptoms, causes, and treatment options for this painful condition. 

What Are Heel Spurs?

Overstraining ligaments often cause a heel and foot muscles, overreaching the plantar fascia and frequently tearing the membrane of the heel bone.  

Risk factors for developing heel spurs include:

  • Walking gait abnormalities;

  • Regularly jogging or running on harder surfaces;

  • Poorly-fitted or worn out shoes;

  • Being excessively overweight;

  • Wearing shoes without proper arch support.

 What Are the Symptoms of Heel Spurs?

Heel spurs on their own do not carry many symptoms, but they are often related to other conditions. The most common sign of this combination of conditions is having chronic pain along the back or bottom of the heel, particularly during periods of running, jogging, or walking.  

If you are experiencing this recurrent inflammation, it’s a good idea to visit your podiatrist's office to discuss the possibility of undergoing an ultrasound or x-ray inspection of the foot. 

What are the Treatment Options for Heel Spurs?

The various treatment options for heel spurs are typically centered around avoiding re-injury and decreasing inflammation. They include:

  • Applying ice to the inflamed area;

  • Wearing shoe inserts or orthotic devices to diminish the pressure off of the spur;

  • Doing stretch exercises;

  • Taking anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen to provide relief from pain. 

In more extreme cases of heel spurs, or chronically-inflamed spurs, surgery may be required. If you are dealing with symptoms of pain in your feet or think you may have heel spurs, contact the offices of Dr. Stuart Snyder and Dr. Sara Sharma of Maple Springs Foot Center, LLC to schedule an appointment. Call us today us at (301) 762-3338 or book your appointment online.  

Don’t ignore your pain – we can help you get back on your feet.

foot pain, foot conditionsMaple Springs Foot Centerheel spurs, plantar fasciitis