Having pain in your feet can make every day a drag. Your feet carry you around where you want to go, help you participate in the activities you love, and so much more. You rely on them daily, so you know how hard it is when they’re hurting. Heel spurs are one of the most consistently painful issues that we often treat patients for here at San Antonio Podiatry Associates.
Despite the enthusiasm for the San Antonio Spurs, we see no such excitement for this kind. A heel spur is a bony outgrowth on the underside of the foot. It can cause pain or discomfort, or it can remain undetected and only caught by an x-ray for unrelated issues. So how can you tell if you have one? Read on for more information about heel spurs!
What causes heel spurs?
Heel spurs are brought about by a calcium deposit between your foot’s arch and ankle. As strain from your muscles and ligaments wear down the soft tissue of your heel over time, it creates room for spurs to grow. If the membrane covering the heel bone tears, it can also create an opening for spur growth.
We often see heel spurs in runners or other athletes. Shoes that lack support or don’t fit correctly can exacerbate the growth of a spur. Some pre-existing medical issues like Reiter’s disease (reactive arthritis), ankylosing spondylitis, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperstosis, or plantar fasciitis can increase your risk of developing spurs.
What does a heel spur feel like?
Heel spurs can present as a sharp pain when you first stand up in the morning or a dull ache throughout the day. Swelling, tenderness, and inflammation can also occur in the heel and the area can also feel hot. If you have a severe case, a visible boney protrusion can present under the heel.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to check in with a doctor for an x-ray to confirm the spur’s existence and rule out other issues.
How is a heel spur treated?
Taking pressure off of the affected heel and giving it some rest will reduce pain and swelling. Your podiatrist can also help make custom orthotics to take pressure off of the heel and support your feet better. If you’re an athlete, your podiatrist might recommend some pressured sports socks as well.
Depending on the severity, your doctor might prescribe anti-inflammatory medication or cortisone injections to reduce swelling. In rare cases, surgery might be necessary to remove the spur. If the spur was caused by an underlying condition, your podiatrist can work with your primary caregiver to help treat those symptoms as well.
Get the relief you deserve
If you’re experiencing any of these heel spur symptoms, call us at San Antonio Podiatry Associates! It is the priority of our podiatrists to deliver effective, compassionate foot and ankle care so that you can stay active and healthy on your feet! Get in touch with any of our locations in the San Antonio area by calling 210-899-1026 or contacting us online.
