We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Most Common Heel Spur Symptoms?

By Christina Edwards
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,417
Share

A bone spur on the calcaneous, or heel bone, is commonly called a heel spur. A heel spur will sometimes rub on and irritate the surrounding soft tissues causing them to become inflamed, especially the plantar fascia, which is the tissue that helps create the arch in the human foot. The most common heel spur symptoms include pain, which occurs mainly in the foot, but it can also spread to the legs and back if the condition is not treated. Other heel spur symptoms include swelling and inflammation of the Achilles tendon or plantar fascia.

Probably the most common of all of the heel spur symptoms is heel pain. This pain is often described as a sharp or stabbing pain. It is typically felt around the heel of either foot.

At first, pain is usually most frequently felt in the morning after a person wakes up and takes his first steps of the day. After walking for a bit, the pain will generally dissipate as the soft tissue adjusts and moves to accommodate the bony growth. If not treated right away, these heel spur symptoms may worsen. For example, a person may wake up every morning with severe heel pain instead of a few mornings per week. Pain may also begin happening after other periods of inactivity, such as sitting or lying down for a short amount of time.

As time goes on, heel spur symptoms will usually worsen and pain will begin to spread to other parts of the body. People with severe heel pain may begin to change their walking style. This change in a person's natural stride can begin to cause stress on the knees, hips, and back, eventually causing pain there as well.

Heel spur symptoms can also include swelling of certain areas. A heel spur that is located at the back of the heel bone can rub on and irritate the Achilles tendon, which is the tendon that join the calf muscles to the heel. Plantar faciitis is another common problem associated with heel spurs. This can occur when the heel spur rubs on the connective tissue, known as the plantar fascia, that helps form the arch of the foot. To avoid any further damage to any of these areas, treatment may be required.

Treatment for this condition typically begins by attempting to relieve the heel spur symptoms. Resting the affected foot is considered to be very important, according to most podiatry experts, as this will typically cause the inflammation to calm down and prevent any further injury. Ice and anti-inflammatory medications are also used to help relieve any swelling and inflammation. In severe cases, a patient may have to undergo a special surgery, known as osteophyte surgery to remove the bone spur from the heel.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-most-common-heel-spur-symptoms.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.