Identifying Heel Spurs for Effective Treatment

A heel spur, also called a calcaneal spur, is an outgrowth of calcium that builds up on the bottom of the heel over time. The calcium buildup is caused by repeated stress of the heel, which can occur from too much walking and running, wearing poorly fitted or worn-out shoes, excessive body weight, and arthritis. Heel spurs can also grow in patients who are living with diabetes, spend most of the day on their feet, or have flat feet or high arches.

Pain in the Heel

Most times, a heel spur won’t affect your everyday life. However, if the calcium buildup becomes substantial enough, it can cause inflammation of the surrounding tissues. This can result in a sharp pain when one first stands on their feet after a period of rest. The pain will get less sharp as you go about your day, eventually fading into a dull ache.

One thing to keep in mind is that pain in the heel doesn’t necessarily mean a spur is present. Heel pain can be caused by a variety of conditions. The only way to correctly diagnose a bone spur is via an X-ray.

Get the Treatment You Need

Residents of Laramie and other cities in Wyoming who are experiencing heel pain can rely on the board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists at Premier Bone & Joint Centers for treatment. During your physical examination, we’ll rule out other conditions that may be affecting your heel. From there, we can order an X-ray to determine if you do indeed have a heel spur.

Typically, all that’s needed to treat a heel spur is a cold compress, over-the-counter medicines, and maybe anti-inflammatory injections for chronic pain. Lifestyle changes such as physical therapy, stretching, and resting your feet can also go a long way toward relief. In severe circumstances, our highly experienced surgeons can remove the spur in surgery.

Contact Premier Bone & Joint Centers today to make an appointment with one of our physicians. We’ll correctly diagnose the source of your heel pain and recommend the best course of action.