Few things are more painful than heel spurs, which is why many residents of McKees Rock, Pennsylvania, turn to skilled practitioners Scott Norris, DPM, and Camille Christensen, DPM, for care. The entire team at C&S Foot and Ankle in McKees Rock, Pennsylvania, shares a dedication to compassionate, personalized care. Booking a visit is fast and easy with online and phone options.
request an appointmentWhat are heel spurs?
Heel spurs are small calcium deposits that develop on the underside portion of your heel bone. These tiny build-ups create pain as you place weight on your foot. Many people report a sharp pain when they first stand up in the morning, shifting to dull, aching pain throughout the day. Sharper pain returns upon standing after a period of sitting down.
Heel spurs develop where your heel bone connects to your plantar fascia, the connective tissue running between your heel and the ball portion of your foot. They develop slowly, and you may not experience painful symptoms until the spur becomes large enough to create soft tissue damage.
What causes heel spurs?
Researchers believe that heel spurs develop when the plantar fascia, ligaments, and muscles within your foot become strained by overuse. Numerous additional contributing factors increase your risk of developing heel spurs, including:
- Being overweight or obese
- Spending hours on your feet each day
- Flat feet or high arches
- Short bursts of increased activity
- Wearing poorly fitting shoes or shoes that lack proper support
- Abnormalities in your walking gait that create undue stress on your feet
If you experience pain in your heels that seem to improve when sitting or during sleep, schedule a diagnostic visit to determine if you have heel spurs.
What can be done to treat heel spurs?
You might find relief from painful heel spurs by resting and removing strain from your feet. Icing the bottom of your foot can help relieve pain; over-the-counter pain medications might also help.
Finding properly fitting shoes or wearing orthotic shoe inserts can help by redistributing the pressure placed on your heels as you walk. You might also want to try wearing a night splint to keep your foot stationary as you sleep and to allow for stretching of the calf muscles.
If conservative treatments don’t yield the desired results, surgery to remove your bone spurs may be necessary. Your podiatrist might also recommend a procedure to release the plantar fascia to reduce pain. If you’re thinking about surgical solutions, your specialist works closely with you to ensure you understand the risks and recovery process before making a decision.
When you’re ready to find relief from foot pain, the team at C&S Foot and Ankle is here to help. Simply call the office to schedule a visit or spend a few moments on the online booking page.
