What Is a Spur on a Foot or Heel?

A spur on a foot or heel develops as an abnormal growth on the bone due to calcium deposits.

Heel Spurs

• In the foot, the most common spurs are heel spurs. The calcium deposits that cause heel spurs develop when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel bone. The plantar fascia is thick, relatively inflexible, connective tissue on the bottom of the foot.

More about Heel Spurs

• Heel spurs occur when the plantar fascia is stressed beyond its ability to stretch. Contributing factors to heel spurs include flat feet, a high rigid arch, poor shoe support, running on your toes or on soft ground, age, sudden weight increase, or sudden increase in activity.

Other Foot Spurs

• Spurs on other bones in the foot can be caused by arthritis or trauma, or when the attachment point of a ligament or tendon to a bone becomes calcified. This can happen on the bottom of the foot or around the Achilles tendon. (Resource 3)

Treatment

• Treatment for painful spurs may include rest, ice, medications, physical therapy, heel pads, supportive shoes or orthotics, or taping. (Reference 2)

Considerations

• All weight-bearing sports can worsen spurs in the foot, so it's important return to sports activities slowly or substitute non-weight bearing activities.