Relief for Heel Spurs

Heel spurs, also known as plantar fasciitis, can be easily remedied with a few at-home treatments. Heel spurs occur when tendons attached to the foot become scarred and inflamed, causing a protrusion of the heel bone. This condition is the result of an injury to the tendons that attach to the heel. Instead healing properly, the tendon develops scarring, which can lead to inflammation and pain in the form of a heel spur.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

• Plantar fasciitis is actually a healing process for the fascia, a band of tissue located on the bottom of the foot. When the fascia of the foot are injured, the injured tissue begins to heal while you are sleeping. While it heals, it creates scar tissue that is significantly shorter than the normal ligaments. When you stand, you have pain in the heel because of the scar tissue stretching as you put pressure on the foot. This stretching re-injures the fascia, and the process begins again as soon as you go to sleep. This is why plantar fasciitis pain is most noticeable first thing in the morning.

How to Treat Plantar Fasciitis

• If you suffer form plantar fasciitis, you can wear a specialized foot brace while you sleep to help stretch out the foot. During the night, your feet end up in a pointed position, causing the scar tissue and ligaments to shorten even more. Using a foot brace that keeps your foot in a flex position will allow the foot to heal while creating longer scar tissue, so you are not re-injuring your foot when you walk first thing in the morning. Stretching the foot throughout the day will help ease the pain associated with plantar fasciitis by lengthening the fascia.

Medication

• Some patients with heel spurs seek medical attention and receive medication to alleviate their pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as arthritis medications, help ease the inflammation of the fascia. Medication, however, does not cure the condition; it simply relieves the pain. Most patients will use medications along with a splint to help heal the tissue. You must allow the tissue to heal properly to eliminate the condition.

Surgery

• Most cases of plantar fasciitis can be remedied with a splint and lots of rest; however, if the condition is severe enough, you may need surgery. Most physicians, though, will reserve surgery for only the most severe cases, as a last resort. Surgery can have a complications, including fallen arches, nerve damage and infection. Yet if the condition is severe enough, patients and their doctors may see surgery as their only hope for a pain-free existence.

Avoiding Heel Pain

• Wearing proper shoes is the best way to avoid injuring and re-injuring your foot. Shoes that have enough arch support and a solid heel cushion will keep the pressure off your fascia. Try to avoid walking barefoot on non-carpeted or hard floor. Without adequate arch support, the foot must bare the weight of the entire body, placing pressure on the fascia. Exercise is important to maintain good health, but always stretch your feet before beginning exercising to maintain good foot health. Stretching out the Achilles tendon before and after working out will help keep the fascia in good, healthy condition.