What symptoms occur if heel spurs go untreated?

Untreated heel spurs can lead to various symptoms and complications, including:

1. Persistent Pain: The primary symptom of a heel spur is persistent pain in the heel area, especially when bearing weight or walking.

2. Inflammation: The surrounding tissues around the heel spur can become inflamed, causing swelling, tenderness, and redness.

3. Bone Growth: In some cases, the heel spur may grow larger over time, further exacerbating pain and inflammation.

4. Walking Difficulty: The pain caused by heel spurs can make walking and daily activities challenging and uncomfortable.

5. Limping: Individuals with severe pain may develop a limp to avoid putting pressure on the affected heel.

6. Reduced Mobility: The pain and discomfort can restrict mobility and limit participation in physical activities.

7. Chronic Heel Pain: Untreated heel spurs can lead to chronic heel pain, which may persist for months or even years.

8. Secondary Injuries: The altered gait and limping to avoid pain can put strain on other parts of the foot, ankle, knee, and hip, potentially leading to additional injuries.

9. Ruptured Plantar Fascia: In severe cases, the chronic inflammation and strain on the plantar fascia (the connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot) can cause it to rupture, resulting in intense pain and limited mobility.

To avoid these complications, it's important to seek prompt evaluation and treatment for heel spurs. Early intervention can often resolve the issue and prevent the development of more severe symptoms and long-term problems.