What Are the Treatments for Heelspurs?

A heel spur is a bony growth on the heel that causes pain when walking, especially in the morning when a person first begins walking. The growth usually occurs when the plantar fascia, which are the ligaments that connect to the heel bone. The condition can occur due to a number of causes, such as being overweight, having arthritis, or wearing shoes that do not properly fit. Most heel spurs can be relieved with conservative treatments, yet surgical options are also available.

Pain Relief Medications

• Initial treatments for heel spurs may aim to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, may be helpful in relieving pain. Another option may be to apply a pain-relieving cream, such as Neuro-eze, BioFreeze, or Boswella Cream, all of which may boost circulation, and thus speed healing.

Wearing Properly Fitting Shoes

• The type of shoes you wear most often affects heel spurs the most. Wearing an incorrect shoe can cause pronation, which causes the heel to weaken and rotate outward. A physical therapist or physician can evaluate you for properly fitting shoes. The shoe should be supportive, particularly in the heel area and of the arch.

  If the cause of the heel spur is related to the foot's shape, a custom-made orthotic may be suitable to help those with especially high arches or flat feet. A podiatrist or physical therapist takes a mold of the foot, and then creates a shoe insert designed to support the foot.

At-Home Remedies

• Pain and discomfort often can be relieved through icing the heel or massaging the calf muscles. Another option is to engage in daily stretches that help to lengthen and strengthen the plantar fascia. This can be as simple as pointing and flexing the foot, flexing the foot for 15 seconds at a time, or performing calf stretches.

  A physician also may recommend wearing night splints, which can be purchased at most pharmacies. These aim to support and stretch the foot while sleeping to prevent pain, particularly in the early morning when heel spurs can be most aggravated.

Identifying Causes

• In addition to taking actions to relieve pain, it may be necessary to temporarily cease or cut down on the number of walking or running sessions a person regularly engages in. This frequent pounding to the foot's surface can cause heel spurs and other foot pain. Instead, a person should vary his or her workout routine to include lower-impact exercises, such as water aerobics or bicycling or spinning.

  If heel spurs are due to being overweight, aiming to eat a healthy diet could help the sufferer to lose weight and therefore reduce the pressure applied to the heel.

In Extreme Cases

• For those who do not see relief with conservative treatments, surgery to stretch or even detach the plantar fascia can be recommended. As with any surgery, there are risks and rewards associated with this type of surgery. One of the most common side effects is arch weakness. However, pain has shown to be significantly reduced when this type of surgery is used in the treatment of heel spurs and plantar fascitis.