Heel Spur Relief

Heel spurs are also known as plantar fasciitis. They are due to a bony overgrowth on the bottom of the foot at the heel and happen when the plantar fascia tissue that connects the heel of the foot to the toes becomes painful and inflamed. Heel spurs make your first steps out of bed in the morning very painful. They usually occur with athletes, overweight individuals, women who are pregnant and those who wear shoes with inadequate support.

Medication

• Medications can help relieve the pain of a heel spur, though it will not solve the problem. NSAIDs can lessen the inflammation in the area of the spur. Corticosteroids work by rubbing the area that is experiencing pain. These are cortisone steroids that are in the form of a cream. Cortisone injections to alleviate pain may also be given but are not recommended because they can weaken the plantar fascia and even cause rupture of the tissue.

Therapy

• Your physician may suggest physical therapy to treat a heel spur. A physical therapist can show you exercises that will effectively stretch the tissue so that it will strengthen muscles and better help support the foot and ankle. A splint can be worn at night to keep your plantar fascia lengthened. This treatment can make getting out of bed in the morning less painful. You may also use inserts in your shoes to provide the heel with better support, which will distribute the weight of your body onto your foot more efficiently and cause less pain.

Other Treatments

• Shock waves can be used to help aid in the healing process. This treatment has been known to cause bruising and swelling and is not generally effective. Surgery can also be done to detach the plantar fascia from the heel to alleviate the tightness and help aid in healing. This is done as a last resort but is usually not a good alternative, because it can weaken the arch support.