How Plantar Fasciitis Contributes to the Onset of Heel Spurs
What Causes the Pain Associated With Heel Spurs

Heel spurs are hardened tissue growth at the heel where the tendons are found. Common symptoms of a heel spur are intense pain in the heel when stretching the foot and aching in the foot that does not go away. These boney growths can protrude into the swollen tissue in the foot and cause pain. At the onset, the pain can be very sharp and is usually most noticeable upon standing. Over time, the pain can subside to a dull ache, but this can become a constant source of irritation for the patient. Heel bone spurs cause pain by poking at flesh that has become very inflamed and irritated, a condition known as plantar fascia inflammation.

A Trigger for Heel Spurs

A common trigger of heel spurs is when the Plantar Fascia, the thick connective tissue that attaches the toes to the heel becomes inflamed. This abnormal stress on the heel causes calcification of the soft tissue in the foot, creating plantar fasciitis. Reasons that this occurs include abnormal stress, excessive weight, age or poor foot function. When the tissue becomes more rigid, it is torn over and over by the repeated use of the foot. As the tissue becomes inflamed, it results in heel spurs.

How to Diagnose and Treat Heel Spurs

To properly diagnose this condition you need a foot x-ray. With an x-ray, your doctor can verify that a heel spur has developed. You can treat this condition by simply elevating your foot or consider more extreme measures like foot surgery. By applying mild heat to the area you can lessen the inflammation. This alleviates the pain by dilating the blood vessels in the foot and increasing blood circulation. Many people notice that simply wearing orthotics can provide significant relief. These devices provide additional arch support and can help correct over-pronation. By reducing the stress on the Plantar Fascia, the tissues in the foot are allowed to heal properly. Many orthotics come with additional heel pads that act as shock absorbers for the heel which help to immediately relieve the pain. Also, physical therapy treatments such as diathermy can lessen inflammation. This process uses an electrical current to produce heat that will ease plantar fascia inflammation.

Easy Ways to Avoid Heel Spurs

One way to help prevent heel spurs is stretch the foot and calf before strenuous exercise. By stretching these tissues, you allow them to become more and more flexible which reduces the likelihood of plantar fascia inflammation. It is also essential to wear shoes that fit properly and provide ample arch support and cushioning to the foot. Heel spurs can be avoided by adding orthotics to your shoes to help avoid stress on the Plantar Fascia. Keeping aware of our feet is a very important step in staying healthy. Healthy feet are a vital component to our well-being.