Continuous pounding on firm surfaces can cause a heel spur, which is a bony lump located on the bottom of the heel bone, to develop. And it’s actually a rather common condition that we see in our office. In today’s post, Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, shares what you need to know regarding causes and treatment options for this condition.
For lucky patients, heel spurs remain painless; they’re more a peculiarity than a condition that requires attention or treatment. But if you’re not so lucky, they can become inflamed, causing intermittent or chronic pain. If that occurs, you can say goodbye to running those marathons!
Heel spurs typically develop when:
The condition also is created by:
Treatments range from conservative to surgical. Fortunately, 90% of heel spur cases improve without surgery, but for those that don’t, there are several treatment options.
Here are some common, nonsurgical heel spur treatments.
If conservative options fail, and 9 to 12 months pass with no progress, your podiatrist may recommend surgery to eliminate the heel spur and, in some cases, relieve the plantar fascia muscle. The aim is to decrease pain and get you moving again without feeling discomfort.
If you feel that you might have a heel spur and the pain is beginning to affect your daily activities, contact Dr. Hubert Lee and his team at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling us at 425-455-0936.
