FACTS ON HEEL SPURS
WHAT ARE HEEL SPURS?
Heel spur is a growth of bone that appears on the bottom of the heel. It is a calcium deposit causing a bony protrusion on the under surface of the heel bone. Consult your CuraFoot doctor for a thorough diagnosis.
WHAT CAUSES HEEL SPURS?
- Heel spurs are caused when a muscle or a ligament (or both) in the foot is strained
- When the plantar fascia gets stretched resulting in inflammation at its insertion in the heel
- This is common among athletes who have to run and jump a lot
Risk factors for heel spurs include:
- Gait abnormalities while walking which place stress on the heel bone
- Running or jogging on hard surfaces
- Obesity and over weight individuals
HOW TO RELIEVE AND HELP PREVENT HEEL SPURS?
Even if you have pain, you may not even know you have heel spurs until an X-ray reveals them, so it is important to talk to a doctor about your symptoms for a proper diagnosis. In order to provide you with pain relief, your doctor may recommend a course of treatment or develop a pain management plan that may include:
- Stretching exercises
- Taping or strapping to rest stressed muscles and tendons
- Physical therapy
- Shoe Inserts and Orthotics
- Splints at night
