Heel Spurs
Heel Spurs can be confused with heel pain. Find out more.
OVERVIEW
Heel spurs are commonly associated with heel pain and plantar fasciitis. The can be seen on X-ray as a small spur, spike shaped bony growth that originates from the bottom from of the heel bone and they are often blamed for causing pain. This is often not the case.
Heel spurs are commonly associated with heel pain and plantar fasciitis. The can be seen on X-ray as a small spur, spike shaped bony growth that originates from the bottom from of the heel bone and they are often blamed for causing pain. This is often not the case.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our numbers and contact details are listed on the Contact page.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Approximately 50 percent of patients with Plantar Fasciitis have heel spurs, but they are most often an incidental finding and do not correlate well with the patient's symptoms. “You can often evaluate a patient’s X-Ray for a different type of problem and notice a significant heel spur. After questioning, the patient often explains the spur, or their heel, has never caused them pain”.
Approximately 50 percent of patients with Plantar Fasciitis have heel spurs, but they are most often an incidental finding and do not correlate well with the patient's symptoms. “You can often evaluate a patient’s X-Ray for a different type of problem and notice a significant heel spur. After questioning, the patient often explains the spur, or their heel, has never caused them pain”.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our numbers and contact details are listed on the Contact page.
CAUSES
There are numerous reasons for spurs or bumps to form on the heel. Bony cartilaginous tissue can sometimes deposit onto the ligamental (fascial) attachments at the bottom of the heel resulting in a spur shape – a heel spur.
This is a process that can take place over several months and can be caused by strains and stretching on the muscles and ligaments surrounding the foot. Heel spurs are very common among athletes whose activities include large amounts of running and jumping.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our numbers and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
There are numerous reasons for spurs or bumps to form on the heel. Bony cartilaginous tissue can sometimes deposit onto the ligamental (fascial) attachments at the bottom of the heel resulting in a spur shape – a heel spur.
This is a process that can take place over several months and can be caused by strains and stretching on the muscles and ligaments surrounding the foot. Heel spurs are very common among athletes whose activities include large amounts of running and jumping.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our numbers and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
DIAGNOSIS
Bone spurs can be diagnosed by X-ray investigation and evaluation. In some cases, large heel spurs can be palpated by touching the effected portion of the heel, or when the heel presents with a reduced fibro-fatty padding over lying the bone growth. In cases where the heel spur is causing pain the patient will normally explain pain during walking rather than after rest pain and the heel spur faces downwards, towards to ground rather than in most case parallel to the ground on an X-ray investigation.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our numbers and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
Bone spurs can be diagnosed by X-ray investigation and evaluation. In some cases, large heel spurs can be palpated by touching the effected portion of the heel, or when the heel presents with a reduced fibro-fatty padding over lying the bone growth. In cases where the heel spur is causing pain the patient will normally explain pain during walking rather than after rest pain and the heel spur faces downwards, towards to ground rather than in most case parallel to the ground on an X-ray investigation.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our numbers and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
TREATMENT
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our numbers and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our numbers and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
PREVENTION
There seems to be little evidence as to the exact cause of heel spurs, however it is understood that they are associated with
mechanical, physical factors, including: excessive traction forces at the proximal attachment of the Plantar Aponeurosis and its calcaneal insertion, excessive pronation (rolling in of the foot / ankle), reduced range of motion (ROM) at the ankle joint or reduced ROM at the posterior muscles of the lower limb (Triceps Surae).
Changes in life, work, increased weight, trauma and hormonal changes have also been statistically associated with the formation of heel spurs.
It is generally accepted that functional footwear, regular exercise that includes an effective stretching regime of the lower limb can all contribute to avoiding the formation of heel spurs however, we do see them it the fittest of individuals who wear appropriate footwear.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our numbers and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
There seems to be little evidence as to the exact cause of heel spurs, however it is understood that they are associated with
mechanical, physical factors, including: excessive traction forces at the proximal attachment of the Plantar Aponeurosis and its calcaneal insertion, excessive pronation (rolling in of the foot / ankle), reduced range of motion (ROM) at the ankle joint or reduced ROM at the posterior muscles of the lower limb (Triceps Surae).
Changes in life, work, increased weight, trauma and hormonal changes have also been statistically associated with the formation of heel spurs.
It is generally accepted that functional footwear, regular exercise that includes an effective stretching regime of the lower limb can all contribute to avoiding the formation of heel spurs however, we do see them it the fittest of individuals who wear appropriate footwear.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our numbers and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
