Heel bone spurs are hard bony formations. The bone spur irritates surrounding nerves and bones in the back of the foot, causing pain. Osteophytes, or bone spurs, can form on any bone in the body. Most often bone spurs are found in joints or where the ligaments and tendons join to the bone. A bone heel spur, according to Sports Injury Clinic, is the growth of bone located at the attachment point of the plantar fascia or arch tendon in the foot and the heel bone or calcaneus.
Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, most bone spurs cause no problems and may even go unnoticed, but they can also cause pain and a decrease of motion in joints. The location of the bone spur will influence the type of symptoms a patient experiences. According to the Sports Injury Clinic, the pain associated with a heel bone spur is believed to stem from the breakdown of fibers in the connective tissue.
Cause
Most bone spurs are a result of another disease process known as osteoarthritis, according to the Mayo Clinic. When a joint loses cartilage, the body attempts to repair itself by rebuilding the surface. The new tissue buildup creates a bone spur. A heel bone spur is created due to long-term irritation to the tendon and surrounding connective tissue located at the base of the foot. Repetitive pulling of the plantar fascia can cause heel spurs.
Complications
A patient may have heel bone spurs associated with plantar fasciitis. According to the Mayo Clinic, untreated plantar fasciitis can lead to back, hip, knee, and foot problems, largely because the heel pain leads to an unhealthy walking motion. Other complications can result from the spur breaking off the bone. This loose piece of bone can lodge in joints or other areas, causing additional pain and loss of movement.
Treatments
According to Arthritis Treatment and Relief.com, a website maintained by board-certified rheumatologist Dr. Nathan Wei, the most common types of treatment for bone spurs include shoe modification to decrease motion in the foot, medications to decrease inflammation and surgery. A surgical procedure called a chilectomy involves removing the bone spur.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of bone spurs is confirmed by X-rays, CT scans and MRIs. A health care provider will also perform a complete physical exam assessing the exact area of discomfort.
