A heel spur is a bony growth that hangs from the heel bone like stalactite, as described in the book "Health Basics." According to Dr. Edward Laskowski at the Mayo Clinic, they are not always painful and, in fact, some may have heel spurs without realizing it, evidenced by the fact that they often appear in X-rays taken for other issues. Heel spurs are removable via surgery or physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Plantar Fasciitis
Dr. Laskowski, the American Podiatric Medical Association and the book "Health Basics" agree that heal spurs most often result from plantar fasciitis. The American Podiatric Association states that plantar fasciitis is a condition resulting from excess stress and pressure on the plantar fascia, which "Health Basics" defines as the "tough fibrous connective tissue that attaches to a bony prominence on the inside front portion of the heel and fans out to attach at the base of each toe." According to "Health Basics," predictors of plantar fasciitis include "age greater than 30, excessive physical activity, obesity, or recent change from high heels to flats." Pain associated with plantar fasciitis begins when the foot is at rest, exacerbates when standing on tip-toes or raising the toes upward, and reduces with activity.
Stress
Miscellaneous stress on the heel, foot muscles and plantar fascia can result in heel spur syndrome, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. This is a condition whereby a spur develops at the heal, which may or may not cause chronic pain. In the event that heel spur syndrome does cause chronic pain, the American Podiatric Medical Association indicates that doctors most often remove them manually via surgery.
Deformity
The American Podiatric Medical Association mentioned Haglund's Deformity as a congenital bony enlargement on the heel. It is not painful directly, but it can cause bursitis, or vesicle inflammation, near the Achilles tendon as a result of footwear irritation. Alternately, an insertional Achilles spur is a bony enlargement or calcification "at the insertion of the Achilles tendon," according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. The deformity can result in Achilles tendinitis, overuse syndrome and arthritis.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Heel Spurs: Do They Cause Pain?
- The American Podiatric Medical Association: Rearfoot Surgery
- "Health Basics: A Doctor's Plainspoken Advice About How Your Body Works and What to Do When it Doesn't"; Michael S. Richardson; 2003
