Heel spurs are small pieces of abnormal bone deposited on the calcaneus, a bone in the back of the foot. Most commonly associated with a condition known as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs can be quite painful, because they dig into the surrounding soft tissue, causing inflammation and tenderness. Heel spurs can result from systemic problems or from conditions that put extra strain on the connective tissue in the feet.
Overuse
Activities such as running and jumping can put significant stress on the feet and the surrounding connective tissue. The shock-absorbing part of the foot, known as the plantar fascia, may pull away from the heel, which results in the development of bone spurs. Other factors, such as lifting heavy weights on a regular basis, standing for long periods or being significantly overweight may also increase the risk of developing heel spurs.
Anatomical Abnormalities
Heel spurs can also be caused by anatomical abnormalities that cause chronic irritation and inflammation in the feet. Two common anatomical abnormalities are extremely high arches and flat feet, according to Foot.com. These problems cause the foot to turn and twist abnormally when supporting weight, resulting in the connective tissue around the heel becoming stretched and swollen. Over time, this added stress on the calcaneus causes new bone deposits to develop. Other anatomical problems may cause bone spurs, including rearfoot varus, forefoot varus and having unequal leg length, the American Academy of Family Physicians notes. Rearfoot and forefoot varus are two different problems in which the foot is tilted so that it does not naturally rest flat on the ground.
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is marked by the formation of bone spurs in many different parts of the body; while the heels may be involved, the ligaments in the spine, hips, wrist and other joints may also be affected, according to MayoClinic.com. This condition may not cause any pain, although patients may need to undergo physical therapy to maintain their flexibility and range of motion in the affected joints. The cause of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is unknown.
