Heel spurs are bony over-growths that are more common in people who are overweight, or who have flat feet or an abnormal gait. People who have a sudden increase in physical activity are also prone to heel spurs. Heel spurs are formed when the plantar fascia, a fibrous band found on the bottom of the foot, becomes swollen and pulls on the heel bone, which results in new bone growth. Heel spurs are painless; it's the inflammation of the plantar fascia that causes pain and needs to be treated.
Orthotics
Orthotics are inserts that fit into your shoes to decrease over-pronation, a condition often caused by flat feet and overweight. Over-pronation causes your feet to sag inward and your arch to collapse. This stretches the plantar fascia and causes inflammation and swelling that pulls on the heel to form the spur. Orthotics have a built up arch custom made for your foot to compensate for over-pronation. Custom orthotics cure the pain 98 percent of the time, according to Dr. Stephen Pribut, a podiatric specialist and clinical assistant professor of surgery at George Washington University Medical School.
Supportive Shoes
Shoes that have a built up arch and a rigid shank, a piece of material that runs from the heel under the arch of the shoe, help prevent plantar fasciitis. Pribut states that shoes should bend only at the ball of the foot, because shoes that bend at the arch don't offer adequate support. Flip flops and other footwear with no support should not be worn, and going barefoot may also aggravate the pain.
Heel Cups
Heel cups cushion the heel so it hits the ground with less force. This decreases pain by absorbing shock impact and elevating the heel, which supports the arch and keeps the plantar fascia from being further stretched.
Night Splints
Much of the heel pain from spurs and plantar fasciitis is felt with the first steps in the morning. Special splints designed to hold the foot in position to keep the plantar fascia from tightening up overnight can help decrease pain if they are worn for several weeks, according to the website, Dr. Foot.
