A Heel Spur Specialist Houston describes a heel spur as a sharp pain in the heel, especially in the morning when standing. The pain then reduces to a dull ache throughout the day and one may experience swelling and inflammation at the front of the heel. The point of tenderness is the bottom of the heel making it hard to walk. When you experience the above symptoms contact your Houston podiatrist immediately for an X-ray that may be able to reveal the protrusion in the heel.
A heel spur occurs when calcium deposits between the arch and the heel. The heel spurs can happen independently or can be due to an underlying health condition because other conditions can cause Heel Pain Houston. The bony growth occurs at the underside of the foot causing pain but the Heel Pain Treatment Houston can improve the condition. The growth extends from the underneath of the heel towards the arch.
Causes
The spur happens due to ligament and muscle strain wears out the soft tissues. The growth tears the membrane and covers the heel bone causing pain.
As we age the heel becomes vulnerable and the pads in the heel wear down and fail to provide shock absorption.
Risk factors
- Jumping and running in athletic activities wear down the heel and arch of the foot.
- Frequently walking, jumping, and running on hard surfaces.
- Trauma or bruising to the heel and tearing the protective membrane over it.
- Heel spurs are common among older people.
- They are common in older women and men.
- Women are more susceptible to spurs than men.
- Obesity has been related to heel spurs.
- Improper, non-supportive fitting shoes can cause heel spurs.
- Underlying medical conditions such as arthritis, skeletal hyperostosis, plantar fasciitis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Heel spur treatment
- Get plenty of rest to take the pressure off the feet to reduce swelling and pain.
- Apply ice to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Use shoe inserts inside the shoe to reduce the pressure on the heel.
- Wear well-cushioned sports shoes.
- Use anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling.
- Have cortisone injections in the affected area if over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications are not effective. Should be done under the guidance of a podiatrist.
- If the heel spur continues to be problematic even after the above interventions, your podiatrist might suggest a surgical procedure.
For heel spurs that from due to underlying conditions improve when the conditions improve.
Once the heel spurs are formed they are permanent and surgery is the only way to remove them. however, if they are not painful and do not cause discomfort you need to ease the heel pain. In the meantime, you need to walk and perform activities on soft surfaces such as grass or tracks, wear proper fitting shoes, wear slippers on tile floors, and adjust your walking style where you put less pressure on your heels. Lose weight and change your routine such that you are not on your feet most of the time.