Could That Foot Pain Be a Heel Spur?

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Everyone deals with foot pain from time to time but this is mostly a short-lived phenomenon. However, chronic foot pain, particularly in the heel, could be a sign of a more serious condition: a heel spur. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because it’s an ailment that will afflict about 80% of Australians at some point in their lives. Yet this pain doesn’t have to be imminent. Here are some ways to identify this condition, treat it, and possibly prevent it in the first place.

What Is it?

Heel spurs are growths that jut out of the heel due to inflammation. In X-rays, this condition looks sort of similar to a little claw coming out of the heel bone. Also called plantar fasciitis, this ailment occurs when the plantar fascia, a fibrous tissue that connects the heel to the ball of the foot, gets inflamed and extremely sensitive.

There are many reasons why this might happen to someone. After all, the plantar fascia helps to develop the arch of the foot, which is critical to walking, running, and exercising. Periods of inactivity (even a full night’s sleep) can cause this area to experience inflammation. On the other side of the spectrum, over-exercising or spending hours each day walking or standing can lead to an inflamed plantar fascia. Being overweight or wearing unsupportive shoes can also bring about a heel spur. It’s no wonder that this problem is one of the most common foot issues among the general population.

Doctors have identified the primary reason for this ailment: overpronation. This is when the foot rolls inward, resulting in lower arches and increased foot discomfort. Since the plantar fascia forms the arch of the foot, when that arch lowers, it places much more pressure on the plantar fascia. It overextends itself, leading to microtears in the ligaments of the foot. Then, that all-too-familiar heel pain arises. Some people also feel pain beneath the arch of the foot and in more advanced stages, a bony growth may develop beneath the heel, which is a heel spur.

Treating a Heel Spur

A doctor may recommend several different treatments and remedies to ease this pain. First of all, icing the area can reduce inflammation and rolling a tennis ball under the foot can help to release built-up pressure from overextension. In some cases, a GP may prescribe a cortisone shot. Surgery is rarely suggested since the heel spur itself isn’t the cause of the pain; it’s the inflamed area around it on the fibrous tissue.

How to Prevent This Issue

Before heel and arch pain gets out of hand, it’s a good idea to take some proactive steps. A good balance of staying active and giving the feet some rest is a great course of action. Studies show that regular movement can reduce the risks of developing this ailment. Moreover, wearing supportive shoes or orthotics will keep the feet stabilised so that they don’t roll inward. This maintains healthy, supportive arches and may prevent inflammation or ease any pain that’s already there.