• A bony growth that occurs where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel

• More frequent in women, attributed to wearing high-heeled shoes

What causes it?

• Heel spurs are a secondary symptom of plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the plantar fascia which is the fibrous band that runs along the bottom of the foot and maintains the arch.
• As the plantar fascia is stressed and starts to pull away from the heel, the body tries to repair the injury by filling in the gap with bone. 

Signs and Symptoms

• May begin as a dull pain in the heel and sometimes in the mid or fore-foot
• Pain may get sharper, more intense, and more persistent over time
• Pain is usually worst after getting out of bed in the morning or following a prolonged period of rest
• Visible swelling may be present in severe cases

Prevention and Treatments

• Icing for ten minutes three times per day and/or anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation
• Low dye strapping (taping) to help relieve stress on the plantar fascia
• Off-the-shelf arch supports for simple, non-severe problems
• Prescription custom orthotics to help correct structural foot problems causing the pain, with additional cushioning to accommodate for the heel spur
• Footwear that is properly suited to your foot type. For an illustration of what to look for in footwear at your local shoe store for your type foot, click here. Your Chiropodist can provide further footwear advice
• Stretching exercises for your plantar fascia. For examples of the kinds of exercises your Chiropodist may recommend, click here
• Persistent problems may benefit from a cortisone injection
• As a last resort for rare, extreme cases, bone surgery may be performed by an orthopaedic surgeon; Chiropodists do not perform bone surgery and a person would be referred to a surgeon if all conservative measures for treating the heel spur prove ineffective

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