If you’re living an active lifestyle but find yourself struggling with heel pain, it’s possible you may have a heel spur.  Heel spurs typically develop along with plantar fasciitis and is most often seen in those who run on a regular basis.

When exposed to excessive wear and tear, the plantar fascia (tissues that connect your toes to your heel), will become inflamed and pull on the heel bone, resulting in pain. This is known as plantar fasciitis. When you rest, the band rests too.

But once you become active again, the band is forced to stretch, resulting in a pain that can be unbearable. The longer you wait for treatment, the worse it will become, and eventually, heel spurs will develop.

Heel spurs are calcium deposits that build up in response to stress or pressure. Each time the plantar fascia pulls on the heel bone, the bone tries to become stronger by growing larger in the irritated area.

This growth will then form a pointed, hook-like protrusion (heel spur). While heel spurs do not cause the pain, they certainly don’t help ease it.

Once you get rid of plantar fasciitis, the heel spurs will disappear. This can be as easy as resting, applying cold compress or ice, stretching, taking medication or injections, and wearing custom orthotics.

If the case is severe, you may have to schedule surgery that will release your plantar fascia and remove the heel spur. If you can’t seem to get rid of the pain on your own or if you have questions, feel free to call us today!