Have you been experiencing a sharp, stabbing pain in your heel? It may sometimes be more pronounced in the morning or when you move after being stationary for a while. If this sounds familiar, you may have heel spur pain.
Heel spur pain is a common foot condition affecting millions of Americans annually, caused by a bony growth called a heel spur, forming under your heel bone. If you have this condition, you likely experience significant pain when walking or standing.
Treating heel spur pain is a walk in the park for our experienced team of podiatric surgeons at
Los Angeles Institute of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Burbank, Santa Clarita, and Northridge, California.
Here we delve into what causes heel spur pain and five ways you can manage it.
Causes of heel spur pain
When a heel spur forms, it’s your body telling you that you’ve been putting undue stress on your foot. Excessive strain on the muscles and ligaments of your foot leads to a buildup of extra bone tissues on your heel bone.
Wearing ill-fitting shoes, being obese or overweight, and running all stress your foot and can cause a heel spur to develop. People with flat feet or unusually high arches are also more prone to developing heel spurs than others.
How to manage heel spur pain
Several ways to effectively manage symptoms of heel spur pain include the following:
1. Resting the foot
Not everyone with a heel spur experiences pain. However, if you develop even mild pain, the first thing to do is let your foot rest.
If you actively participate in sports activities like running, which puts pressure on your foot, suspend them until you adequately manage your condition.
2. Wearing custom foot orthotics
At LA Institute of Foot and Ankle, we create custom foot orthotics such as shoe inserts, heel cups, and arch supports, which help distribute pressure more evenly across your foot and provide extra cushioning for your heel. Our foot orthotics are custom fit to your unique needs.
3. Taking anti-inflammatory medications
After a consultation with one of our skilled podiatrists, we may prescribe some anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, to help reduce inflammation and temporarily alleviate your pain.
It’s crucial to take these medications exactly as we prescribe to prevent adverse effects.
4. Making lifestyle changes
If you have heel spur pain, wearing shoes that provide adequate cushioning and arch support can significantly ease your pain. It would be best to avoid high-heeled or ill-fitting shoes as those may exacerbate your pain.
If you are obese or overweight, shedding excess weight by exercising regularly and eating nutrient-filled foods will help take some pressure off your foot.
5. Signing up for physical therapy
Physical therapy can help you effectively manage heel spur pain, especially when combined with other treatments. During physical therapy, you are guided through targeted exercises to improve your foot’s flexibility and strength, reducing pain and inflammation.
In severe cases, we may recommend surgery to remove the spur as a last resort.
You don’t have to manage heel spur pain on your own. Consult our team of experienced podiatrists, and let us put you on a personalized treatment plan that eases your pain in no time.
Heel spur pain can limit mobility and significantly affect your quality of life. Get long-term and effective treatment by booking an appointment with us online today or calling 818-848-5588.