Do I Have Heel Spurs?

Do you experience an intermittent or chronic pain -- especially while walking, jogging, or running?

Does it feel as if a knife or pin sticks into the bottom of your feet when you first stand up in the morning, and does the pain later turn into a dull ache?

Does the sharp pain return after standing up after sitting for a prolonged period of time?

Based on your answers, it is unlikely that you have a heel spur. A heel spur is a calcium deposit that causes a bony protrusion on the under part of the heel bone. To prevent heel spurs, wear well-fitting shoes with shock-absorbent soles. Make sure to choose appropriate shoes for each activity. Also, warming up well and stretching before each activity are important. Avoid wearing shoes with excessive wear on the heels and soles. Remember that it’s also common that heel spurs cause no symptoms.

Based on your answers, you are displaying some signs of heel spurs. A heel spur is a calcium deposit that causes a bony protrusion on the under part of the heel bone. Treatment includes exercise, custom orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and cortisone injections. In severe cases, surgery may be needed. Heel spurs develop over a period of many months and are often caused by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, and repeated tearing of the membrane covering the heel bone. It’s an injury that is common among athletes who run and jump a lot.

Based on your answers, you are displaying the signs typically seen among individuals who have heel spurs. If the pain doesn’t go after a month, visit your doctor. Recommended treatment include stretching exercises, shoe recommendations, taping to rest muscles and tendons, shoe inserts, night splints, and physical therapy. Most people get better with this type of treatments. However, if conservative treatment does not help after a period of 9-12 months, surgery may be needed.