Do your first steps in the morning feel like walking on nails? Do you walk around with a dull ache all day long? You might be dealing with a heel spur. These small, bony growths on the bottom of your heel can cause a lot of pain, especially first thing in the morning or after long periods of standing.
The good news? You don’t have to live with this sharp, nagging discomfort forever. From simple at-home fixes to more advanced medical treatments, there are effective ways to kick heel spur pain to the curb.
Our team of experienced foot and ankle surgeons at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center in Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Thornton, Evergreen, and Granby, Colorado, is here to walk you through the best options to get back on your feet comfortably.
A heel spur is a calcium deposit that causes a bony protrusion on the underside of your heel bone. It often develops as a response to stress on your foot, such as repeated strain from walking, running, or wearing poorly fitting footwear.
Many heel spurs form alongside a condition called plantar fasciitis, which causes inflammation in the tissue that connects your heel to your toes.
Other factors that contribute to heel spurs include:
Not all heel spurs cause pain, but when they do, it can feel sharp, stabbing, or like a dull ache that worsens throughout the day.
Heel spurs can significantly impact your quality of life, but fortunately, most of them resolve without surgery. Unless we discover that your heel spur is severe, we typically start with conservative treatments, such as:
If these treatments fail, we move on to more targeted options, like injections, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or minimally invasive procedures to remove scar tissue or release tight fascia. In some cases, we might need to remove your heel spur surgically.
Heel spurs may be small, but they can have a major impact on your comfort and quality of life. Fortunately, there are options. With a combination of rest, support, stretching, and medical care when necessary, most people find relief without the need for surgery.
Life’s too short to limp through it. If heel pain is slowing you down, don’t ignore it. One of our expert foot and ankle surgeons can help you figure out what’s really going on and get you back on your feet with confidence.
Call or click to schedule a consultation at the Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center most convenient to you today.
