“Is the pain in my heel a heel spur?”
I have this pain in my left heel when I walk. Could this be a heel spur? How do I make it go away?
17 Answers
There are many different things that result in heel pain heel spurs which is an x-ray finding that is present in some but not all instances of heel pain. In order to recommended a treatment one must make an accurate diagnosis, that can only be achieved following a detailed history of the present illness that includes a medical history physical examination and diagnostic tests. Even after all this is done there still may be more than one possibility that needs to be ruled out. If wearing good supportive and proper fitting footwear indoors and outdoors, stretching exercises for the calf muscle with ice massage and over the counter anti inflammatory medications, arch supports are unsuccessful than you should see a Podiatrist as they see more people with this condition and have in most cases success with conservative treatments, especially when diagnosis is made early.
Hello, 90% of my patients who complain of heel pain have a condition called plantar fasciitis which is treated conservatively with RICE, stretching, anti inflammatories and orthotics. A small subset of patients have what is called a retrocalcaneal exostosis or spur along the insertion of the achilles tendon which can be more challenging to treat conservatively. I suggest you try to treat your heel pain conservatively and if it continues to impede your normal daily activities then contact a professional. God bless and thank you for your query.
It is more likely plantar fasciitis. Use a good pair of arch supports such as Super feet orthoses and perform TID calf stretches.
The most common reason for heel pain is repetitive overloading and strain of the fascia on the bottom of the foot. It is believed this is the pain generator and not the presence of a bone spur that may be identified radiographically. The plantar fascia represents thick bands of connective tissue that support the instep. There are many factors that may contribute to injury of this tissue including acute and chronic. Acute tears and strains can occur due to sudden overloading. Most commonly this occurs over time and is influenced by environmental factors such as prolonged standing and walking on hard surfaces, poorly supportive footwear and intrinsic factors such as elevated body mass index, poor foot mechanics particularly over-pronated or flat feet, and tight Achilles tendon. The mainstay of therapy is to negate those factors. Reduce activity that aggravates the condition, support the instep vault, and performance of stretch exercises for the tight calf and Achilles tendon. Medical support can include the use of anti-inflammatory medication if needed and formal physical therapy. This
is commonly a self-limiting condition that may take several weeks to months to recover. If pain does not improve, seek a medical opinion.
is commonly a self-limiting condition that may take several weeks to months to recover. If pain does not improve, seek a medical opinion.
No. Heel spurs don’t hurt (unless it’s at the Achilles in the back of your heel). What you have is probably plantar fasciitis. Is the pain first thing in the am and again after sitting for a period of time? Then it is fasciitis. Go to a podiatrist for proper care.
The pain may be related to a heel spur, however you can have the same pain with or without a spur. Treatment varies depending upon wether the pain is on the bottom of the heel or behind the heel. Try applying ice to the area several times a day for about ten minutes at a time. Don’t go barefoot and see how you do over a few days. If you are still in pain see your podiatrist.
The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis (PF), not heel spurs. The primary cause of PF is a tight calf muscle, so you must stretch your Achilles tendon 10x three times/day. Next, some type of shoe inserts, superfeet or powerstep are excellent OTC inserts. Next, get new sneakers. Next, Aleve OTC, 2 tabs with breakfast and dinner. Of course, if you are allergic or have stomach, kidney or liver issues, check with your doc first. Next, roll your foot on a frozen water bottle. Next, DO NOT WALK BAREFOOT, even in the shower or at 2am when you wake up to go to the bathroom. After 6 weeks, if you are still in pain, go see a foot doc. You may need a cortisone injection, physical therapy, night splints, etc.
Good luck.
Dr. JEFF
Good luck.
Dr. JEFF
Likely plantar fasciitis, which is below the spur. Commonly thought of as heel spur syndrome. But you don’t have to have a spur to have pain.
Ahmad Farah, DPM
Ahmad Farah, DPM
See your Podiatrist for orthotics or try power steps and stop pain roll on
It might be. To be sure visit your Podiatrist. In the mean time, youmight want to stretch your arch. Pull your toes toward your nose and hold for forty seconds. If you have plantar fasciitis (heel spur) should aford some relief. Secondly wear shoes with at least half inch heel.
Heel pain is most commonly referred to as plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome, but it is not definitive. Sometimes people develop heel pain secondary to heel fractures, bone bruises, ligament tears/strains, etc. There is no proper way of diagnosing the pain without a specialist evaluation.
Probably is. If it hurts a lot after standing up from periods of rest, it is most definitely a heel spur syndrome or plantar fasciitis.
A heel spur can form from the ligament on the bottom of the foot overstretching. A heel spur is not the cause (usually) of the pain in the heel but the ligament irritating the bone. I recommend you make an appointment with a foot and ankle surgeon (podiatrist) to discuss cause and treatment options
It could be a heel spur, but in actuality, a "heel spur" is actually a problem called Plantar Fasciitis. It could be a stress fracture of your calcaneus. It could be tendonitis. It's best if you see a specialist for the problem.
It is more likely than not a condition called plantar fasciitis which is inflammation and irritation of the band on the bottom of the foot which attaches from the heel to the front of the foot. The heel spur is a reaction rather than the main problem or source of pain. The key is to decrease the irritation and inflammation. The 3 main things is 1. stretching (search for stretching for plantar fasciitis) 2. Icing (put an water bottle in the freezer and roll under the affected foot, this will ice and stretch) 3. Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen. All these things combined should help to decrease the pain and over time should resolve it.
Could be a spur or could be plantar fasciitis. There are some stretching and icing. Possible injections or other modalities.
It is possible, see your doctor to get an x-ray and get treated
