Bone spurs are formed in parts of the body where two bones meet each other or in joints where ligaments and tendons connect with the bone. Bone spur is the attempt of the body to enlarge the surface area of the joint to distribute the weight across a joint surface. Often this happens to those who suffer from arthritis or other conditions. But this attempt only brings in more pain and restriction to the patient.
Symptoms:
The extra bone on the normal bone usually takes place on the spine, feet, shoulders, hips and knees and hands and when it rubs against other bones around, it causes extreme pain and is largely due to degeneration of the spine. Heel bone spur is often associated with numbness, a tingling sensation in that area. Heel pain also known as plantar fasciitis and is a fibrous tissue that runs along the bottom surface of the foot from the heel to the toes.
The heel bone is the largest bone in the foot and absorbs the most amounts of shock and pressure. Bone spurs can also form on other parts of the foot like the toe nail, between the toes and other areas of the foot. Calcium deposits form, leading to boney protrusion or bone spur. The pain due to heel spurs spreads along the bottom of the foot towards the toes.
Causes of bone spur:
Heel spurs occur more generally to people who have flat feet when the band of ligament stretches beyond its limit leading to bone spur. People with osteoarthritis where the joint cartilage wears off are also more prone to heel spur. But aging is the most common cause. Other risk factors include accidents, genetics, poor posture, nutrition, sports injuries and congenital structural disorders.
Treatment
Treatment for heel spur depends on the severity of the problem. It may range anything from taking rest, placing ice on the affected part, stretching and intake of non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. Flat shoes must be avoided as they stretch the ligament on the bottom of the foot and also sandals, canvas tennis shoes and sling backs are also not recommended, as they do not provide any heel support or control. More severe cases that can be detected through x-rays, the treatment usually necessities corticosteroid injections to reduce the pain in that area.
However, in rare cases when the protrusion of the heel bone causes deformity in the part next to the location of heel, spur may be needed to be intervened surgically. But most of the pain conditions can be alleviated through proper positioning or gentle massage on the heels, changing the old foot wear, simple over the counter drugs, using well padded shoes, and physical therapy. But particularly, when overweight is the cause of heel spur, it can be easily alleviated through weight loss that would help to take pressure off the feet and thus provide relief.
