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Heel Spurs: A Look At Your Treatment Options

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Do you suffer from pain in your heel that becomes worse when you walk or jog? Does it feel like a pin or knife is being stuck into the bottom of your heel or like you're always stepping on something? These are symptoms of heel spurs, a condition in which calcium deposits form on the bone that forms your heel. In order to get better, your first step should be to see a podiatrist, who can take x-rays and confirm your diagnosis. If diagnosed, your treatment is likely to include one or more of the following:

Stretching Exercises

Much of the pain of heel spurs is actually caused by the pressure the calcium deposits place on the surrounding soft tissues. Stretching out these tissues can help alleviate this pain. Your podiatrist may show you some simple stretches to perform each day, or you may be referred to a physical therapist for more extensive guidance in this area.

Orthotics

Shoes that put a lot of pressure on the heel or that lack arch support can make heel spur pain worse. Your podiatrist may recommend orthotic inserts that you can place in your shoes to make them more comfortable. You may also just be told to buy shoes with more arch support and more padding in the heel.

NSAIDs

NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, will help alleviate the swelling in the soft tissues of your ankle, reducing your pain. Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are both available over the counter, and your podiatrist will likely recommend one or the other. Naproxen lasts longer (about 8 hours), but it does tend to cause bloating in some patients. Ibuprofen is only effective for 4 – 6 hours, but doesn't have this side effect. Regardless of which medication your doctor recommends, make sure you only take as much as is recommended on the label.

Corticosteroid Injections

If your heel pain does not dissipate with the treatments above, your podiatrist may recommend corticosteroid injections. The steroids will be injected directly into your heel, where they will help alleviate inflammation for a period of several months.

Surgery

Surgery for heel spurs is only used as a last resort, and most patients don't need it because they respond well to the other more conservative treatments described above. If you are still in pain after several months of trying other treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery.  During this procedure, the calcium deposits are removed from the heel bone. You will have to stay off your foot for several weeks while you heal, and typically physical therapy will be required in order to make a full recovery.

If you're suffering from pain that you suspect is due to heel spurs, do not delay seeking treatment. In most cases, you'll feel much better after a few weeks of conservative treatment.

For a podiatrist, contact a doctor such as Klein Stanley Jay DPM.


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