What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Benign Bone Spur of Heel
• Calcaneal Spur
• Osteophytes of Heel

What is Bone Spur of Heel? (Definition/Background Information)

• Bone spur is an abnormal bone growth that can develop on the surface of bones. Usually, bone spurs are not painful by themselves, but may cause pain when they rub against the nerves and press surrounding tissue
• Bone spurs may develop on the surface of any bone. It most commonly involves the bones of the feet, elbow, and spine. Joint damage caused by degenerative joint disease, such as osteoarthritis, is the primary cause of bone spur in the joints
• Individuals with Bone Spurs of Heel rarely experience any significant symptoms. However, in some cases, individuals may experience pain
• A majority of Bone Spurs of the Heel grow very slowly and are stable. However, in some cases, the growth is more rapid and unpredictable. In these cases, the healthcare provider may recommend surgery to remove the bone spurs
• Over-the-counter oral medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are recommended if the condition is painful. Surgery may be required, if Bone Spurs of Heel reduce the range of motion in the affected heel joint, press on the nerves, or if the pain is not controlled by medication
• The prognosis of Bone Spurs of Heel is usually good and conservative methods are usually effective in treating many individuals. However, occasionally, a recurrence of the condition is noted

Who gets Bone Spur of Heel? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Bone Spurs of Heel may occur in individuals of all ages, races, ethnic groups, and both genders
• No geographical localization has been noted

What are the Risk Factors for Bone Spur of Heel? (Predisposing Factors)

The common risk factors for Bone Spurs of Heel include:

• Advanced age
• Repetitive stress on the heel, such as due to an occupation or participation in high-impact sports
• Excessive body weight associated with obesity
• Pregnancy, due to weight gain and swelling, which may cause the ligaments to become more relaxed
• Flat feet: A painful condition that results in the progressive flattening of the arch of the foot
• Wearing shoes with poor arch support
• Muscle fatigue due to overstressed plantar fascia
• Unhealthy diet
• Degenerative joint disease such as osteoarthritis
• Heredity predisposition; a family history of bone spurs

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Bone Spur of Heel? (Etiology)

• Bone Spurs of Heel are usually caused by a disease or condition resulting in a degeneration of the cartilage
• Excess bone formation occurs as a result of the body’s response to abnormal pressure on the affected area of the bone

In other words, bone spurs are caused as part of a reactive process to a bone injury.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Bone Spur of Heel?

In many individuals, bones spurs are not painful by themselves and cause no significant signs or symptoms. However, in some, certain symptoms may develop depending on the severity of the condition.

The signs and symptoms of Bone Spurs of Heel may include:

• The appearance of a bony mass under the skin of the affected foot
• Sharp and uncontrollable pain in the heel while standing
• Numbness, feeling of weakness, tingling sensation in the heel may be observed, if the surrounding nerves are pinched
• Inflammation and swelling in the heel
• Decrease range of motion in the affected foot

How is Bone Spur of Heel Diagnosed?

Bone Spurs of the Heel may be diagnosed by the following observations and tests:

• A complete physical examination with thorough evaluation of medical history
• X-ray of the foot: X-rays are noninvasive medical tests that use radiation to produce images of the bone
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the foot: A CT scan takes a series of X-ray images from several different angles. These images are then merged to create cross-sectional images of bones and soft tissues of the body 
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the foot: An MRI is a more detailed scan that uses radio waves and a magnetic field that generates thorough images of interior bones and soft tissues
• Electromyography (EMG): An EMG shows the electrical activity of the muscle during rest and muscle contraction. This test may be performed if the signs and symptoms indicate that there is muscle or nerve damage
• Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) studies: Nerve conduction velocity shows the speed at which electrical signals move through the affected nerve. Slow nerve signal speed may indicate nerve damage

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Bone Spur of Heel?

The possible complications of Bone Spurs of Heel include:

• Without treatment, in some individuals, bone spurs can cause severe uncontrollable pain, by impinging on surrounding structures such as the tendons and nerves
• Individuals, who develop Bone Spurs in the Heel, may experience pain and difficulty performing simple/routine tasks
• Surgery to remove bone spurs may lead to the following complications:
  • Infection at the site of surgery
  • Poor wound closure
  • Anesthetic complications
• Permanent damage to the nerves in the heel
• Occasionally, relief from surgery may only be temporary, since bone spurs may grow back (recurrent bone spurs)

How is Bone Spur of Heel Treated?

The methods for treating Bone Spurs of Heel depend on the severity of the signs and symptoms. Conservative methods for individuals with mild to moderate pain may include:

• Rest: Any activity that aggravates the condition further should be avoided. The healthcare provider may advise individuals to refrain from participating in certain activities, until the symptoms get better
• Applying ice to the heel, can help reduce pain and swelling
• A well-padded custom-made shoe insert may be used to relieve pain
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory oral medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen may be used to treat bone spurs. These medications can help decrease pain and swelling
• Corticosteroid injections help provide temporary relief of symptoms, and in improving the range of motion. It is important to note that corticosteroid injections only give temporary relief. Prolonged episodes of such injections may injure the joints in the long-run
• Physical therapy exercises that include strengthening and improving flexibility in the heel can help reduce discomfort. It can also help decrease pressure on the nerves

Surgical treatment for Bone Spurs of the Heel: If conservative treatments are unsuccessful, surgery may be recommended. A common surgical procedure is:

• Heel spur removal: This procedure involves the surgical removal of any abnormal bony growth in the heel

How can Bone Spur of Heel be Prevented?

Bone Spurs of Heel is a condition that cannot be prevented in most individuals. However, in some cases, following certain guidelines may help reduce the risk for developing these bone spurs. These include:

• Maintaining a healthy body weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise
• Limiting activities that may involve repetitive stress on the heel; wearing appropriate safety equipment when participating in any (high-impact) sports. Significant long-term stress on the heel joints may lead to the formation of bone spurs
• Taking frequent breaks, such as while working on the computer, to limit repetitive heel actions

What is the Prognosis of Bone Spur of Heel? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• In a majority of cases, the prognosis of Bone Spurs of Heel is usually good and symptoms are resolved with suitable conservative treatment
• However, there is still a risk that the bone spur will continue to grow. In such cases, a healthcare provider will recommend surgery to treat the condition
• Occasionally, recurrent bone spurs may be observed and the relief obtained from surgery may only be temporary

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Bone Spur of Heel:

Please visit the following link for more information on heel spur removal surgical procedure that may be performed if bone spurs develop on the heel:

https://www.dovemed.com/common-procedures/procedures-surgical/heel-spur-removal/