Heel spurs and the resulting foot pain can make even the simplest of activities difficult. Our highly qualified NYC podiatrists offer customized bone spur treatments to help you get back on your feet quickly.
A heel spur is a type of bone spur that results from overstraining foot muscles and ligaments, overstretching the plantar fascia, and repeatedly tearing the heel bone membrane. From these actions arises a calcium deposit on the underside of the heel bone.
Some factors for developing this type of bone spur include:
- Gait abnormalities
- Regular running or jogging on hard surfaces
- Wearing poorly-fitted shoes
- Wearing shoes that lack arch support
- Being overweight
Our Award-Winning NYC Podiatrists Offer State-of-the-Art Bone Spur Treatments
At To Healthy Feet, a leading foot clinic in downtown and midtown NYC, our team of highly specialized podiatrists use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat your bone spurs.
During an in-depth consultation, we can assess your specific case and recommend the appropriate bone spur treatment, which may include physical therapy, the use of NSAIDs, or even surgical removal to eliminate any pain or discomfort.
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Symptoms and Causes of Heel Spurs
You may have a heel spur and not experience any symptoms. However, for some people, heel spurs can cause pain in that part of the foot. You may feel:
- Intermittent pain
- Chronic pain
- Pain that becomes worse after exercise or long periods of rest
The causes and risk factors of heel spurs include activities that put extra stress on your feet, as well as certain conditions. Some of these are:
- Wearing shoes that lack arch support
- Gait difficulties that put excess pressure on your heel
- Flat feet or high arches
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Being overweight
- Participation in athletics, especially running or jogging, or having a job where you’re on your feet all day
If you are experiencing recurring inflammation or pain, it’s a good idea to visit your podiatrist and inquire about undergoing an x-ray or ultrasound examination of the foot.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Heel Spurs
If you suspect that you have a heel spur, or you’re suffering from any foot pain, it’s always best to visit your NYC podiatrist for an evaluation. To diagnose a heel spur, your foot doctor will likely:
- Ask about your medical history and symptoms
- Perform a foot exam, examining your heel and other parts of your foot for pain, growths, or swelling
- Use an X-ray, if necessary, to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any other conditions
If your podiatrist determines that you have a heel spur, then non-surgical treatment methods will likely be recommended first to relieve pain. These could include:
- Stretching exercises
- Using a custom orthotic device in your shoes
- Medications to reduce swelling, such as oral ibuprofen, or cortisone injections
- Physical therapy, where a specially trained physical therapist develops a customized plan of targeted exercises to help you strengthen your foot muscles.
If these methods work only temporarily, then heel spur surgery may be recommended. This could include:
- Releasing the plantar fascia: The plantar fascia is the tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes. If you have plantar fasciitis, part of the plantar fascia can be cut to release tension and relieve your heel pain. (Plantar Fasciitis Treatment at our NYC Foot Clinic >)
- Heel spur removal: Depending on the size and location of the bone spur, surgical removal of the bump may be necessary for permanent pain relief. If the bump needs to be shaved down surgically, recovery period is anywhere from 4-6 weeks and involves wearing a surgical shoe until the incision site heals.
Say Goodbye to Heel Pain
If you are dealing with symptoms of heel spurs or pain in your feet, don’t ignore it! visit our NYC podiatrists so we can get you back on your feet. Together, we’ll find the best heel spur treatment approach that fits your needs.
To learn more about the costs and benefits of our customized foot/ankle treatments, contact us at 917-398-3668 or fill in our online contact form.
