Skip to content 
What is Heel Spur?
Heel spurs are a painful condition that occurs as a result of calcium deposits in the connective tissue called plantar fascia, at the bottom of the heel bone. Calcium slag leaking from the foot bone gradually accumulates in the plantar fascia. These accumulations can harden and ossify over time and form sharp protrusions called heel spurs. These protrusions can cause pain, swelling and tenderness on the sole of your foot, especially when walking or running.
What Causes Heel Spurs?
Heel spurs, which directly affect foot health, usually occur due to external factors. Factors that may cause heel spurs can be listed as follows:
- Use of Non-Orthopaedic Shoes: Wearing narrow, hard or high-heeled shoes for a long time may disrupt the natural posture of the foot bones, causing excessive load on the plantar fascia and calcium accumulation.
- Excessive Strain: Activities such as long-term walking, running or jumping can tire the plantar fascia and lead to heel spur formation.
- Excess Weight: Excess weight puts extra load on the feet and plantar fascia, increasing the risk of heel spurs.
- Flat Feet or High Arch: Abnormalities in the foot structure can cause the plantar fascia to stretch and form heel spurs.
- Aging: As we get older, the plantar fascia weakens and the risk of heel spurs increases.
- Ankle Problems: Ankle problems such as ankle sprains or arthritis can cause the plantar fascia to stretch and cause heel spurs.
- Some Diseases: Some diseases such as diabetes, rheumatism and liver failure may also contribute to the formation of heel spurs.
- Genetic Predisposition: Some people have a genetically higher risk of developing heel spurs.
Other Possible Causes:
- Prolonged standing
- Walking on hard surfaces
- Insufficient stretching and exercise
- Sudden movements
- Shoe size or fit is not appropriate
What are the Symptoms of Heel Spurs?
Heel spur symptoms give some signals in the early stages. Therefore, it is a disease that can be treated very easily if it is recognized and treated early. The important thing is to notice some symptoms and start the necessary treatment early.
- Pain: Severe pain in the heel and sole of the foot, especially when walking, running or climbing stairs. Pain when taking your first steps when you wake up in the morning (may ease after a few minutes).
- Swelling and Tenderness: Swelling in the heel and sole of the foot. Sensitivity, where even a light touch can cause pain.
- Difficulty walking: Especially over long distances.
- Difficulty wearing shoes: Especially in narrow and high-heeled shoes.
- Difficulty standing for long periods of time.
- Tingling or numbness in the heel.
- Burning sensation on the sole of the foot.
- Redness and warmth in the heel.
How to Treat Heel Spurs?
Some methods can be applied at home to temporarily get rid of heel spur pain. First, you can lie down in a comfortable place and apply ice to your heels. After applying a cold compress or cheesecloth to your heel, you should apply the pain relieving ointment recommended by our doctor and massage gently. These procedures soften the stiffness in the heel, allowing you to walk more comfortably, and you can try walking with an insole suitable for your foot, as recommended by our orthopedic doctor. Insoles designed according to the shape of your foot and placed between the shoes minimize pain by creating soft tissue between the sole and the foot.
Temporary Relief Methods for Heel Spurs:
- Ice Application: Lie down in a comfortable place and apply ice compress to your heels for 15-20 minutes. This will help reduce pain and swelling.
- Pain Relief Ointment: Apply the pain relieving ointment recommended by our doctor to your heel and massage gently. This will help relieve pain.
- Massage: Massaging your heels by gently rubbing them can help relax muscles and increase blood flow.
- Stretching: Performing exercises to stretch the ankle and plantar fascia can help reduce muscle tension and increase mobility.
- Orthopedic Insoles: Orthopedic insoles recommended by our doctor can help reduce pain by providing support to the plantar fascia.
- Comfortable Shoes: Avoid narrow and high-heeled shoes. Wear comfortable and orthopedic shoes.
- Weight Control: If you are overweight, losing weight can help reduce the load on the plantar fascia.
- Rest: If the pain is severe, rest your feet and do not strain too much.
- Elevated Feet: Elevate your feet with a pillow or blanket when lying or sitting. This may help reduce swelling.
- Anti-inflammatory Medications: Anti-inflammatory medications recommended by our doctor can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Various injections: PRP, steroid, sanakin injection.
- Correction with radiofrequency method.
All these methods can be done after or just before seeing our doctor. But it should not be forgotten that early diagnosis and treatment is very important to catch the heel spur at its initial stage and find a permanent solution. As MSM Clinic, we provide service with our expert team in the treatment of heel spurs. As MSM Clinic, we are with you in all the necessary steps to protect your foot health.