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It's no surprise that our feet often hurt considering that an average day of walking exerts a force on the feet that's equal to several hundred tons. All that rushing around makes our feet more prone to injury than any other part of the body. Your feet mirror your general health. Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, nerve and circulatory disorders can show their initial symptoms in the feet - so foot ailments can be your first sign of more serious medical problems.

Studies show that 3 out of 4 Americans experience serious foot problems in their lifetime. Despite the millions of aching feet out there, many of us don't seek the medical attention we need for relief. Foot pain is never normal, and you shouldn't be resigned to teetering around on sore feet.

The conditions listed below and to the left are some of the most common foot ailments. No matter what causes your feet to ache, we can help.

The "foot conditions" section of this Web site is maintained to provide general information about foot health. The materials, information, and answers provided by and through this Web site are not intended to replace or to be a substitute for medical advice provided by a qualified physician or other appropriate health care professional based on individual patient evaluation. You should consult with our practice or other appropriate health care professional on specific medical questions, including matters requiring diagnosis, treatment, therapy or medical attention. click here for New Patient Form





Heel Spurs

Heel Spurs

Definition

The heel bone is the largest bone in the foot and absorbs the most amount of shock and pressure.  A heel spur develops as an abnormal growth of the heel bone.  Calcium deposits form when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel area, causing a bony protrusion, or heel spur to develop.  The plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue located along the bottom surface of the foot that runs from the heel to the forefoot.  Heel spurs can cause extreme pain in the rearfoot, especially while standing or walking.

Cause

Heel spurs develop as an abnormal growth in the heel bone due to calcium deposits that form when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel.  This stretching of the plantar fascia is usually the result of over-pronation (flat feet), but people with unusually high arches (pes cavus) can also develop heel spurs. Women have a significantly higher incidence of heel spurs due to the types of footwear often worn on a regular basis.

Treatment & Prevention

The key for the proper treatment of heel spurs is determining what is causing the excessive stretching of the plantar fascia.  When the cause is over-pronation (flat feet), an orthotic with rearfoot posting and longitudinal arch support is an effective device to reduce the over-pronation, and allow the condition to heel.

Other common treatments include stretching exercises, losing weight, wearing shoes that have a cushioned heel that absorbs shock, and elevating the heel with the use of a heel cradle, heel cup, or orthotic.  Heel cradles and heel cups provide extra comfort and cushion to the heel, and reduce the amount of shock and shear forces experienced from everyday activities.

If the problem persists, please call us to schedule an appointment.



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