Causes of Heel Pain not Plantar Fasciitis

CAUSES OF HEEL SPURS (HEEL PAIN): A heel spur is a protruding growth of calcite deposits that form as your body responds to abnormal rubbing and pressure. Heel spurs often occur in conjunction with the arch problems of plantar fasciitis. While heel spurs are not always painful, they can interfere with regular shoe wearing due to the heel bump.

Possible causes and contributing factors to developing heel spurs include the following:

  • Obesity—Being overweight significantly magnifies the pressure on the feet and ankles, making other risk factors even more problematic. Maintaining a healthy weight will help you take better care of your feet.

  • Tight fitting footwear—Constricting shoes such as high heels can cause extreme pressure and rubbing on your feet, with the heel area being a prime hot spot. Switching to more comfortable and supportive shoes will help avoid heel spurs and many other foot and ankle problems.

  • Participating in high-stress sports, work, and exercise activities—Vigorous sporting and exercise activities put extra pressure on the heel. Being on your feet all day for work is also a risk factor for developing heel pain and other foot problems.

Treatment for heel spurs

  • Heel spurs don’t always cause pain and may not require any significant treatment unless they become larger and more bothersome. Ultrasound treatment, electrical stimulation, and massage therapy are often very effective in treating heel spurs. If the heel spur interferes with comfortable wearing shoes, you can try backless shoes or sandals to relieve some pressure and discomfort. Surgery may be needed to shave down the bump as the spur increases in size and becomes more problematic.

If you are suffering from pain and discomfort from a bony protrusion on your heel, see our expert foot doctors for the proper diagnosis and treatment. Contact Valley Stream Podiatry, located 66 West Merrick Road, Valley Stream, NY 11580. With access to advanced technologies, Dr. Andrew Shapiro, Dr. Michael Barkin and Dr. Sajni Shah can help you manage all of your foot and ankle conditions, including heel pain, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, ankle sprains, toe deformities, fungal toenails, and plantar warts. Book an appointment online today or by calling our caring medical team at (516) 825-3860.

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