Heel Spurs are a painful condition of the feet that affects people of all ages but mostly females over 40 years of age. The spurs are pointy bony outgrowths on the heels which point to areas of inflammation. The spurs are an indication that the fascia overlying the muscle is causing inflammation at the site of attachment due to traction.

How do heel spurs relate to plantar fasciitis?

Heel spurs under the sole of the foot (plantar area) are associated with inflammation of the plantar fascia (fasciitis), the "bowstring- like" tissue stretching underneath the sole which attaches at the heel. Plantar heel spurs cause localised tenderness and pain made worse when stepping down on the heel.

Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis can occur alone or be related to underlying diseases that cause arthritis (inflammation of the joints), such as reactive arthritis (formerly called Reiter's disease), ankylosing spondylitis, and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. It is important to note that heel spurs may cause no symptoms at all and be incidentally discovered during x-ray exams taken for other purposes.

Symptoms

• Early morning pain
• Pain that eases with warming up
• Pain at the end of the day
• Sharp pain at rest
• Stiffness in ankle or big toe
• Achilles tendonitis

Treatment

Your Sports Physician and Physiotherapist/ Podiatrist will asses you and implement treatment to alleviate pain and stop this condition from occurring. The best treatment usually involves a whollistic approach to treatment from all practitioners.

Rest Ice Anti- inflammatories Orthotics/taping and heel pads Massage with golf ball or bottle Plantar fasciitis bracing (new) Cortisone injection Night splints Correcting biomechanics Gait analysis with treadmill Prescribing appropriate footwear MRI/ X-rays and blood tests for chronic cases