Written By: Chloe Wilson BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed By: FPE Medical Review Board
Heel bone spurs are areas where excess bone has grown on the heel bone, forming a lump.
Heel spurs are also referred to as osteophytes or calcaneal spurs.
Heel spurs usually form on the back of the heel or underneath the heel. They develop in response to irritation of the bone either from inflammation, repetitive friction, or following an injury.
Women have a much higher incidence of this foot bone spurs due to frequent wear of tight-fitting shoes with high heels or pointed toes.
Here, we will look at the common causes, locations and symptoms of foot and heel bone spurs. We will then go on to look at the different treatment options.
Bone spurs are caused by abnormal bone growth. When there is constant irritation or stress on a bone, the cells responsible for bone growth are stimulated to produce excess calcium deposits to try and protect the bone from injury. As the calcium deposit layers build up, a spur-shaped deformity forms.
The most common reasons heel bone spurs develop are:
Bone spurs can develop on any of the foot bones, but the most common place to get them is on the heel bone, the calcaneus. These are known as calcaneal spurs. Heel bone spurs usually occur in one of two places:
Inferior Calcaneal Spurs are located underneath the heel bone. They usually develop in response to Plantar Fasciitis but can also be linked with ankylosing spondylitis or altered foot biomechanics.
You usually can’t see or feel inferior heel bone spurs as they are surrounded by soft tissue until they are quite large.
Posterior calcaneal spurs develop on the back of the heel, usually due to Achilles Tendonitis, calf muscle tightness or ill-fitting shoes. You can usually see and feel a lump on the back of your heel.
A posterior heel spur may also end up irritating the local bursa (fluid filled sac), a condition known as "Pump Bump" or Haglunds Deformity.
Common symptoms of heel bone spurs include:
Often, there are no obvious symptoms from heel bone spurs unless they start rubbing on the surrounding tissues, such as muscles, nerves or other bones.
Heel spur treatment usually comprises of:
Ninety percent of people with heel bone spurs will recover within six to nine months with home treatment. The remaining 10% may require surgical intervention.
You can find out loads more about the different treatment options in the Heel Spur Treatment section.
Heel bone spurs are only treated if they are causing problems. If there is noticeable lump, but no pain or other symptoms, they will usually be left alone. If however they start to cause symptoms such as pain or numbness, or they are causing damage to surrounding structures, heel spur treatment is required.
Are Bone Spurs Serious? Bone spurs themselves are not painful or dangerous but if they start encroaching on neighbouring structures like muscles, tendons, nerves or other bones, they can cause pain, stiffness and numbness.
Are Heel Spurs Permanent? Fortunately, the answer here is no. Most heel spurs will settle down with appropriate treatment such as physical therapy, exercises and orthotics. Only about 10% of cases of heel spurs require surgery.
Can Heel Spurs Go Away On Their Own? Unfortunately not. Without proper treatment, heel bone spurs are unlikely to settle, and if anything they will get worse. But with a course of physical therapy and simple exercises, most cases of heel spurs will resolve.
Is Walking Good For Heel Spurs? It is often very painful when you start walking with heel spurs, particularly first thing in the morning or after sitting for a while. But the good news is as you walk more, the pain does reduce as the tissues stretch out.
Do Heel Spurs Cause Other Problems? Heel bone spurs are often linked with other foot problems. Inferior heel spurs often go hand in hand with plantar fasciitis, and posterior heel spurs are often linked with achilles tendonitis and heel bursitis.
Heel bone spurs are only one possible cause of heel pain. Other possibilities include heel bursitis, calcaneal fractures, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and problems with the ankle bones. Visit the heel pain diagnosis section to find out more.
If you have a hard lump under your foot, it may actually be caused by something else e.g. plantar fibroma - check out the bump on bottom of foot article if you suspect it may be something other than heel bone spurs.
Page Last Updated: 09/22/22
Next Review Due: 09/22/24