Foot & Heel Bone Spurs

Written By: Chloe Wilson BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed By: FPE Medical Review Board

What Causes Heel Bone Spurs?

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. 

Where Do Heel Spurs Develop?

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:

Heel Spur Symptoms

Common symptoms of heel bone spurs include:

• Sharp Pain: Sharp, stabbing pain, like standing on a pin. Heel bone spur pain tends to be worse  after periods of rest, particularly first things in the morning or after sitting for long periods.  The first few steps are often extremely painful, but the pain starts to subside after a while
  
  
• Dull Ache: Often with bone spurs, once you start walking around, the sharp pain settles, but then you are left with a dull, persistent ache
  
  
• Stiffness: The heel, ankle and calf region often feel stiff with bone spurs on initial movement, but this also settles as you get going
  
  
• Numbness: If the heel spur is irritating one of the nearby nerves then there may be areas of numbness in the foot
  
  
• Corns & Calluses: Another common symptom is the formation of corns and calluses over the affected area.  This is the bodies attempt to try and cushion the spur from above.

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. 

How Do You Treat A Heel Spur?

Heel spur treatment usually comprises of:

• Exercises: Stretches and strengthening exercises to reduce the tension on the tendon, and strengthen the supporting muscles
  
  
• Orthotics: There are a number of different shoe inserts that can really help such as heel cups, arch supports and cushioning to correct the foot position and reduce friction over the bone spurs
  
  
• Medication: NSAID's to reduce pain and inflammation
  
  
• Surgery: to remove the heel bone spur, sometimes combined with plantar fascia release

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.

Your Questions Answered

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.

What Else Can Help?

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

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