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Refers to a bony outgrowth from the calcaneal tuberosity or heel bone.
It is an exostosis.
A small bony protrusion may be visible.
Detected by x-ray examination of the calcaneus.
Constant foot stress causes calcium deposits to build up on the bottom of the heel bone.
Repeated damage can cause these deposits to pile up causing a spur-shapdeformity, called a calcaneal spur.
They are directly caused by long-term muscle and ligament strain.
Excessive strain stretches soft tissues in the heel and wears them out.
Repetitive stress over time from walking, running, or jumping on hard surfaces is a common cause of heel spurs.
Heel spurs may also be caused by:
arthritis
bruising of the heel
excess body weight
poorly fitted shoes
walking gait issues
wearing flip-flops too often
wearing worn out shoes
They often start in the front of the heel and eventually affect other parts of the foot.
Heel spurs are normally about a quarter of an inch in length.
Symptoms may include pain, inflammation, and swelling at the front of the heel.
The affected heel spur area may also feel warm to the touch.
Symptoms may spread to the arch of your foot.
About 50 percent of people with heel spurs experience pain.
They do not always cause pain, and not all heel pain is related to spurs.
An inferior calcaneal spur is seen with plantar fasciitis.
An inferior calcaneal spur may also be associated with ankylosing spondylitis, typically in children, and consists of a calcification of the calcaneus superior to the plantar fascia at the insertion of the plantar fascia.
With an inferior calcaneal spur symptoms consist of pain surrounding the spur that increases in intensity after prolonged periods of rest, heel pain may be more severe when waking up in the morning.
Patients may not be able to bear weight and running, walking, or lifting heavy weight may exacerbate the issue.
A posterior calcaneal spur develops on the back of the heel at the insertion of the Achilles’ tendon, and is often large and palpable through the skin and may need to be removed as part of the treatment of insertional Achilles tendonitis.