Heel Spurs Are Common
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Nowadays, most Georgia foot and ankle doctors would agree that heel pain is a very common malady. However, there are many causes of this pain. One of the most prevalent is the heel spur. A heel spur results from an anatomical change of the heel bone.
What are Heel Spurs?
The heel bone forms one end of the two longitudinal arches of the foot held in place by ligaments and are activated by the muscles of the foot. These muscles and ligaments, like the other supporting tissues of the body, are attached in two places. Where there is undue stress to the heel bone, one’s body automatically calcifies the tissue attachments thus creating a spur.
The pain from heel spurs is a result of inflammation around the tendons where they attach to the heel bone. Most would assume that the pain would dramatically increase as you walk but it is not usually the case. In all actuality, the pain is the most intense when you begin to walk after not being on your feet for a while. After a short period of time, the pain usually dissipates and you adjust.
If excessive strain has been placed on the foot the day before, the pain may also be greater. A sudden strain, as might be produced by leaping or jumping, can also increase the pain. The pain might be localized at first, but continued walking and standing after being stressed will soon cause the entire heel to become tender and painful.
It has been reported that anywhere between 11 and 27% of the population have radiographic evidence of a spur. Furthermore, heel spurs do appear to be associated with obesity, osteoarthritis, and a major component of the aging process.
Treatment
There are many medical services we can perform, but you can try some steps on your own. To help alleviate the pain, good shoes for heel spurs and other orthopedic shoes hold onto the foot, not the other way around. Adjustable support shoes, like shoes for heel spurs, can be a great way to fit problem feet. Additionally, using a heel pad or insoles helps as well.
Have you experienced heel spurs before? What do you do to alleviate the pain from heel spurs?
Call Our Marietta, Georgia Office Today at 404-806-3731, or Book your appointment online now!