Heel spurs
Because we spend so much of our time standing or walking, painful feet are very distressing. Pain in the heel area is especially common and may be associated with a calcaneal spur, sometimes called a heel spur.
Our feet are made of a series of small bones, known as the tarsal bones. The calcaneus is one of the largest and makes up the rear, or heel, of the foot. A strong band of sinew (plantar fascia) stretches across the sole of the foot below the surface of the skin and is attached to a point in the middle of the under surface of the calcaneus.
With repeated activity on our feet, this fascia causes persistent traction (tugging) on the attachment point into the bone, and inflammation and pain may develop at this site. This painful condition is known as plantar fasciitis.
Sometimes a sharp ‘spur’ develops at the site of this traction on the bone and protrudes into the surrounding tissue. But the pain is usually due to the plantar fasciitis, rather than the heel spur itself.
Plantar fasciitis has also been known as ‘policeman's heel’, although this term is not often used now, perhaps because policeman do not ‘walk the beat’ as much as they used to.
Treatment usually involves padding or shoe inserts to take the pressure off the tender area. It may help to avoid the activities that aggravate pain, such as long walks and running. Paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines may also be used to relieve pain. Sometimes injections or, very rarely, surgery will help.
Last Reviewed: 30 May 2008
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