When your foot is injured, the rest of your body suffers. Not only do the feet provide balance and mobility, they also serve as shock absorbers for the rest of your body. So if you are diagnosed with a bone spur in the feet, expect your feet to be anything but happy.
Pressure on the Foot
Bone spurs in the feet can form as a result of constant friction — the type that puts pressure and stress on the bones in the foot, eventually causing damage. The body responds to the damage by growing calcium on the affected bone. Bone spurs that develop on the toes are called toe spurs; those that develop of the heel are called heel spurs. A bone spur that develops midfoot is a tarsal boss. Prominent bone spur may form in response to arthritis, while some develop bone spurs in their feet due to poorly fitted footwear. Some bone spurs are accompanied by pain, while others are asymptomatic. The most common symptoms that accompany bone spurs in the foot are pain and loss of motion.
Risk Factors
Development of bone spurs may be the result of illness, overuse, bad shoes, or body conditions. For example, those with high or low arches, osteoarthritis, tendinitis, and chronic inflammation are more prone to developing bone spurs than those who do not have these conditions. Bone spurs are more common in those who overweight, and the elderly are more likely to develop bone spurs than youth. Shoes are another contributing factor – those who wear shoes that constrict or rub are at a greater risk of developing bone spurs; the same is true of athletes and workman – like runners, ballet dancers and construction workers – who put enormous strain and stress on their feet.
Characteristics of Bone Spurs in the Feet
As mentioned, some people experience painful bone spurs that sideline them from the activities they love, while others go for years not even knowing they have developed bone spurs. As a rule, when bone spurs present, one can expect redness and swelling. Calluses may start to form and pain or achiness may ensue at the spur or any other part of the foot. Stiffness may substitute for mobility, which may become more painful and limited as the spur expands or exacerbates with time.
Diagnosing and Treating Bone Spurs in the Feet
An accurate diagnosis of bone spurs in the feet requires an X-ray. The results of the X-ray can reveal the presence of bone spurs, and from there, your doctor can recommend treatment. To start, your doctor most likely will recommend conservative care, such as anti-inflammatory medications, rest, over-the-counter pain medication, ice, cortisone injections, and rehabilitation to restore strength and flexibility. Your doctor might also recommend assistive devices such as orthopaedic padding and a walking boot. In severe cases where the bone spur is causing nerve compression on the spine, a laminectomy is recommended.
South Texas Orthopaedic Experts
The doctors at the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine offer high-quality orthopedic care to their patients in South Texas. By employing the latest orthopaedic techniques to manage the symptoms of bone spurs and any other orthopaedic condition, our goal is to return you to your pain-free, active lifestyle. If you have specific questions or concerns about our treatment, surgical or rehabilitation programs, call us at (210) 692-7400 or request an appointment online now.
