Common
Foot Conditions
Heel Spurs
The
heel bone is the largest bone in the foot and absorbs the
most amount of shock and pressure. A heel spur develops as
an abnormal growth of the heel bone. Calcium deposits form
when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel area, causing
a bony protrusion, or heel spur to develop. The plantar fascia
is a broad band of fibrous tissue located along the bottom
surface of the foot that runs from the heel to the forefoot.
Heel spurs can cause extreme pain in the rearfoot, especially
while standing or walking.
The
symptoms vary depending on the severity of the condition.
Individuals may experience corns and hard skin under the sole
of the foot. The arch area may be tender and shoes will tend
to wear out quickly. In severe cases the patient may experience
calf, knee, hip and back pain. Click here to view a graphical
representation of flat feet.
Cause
Heel
spurs develop as an abnormal growth in the heel bone due to
calcium deposits that form when the plantar fascia pulls away
from the heel. This stretching of the plantar fascia is usually
the result of over-pronation (flat feet), but people with
unusually high arches (pes cavus) can also develop heel spurs.
Women have a significantly higher incidence of heel spurs
due to the types of footwear often worn on a regular basis.