Heel Spurs are causes for great pain in the heels in all forms of physical activity involving feet and legs.
It may be possible to jump.
Even walking and standing will be difficult due to the extreme pain.
While resting, the pain almost subsides but the moment a person is on his feet the pain comes back in all its intensity.
This is especially so in the mornings, after a long period of resting the feet.
Heel spurs should not be left unattended.
Walking or even standing will result in the heel becoming very tender.
The usual tendency for any one is to ignore pain in any part of the body but pain in the foot is more troublesome than at any other place in the body.
Some action will have to be taken to correct the pain.
The best person to give proper advice in the matter is a doctor, preferably a specialist.
Heel spurs are unusual growths on the bone of the heel and occurs either at the back or the bottom of the heel.
This occurs at the place the tissues connecting the heel to the toes are joined.
If any of these tissues gets away from the heel, deposits of calcium are formed.
These deposits harden and grow into a solid form like a nail.
This growth is on the bone but can pierce into the fleshy part of the foot also.
The stretching of the tissues connecting the heel to the toes, causing heel spurs can also be due to an unnatural shape of the foot.
It may happen to flat footed or people with high arched feet.
Women are liable to develop this problem, because of the type of shoes they wear.
It has been found that every ailment of the foot can be the result of the type of shoes worn by the patient.
Treatment of heel spurs has a number of choices.
If it is due to flat feet or high arched feet, the pain can be controlled by having inserts inside the shoes.
They help in proper distribution of the body weight while walking.
Horse shoe pads are also worn in the heel part of the shoe which also gives relief.
Shoes with cushioned heels absorb the pressure and shock while walking and reduce the pain.
There are a number of ideas which give temporary relief from heel spurs.
While lying down the feet may be kept at a higher place.
Complete rest is a cure for all ailments and the feet are no exception.
If there is inflammation applying ice or cold compress will help in reducing the inflammation as well as the pain.
The podiatrist may suggest a series of exercises to strengthen the leg muscles and tissues connecting the heel to the toes.
Surgery is rarely recommended for treatment of heel spurs.
The problem to be addressed is improper foot alignment and this is usually done with inserts in the shoes.
Medication usually consists of only pain killers.