A calcaneal spur (or heel spur) is a small osteophyte (bone spur) located on the calcaneus (heel bone). Calcaneal spurs are typically detected by a radiological examination (x-ray). When a foot bone is exposed to constant stress, calcium deposits build up on the bottom of the heel bone. Causes of heel spurs Heel spurs occur when calcium deposits build up on the underside of the heel bone, a process that usually occurs over a period of many months. Heel spurs are often caused by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, and repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone. Heel spurs are especially common among athletes whose activities include large amounts of running and jumping. Risk factors for heel spurs include: Walking gait abnormalities, which place excessive stress on the heel bone, ligaments, and nerves near the heel Running or jogging, especially on hard surfaces Poorly fitted or badly worn shoes, especially those lacking appropriate arch support Excess weight and obesity Other risk factors associated with plantar fasciitis include: 1. Webmded - A heel spur is a calcium deposit causing a bony protrusion on the underside of the heel bone. On an x-ray, a heel spur can extend forward by as much as a half-inch. Without visible x-ray evidence, the condition is sometimes known as 'heel spur syndrome' 2. Heel spur - Although heel spurs are often painless, they can cause heel pain. They are frequently associated with plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the fibrous band of connective tissue (plantar fascia) that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot. Common - Treatments for heel spurs and associated conditions include exercise, custom-made orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and cortisone injections. If conservative treatments fail, surgery may be necessary. Causes of heel spurs - Heel spurs occur when calcium deposits build up on the underside of the heel bone, a process that usually occurs over a period of many months. Heel spurs are often caused by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, and repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone. Heel spurs are especially common among athletes whose activities include large amounts of running and jumping. Risk factors for heel spurs include: Walking gait abnormalities, which place excessive stress on the heel bone, ligaments, and nerves near the heel Running or jogging, especially on hard surfaces Poorly fitted or badly worn shoes, especially those lacking appropriate arch support Excess weight and obesity Other risk factors associated with plantar fasciitis include: Pictures of common foot problems Increasing age, which decreases plantar fascia flexibility and thins the heel's protective fat pad Diabetes Spending most of the day on one's feet Frequent short bursts of physical activity Having either flat feet or high arches Symptoms of heel spurs Heel spurs often cause no symptoms. But heel spurs can be associated with intermittent or chronic pain -- especially while walking, jogging, or running -- if inflammation develops at the point of the spur formation. In general, the cause of the pain is not the heel spur itself but the soft-tissue injury associated with it. Many people describe the pain of heel spurs and plantar fasciitis as a knife or pin sticking into the bottom of their feet when they first stand up in the morning -- a pain that later turns into a dull ache. They often complain that the sharp pain returns after they stand up after sitting for a prolonged period of time. Non-surgical treatments for heel spurs The heel pain associated with heel spurs and plantar fasciitis may not respond well to rest. If you walk after a night's sleep, the pain may feel worse as the plantar fascia suddenly elongates, which stretches and pulls on the heel. The pain often decreases the more you walk. But you may feel a recurrence of pain after either prolonged rest or extensive walking. You have heel pain that persists for more than one month, consult a health care provider. He or she may recommend conservative treatments such as: Stretching exercises Shoe recommendations Taping or strapping to rest stressed muscles and tendons Shoe inserts or orthotic devices Physical therapy Prevention of heel spurs You can prevent heel spurs by wearing well-fitting shoes with shock-absorbent soles, rigid shanks, and supportive heel counters; choosing appropriate shoes for each physical activity; warming up and doing stretching exercises before each activity; and pacing yourself during the activities. Avoid wearing shoes with excessive wear on the heels and soles. If you are overweight, losing weight may also help prevent heel spurs. Top homeopathic medicnes for calcaneal spur Calcarea fluor: one of the best homeopathic medicines for dissolving calcaneal spur One of the best homeopathic remedies for calcaneal spur treatment is Calcarea flour. It is the most effective natural homeopathic medicine with the best healing power to dissolve the calcaneal spur. This homeopathic remedy is of great help in all cases of calcaneal spur whether painful or not. Calcarea fluor acts as the best resolving agent for calcaneal spur and is considered the first choice of homeopathic remedy in every case of calcaneal spur. Ammonium mur: one of the top most homeopathic medicine for calcaneal spur when there is pain in heel on walking Ammonium mur is a very beneficial natural homeopathic medicine for calcaneal spur. This homeopathic remedy is of great help in decreasing the pain in heel on walking due to calcaneal spur. Ammonium mur helps in decreasing the pain as well as dissolving the spur. Apart from specific worsening of pain on walking, the person also complains of pain in morning. A few people needing ammonium mur may get relief by slight rubbing of the heel. The pain can be stitching or tearing in nature for using ammonium mur. Rhus tox: homeopathic medicine for calcaneal spur with pain on standing Homeopathic medicine rhus tox is the top natural remedy for pain in heel on standing due to calcaneal spur. Homeopathic medicine rhus tox also helps in repairing the muscles and ligaments covering the heel bone, thus preventing further heel damage. Its next action is to dissolve the spur. Rhus tox thus acts in three spheres for calcaneal spur patients - pain relief, strengthening the muscles or ligaments, and dissolving the spur. The pain narrated by the person on standing is most of the times stitching in character. The person may feel the pain as being similar to that caused by a splint. Another expression used may be the pain as from a nail under the skin. Aranea Diadema: homeopathic medicine for calcaneal spur for boring pain in heel Aranea Diadema is considered among the top natural homeopathic medicines for calcaneal spur treatment. This homeopathic remedy is best for getting rid of digging and boring type of pains in the heel. The pain may alternate with a numb feeling in the heel. An extreme sensitivity to cold air can also be predominantly present. Aurum met: one of the top homeopathic medicines calcaneal spurs which cause pain at night The pain in the heel at night due to calcaneal spur is best relieved by natural homeopathic remedy aurum met. It is a very appropriate and efficient homeopathic medicine to get rid of night pain in heel arising because of the spur. Mezereum: homeopathic treatment for calcaneal spur that hurts by touching For patients complaining of pain in heel spur when touched, natural homeopathic medicine mezereum is the best remedy. Mezereum is of great help in treating the heel spur pain that worsens by touching. The patient may show an increased sensitivity to cold air. Ruta: homeopathic treatment for calcaneal spur with pain in heel extending to Achilles' tendon The tendon that connects the calf muscle present in the back of the leg to heels is known as tendon Achilles. For patients who have pain in heel due to calcaneal spur with the extension of pain in tendon Achilles, the best homeopathic remedy for relief is ruta. Ruta is of great help in bony and tendon complaints.

Get the App

For Doctors

Book Appointment

Treatment

Ask a Question

Plan my Surgery

Health Feed

About

Health Feed

Find Doctors

Health Packages

AllQ&AsTipsQuizzes

Home > Chronic Pain > Health Feed > Tips

Chronic Pain Tips

Last Updated: 8 years ago• Featured Tip

Frequent Urination - Can it be a Sign of Kidney Disease?

Dr. Sanjiv Saxena90%(47 ratings)

DNB (Nephrology), MD, MBBS

Nephrologist•Delhi

Polycystic kidney disease is a disorder that is inherited; it is characterized by development of cysts in the kidneys. These cysts are round sacs that contain a water like fluid. Initially, the size of the cysts are small, they tend to increase in size after the fluid accumulation. This disorder can also cause cysts to develop in the liver and other parts of the body.

Symptoms and Complications
The most common symptoms of this disorder are back pain, headache, high blood pressure an...more

Last Updated: 8 years ago• Featured Tip

Back Pain - Top 5 Homeopathic Medicines to Cure it!

Dr. Vandana Mittal92%(93 ratings)

BHMS

Homeopathy Doctor•Delhi

Homeopathy world has currently brought unique solutions for reducing unbearable back pain. You can get speedy recovery and on the other hand, your back muscles will also become much more flexible than ever.

Top 5 homeopathic medicines for curing back pain:

Arnica: Injured back often leads to severe back pain and it can be well treated by this homeopathic medicine. Both recent and past back-injuries can be treated using this medicine. This medicine is absolutely safe and thus y...more

Last Updated: 8 years ago• Featured Tip

Onions - 9 Reasons You Must Consume Them!

Dr. Dnyaneshwar Mitke88%(1074 ratings)

MD, Panchakrma, BAMS, Ayurvedacharya

Ayurvedic Doctor•Nashik

Onions are a part of the Allium group of vegetables and herbs, which additionally include chives, garlic, scallions and leeks. Allium vegetables have been known for a long time for their specialty of sharp flavours as well as for their curing and healing properties. Onions are a thick and layered vegetable and while they are low in calories, they are highly advantageous when it comes to a steady supply of vitamins, nutrients, minerals and cancer prevention agents. Here is how consuming onions ca...more

Last Updated: 8 years ago• Featured Tip

Chronic Hives - How Ayurveda Remedies Helpful in Treating it?

Dr. Rajeshkumar Radadiya90%(413 ratings)

Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surge...read more

Ayurvedic Doctor•Ahmedabad

Hives, also known as urticaria, is characterized by an outbreak of swollen red bumps on the skin. It may cause symptoms of itching, burning or stinging. The disorder can affect any part of the body including the tongue, throat and face. The size of the bumps can vary, they may join together to form plaques. The bumps or plaques appear and disappear until the disorder runs its course. In case of chronic hives, the bumps can last up to six weeks.

Symptoms
The symptoms of this disorder...more

Last Updated: 8 years ago• Featured Tip

Chronic Gastritis - How to Cope with it?

Dr. Bharat Kumar Nara90%(111 ratings)

MBBS, M.S (Gen Surg), M.Ch ( Surgical Ga...read more

Gastroenterologist•Hyderabad

When you have pain in the stomach that is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, chances of you having chronic gastritis are high. This is an issue that specifically affects the stomach and is caused because the lining of the stomach gets inflamed and swollen and in some cases it may get damaged. The deterioration of the lining may be caused because of a bacterial infection and that would have to be treated with specialised medicines and treatment methods.During that time you may feel like there is...more

Last Updated: 8 years ago• Featured Tip

Overview on Ingrown Hair

Dr. Anand Bhatia92%(109 ratings)

Fellowship In Aesthetic Medicine |, MBBS...read more

Dermatologist•Mumbai

Ingrown hair refers to a situation in which a part of the body hair which has been trimmed, shaved or tweezed grows back into the skin in a curled form. This sometimes causes painful and discomforting skin conditions such as swelling, bump formation and chronic pain in the area from where the hair was removed.

This condition is mostly common among people who have very tightly curled hair on their entire bodies. Among men the most affected areas are cheeks, chin and neck. Additionally, t...more

Last Updated: 8 years ago• Featured Tip

Fibromyalgia - 6 Main Symptoms!

Dr. Meha Sharma

MD - General Medicine, DM - Rheumatology...read more

Rheumatologist•Delhi

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterised by chronic widespread body pains and increased responsiveness to pressure. Women are at a higher risk of suffering from this disorder than men. Fibromyalgia can be treated with physiotherapy, pharmacotherapy and combined efforts of physician and the patient.

Some of the symptoms that characterize this disorder are:

Pain: Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain that has no apparent reason. It can affect different parts of the body and pres...more

Last Updated: 8 years ago• Featured Tip

Rotator Cuff Tears: What Are My Options?

Dr. Kamal Bachani90%(280 ratings)

International Arthroscopy , Shoulder Sur...read more

Orthopedic Doctor•Delhi

Rotator cuff is the name given to four muscles and their tendons, which keep your arms in your shoulder sockets, allowing you to lift your arms and do day-to-day stuff like combing your hair, cutting vegetables etc.

The shoulder joint is a very important joint of the body and this is why any tear that happens in the rotator cuff can be devastating.

Causes

Tears can happen in rotator cuff due to a number of factors like injury and degeneration due to age. Tears that hap...more

Last Updated: 8 years ago• Featured Tip

Chronic Pain - Can Underlying Disorders be the Reason Behind it?

Dr. Dipak Jhaveri88%(294 ratings)

MD, MBBS

Pain Management Specialist•Vadodara

Persistence of pain even after full healing of an affected area after injury or ailment is known as chronic pain. Chronic pain can also occur due to an undiagnosed underlying condition within the body. Any form of pain which lasts for more than 6 months can be categorized as chronic pain. Chronic pain might be continuous or episodic, excruciating or mild, totally incapacitating or merely inconvenient.

Symptoms of Chronic Pain include:
1. Light to severe pain that keeps occurring fro...more

Last Updated: 9 years ago• Featured Tip

Calcaneal Spur

Dr. Qaisar Raza87%(55 ratings)

BHMS

Homeopathy Doctor•Kolkata

A calcaneal spur (or heel spur) is a small osteophyte (bone spur) located on the calcaneus (heel bone). Calcaneal spurs are typically detected by a radiological examination (x-ray). When a foot bone is exposed to constant stress, calcium deposits build up on the bottom of the heel bone.

Causes of heel spurs
Heel spurs occur when calcium deposits build up on the underside of the heel bone, a process that usually occurs over a period of many months. Heel spurs are often caused by stra...more

Book appointment with top doctors for Chronic Pain treatment

View fees, clinic timings and reviews

Ask a free question

Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors

posted anonymously