Persistent heel pain can be a warning sign that you have heel spurs. At Los Angeles Institute of Foot and Ankle Surgery, the podiatric specialists offer comprehensive care for heel spurs that affect mobility. The providers create treatment plans using orthotics, cortisone injections, or other conservative therapies to relieve heel spur pain. They also provide minimally invasive surgery to remove spurs that aren’t treatable with other therapies. Call the office in Santa Clarita, Burbank, or Northridge, California, to book an appointment for heel spurs or schedule a consultation online today!
request an appointmentWhat are heel spurs?
Heel spurs are small outgrowths of bone that develop on the underside of the heel. They occur due to stress on the plantar fascia, the fibrous band of tissue that connects your heel bone to the base of your toes.
When the band of tissue pulls on the heel, your body responds to the stress by producing extra bone tissue. Over time, this tissue can calcify into a spur.
Stress on the ligaments in your foot can occur if you don’t warm up properly before sports or other physical activities. You might also be prone to developing heel spurs if you have a medical condition that affects your balance or gait.
When should I seek treatment for heel spurs?
Many people have heel spurs but aren’t aware of them until they become painful. You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Los Angeles Institute of Foot and Ankle Surgery if you have persistent heel pain that’s not treatable with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatories.
The providers perform a physical exam and may request X-rays or other imaging tests to locate a heel spur. Based on the results of your evaluation, they customize a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and prevent additional complications that can negatively affect your mobility.
How are heel spurs treated?
There are several treatment options available for heel spurs at Los Angeles Institute of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Depending on the severity of your pain, your provider may recommend:
- Prescription anti-inflammatories
- Cortisone injections
- Corrective shoes
- Shoe inserts or other orthotics
If you have a heel spur that’s severe or spurs that affect your foot joints, you may be a candidate for surgery. The foot and ankle surgeons use minimally invasive surgical techniques to remove the spur to provide long-lasting relief from your symptoms.
You may also need to make lifestyle changes to take unnecessary stress off your feet. Losing weight can help prevent spurs from forming, and you should always wear shoes that fit properly to protect your heel bone and surrounding tissues.
Call the Los Angeles Institute of Foot and Ankle Surgery office nearest you to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for painful heel spurs or book a consultation online today.