I have been told I have a heel spur and it really hurts’

Heel pain is one of the most common issues that we here at Footlab Plus see, and sometimes an x-ray and the diagnosis of the pain is a ‘heel spur’.

There are, however, some common misconceptions surrounding heel pain and heel spurs.

Heel spurs are quite common in people with heel pain;  around 45% of people with heel pain show radiographic evidence of a spur underneath the heel. Even though the heel spur is very common it is very rare that it is the cause of your heel pain. It usually presents secondary to the heel pain, as the plantar fascia which attaches onto the bottom of the heel becomes tight and pulls on the bone causing the spur to form.

Due to the secondary nature of the heel spur it is very unlikely that it would be the cause of the pain.  This is why it is so important to get a through assessment by an experienced podiatrist to determine the exact cause of your heel pain.  We can then tailor a treatment plan specific to you and your lifestyle.

If you are experiencing heel pain and have had the diagnosis of heel spur, come in and see one of our friendly podiatrists.

Irving, D., Cook, J., & Menz, H. (2006). Factors associated with chronic plantar heel pain: A systematic review. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 9(1-2), 11-22.