How to Identify Symptoms of a Heel Spur

Anyone who has experienced a heel spur, or what is also commonly known as a heel contusion or heel bursitis, knows how difficult it can be to engage in daily chores and activities. A heel spur produces pain or discomfort when walking. Caused by placing too much stress on the heel bone and the soft, connecting tissues that attach to it, risks of developing heel pain or a heel spur increase with high impact activities like running, fast walking, other foot injuries or shoes that lack adequate cushioning or that don't fit well. Prolonged episodes of standing, especially if an individual is overweight, may also cause pain.Individuals of all ages may experience a heel spur, but it is most commonly found in runners or other athletes. Learning how to recognize or identify signs or symptoms of a heel spur may help to speed treatment and prevent complications that may lead to the spread of pain to the ankles, knees and even hip joints.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Well-fitted and cushioned shoes
• Hot packs
• Ice packs

1. Pay attention to initial signs of fatigue or aching in the feet that center or radiates from the heels. This aching sensation may be dull or throbbing. While many people experience such aching after a long day at work, the ache associated with this symptom is not immediately relieved by sitting or reclining.

2. Watch for signs of difficulty walking, or shooting pains that spread from the heel area to other parts of the foot or lower extremities while walking, running or engaging in other high-impact sports and activities. This difficulty may be accompanied by a dull throb that seems to burn.

3. Look at your feet for any signs of swelling. Often pain or tenderness can be felt in the area around the heel and upper ankle joint. This pain may also occur after an individual has gotten off his or her feet or even before rising in the morning.

4. Touch your heel and ankle. Sometimes, skin that is warm to the touch may indicate inflammation or injury to muscles, tendons, ligaments and even bones found beneath the site.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase inserts for shoes and always purchase properly fitted shoes with adequate arch support. Women should wear heels no higher than 1.5 inches during their work day. For relief, take over the counter pain relievers and massage heel and calf every morning before rising. Hot packs or ice massage may also help provide relief.
• Don't ignore foot pain. Aching or painful heels may lead to pressure and stress placed on additional joints and may affect the lower back and spine.

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