Problems with Heel Spurs

I have a large heel spur growing out of my right heel and up into the Achilles. The pain is very severe and I am currently undergoing ultrasound and acupuncture treatment. Is there any treatment short of surgery (laser treatment, for example) that will alleviate the pain and diminish the heel spur?

Dr. Johnny L. Lin:

It sounds like what you have is plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is the band of tissue that supports your arch and is attached to your heel bone. The condition is the result of abnormal tissue that has formed from small micro-tears in the plantar fascia. Sometimes a bone spur also forms as a result of this process.

Treatment Options:

The most important step in treatment is Achilles/heel cord stretching. This should be done 3-5 times a day using a slow constant stretch for 1 minute each time. Stretching can also be done with the help of a Physical Therapist. Without increasing the flexibility in your ankle, this condition will not likely go away.

Further steps in treatment include relative rest, anti-inflammatory medication, wearing a splint at night, casting, and use of a shoe insert. Store bought shoe inserts do not provide much structural support and are not fitted exactly to your foot. They are good for cushioning, but many times this alone is inadequate for Plantar Fasciitis. In order to obtain the full benefit from inserts, they should be a medical grade insert that is prescribed by a Foot and Ankle specialist. These treatment modalities can be used in any combination. The very last option is surgery which removes the painful tissue that has failed to heal.

For more information about Dr. Lin and the Foot and Ankle physicians of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, call 877 MD BONES or contact us through this Web site.

This information is not intended as a substitute for the professional advice of your physician, nor to be a complete description of every aspect of a condition, nor a complete list of possible side effects of any medication. Decisions concerning your treatment should be based on your own health care provider's evaluation of your personal health history and current condition. Consult your physician before following any of the suggestions on this Web site. All articles on this Web site represent the personal opinions of the individual authors and should not be construed as official policy of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.