Explaining the major causes of heel spurs

Many people often confuse the condition of plantar fasciitis with heel spur. These are interlinked with each other but certainly not similar. Both are the main causes of heel pain and the inflammation of plantar fascia. To know the main causes of heel spurs, it is important to learn what actually a heel spur is. Heel spur is a bony hook that grows unusually under the foot sole or at the rear of the heel bone. Normally, heel spurs are formed right at the place where the ligament plantar fascia is attached to the base of the heel bone. The abnormal growth of the heel spurs is attributed to its calcium composition which starts forming with the pulling away of the plantar fascia from the heels.

People engaged in heavy and strenuous physical activities tend to develop heel spurs because they put maximum pressure on their plantar fascia. Those who have high foot arches also tend to develop heel spurs. Due to severe wear and tear of the plantar fascia caused by the heel spur, patients suffering from this condition experience a stabbing pain in their heel area which remains at its peak either in the first morning hours or after prolonged resting period

The growth of heel spurs does not create any painful feelings by its own. However, heel pain results when the spurs protrude into the soft tissues, flesh and ligaments spread across the heel bone. The area protruded by the spur may have inflammation causing intense pain and bruising because, on treading, the bony spur dugs into the sensitive tissues and nerves. Pain is experienced every time when you try to stand or walk applying your body weight over the heels. Following the prolonged resting periods, severe pain is felt in the heels as the spur digs into the tissues and ligaments.

Heel spurs mostly affect the sportsmen since they are always into rigorous physical activities like jogging, running, sprinting and jumping that extend and stretch the plantar fascia ligament letting the bony spur to develop. Weight lifters also get affected by this condition as they have to regularly lift heavy weight that puts tension on the fascia below the heel bone.

Sudden heel, foot or arch injury and even constant pounding of the foot can too result in the development of a heel spur.

Excess body weight is another cause that encourages the development of a heel spur. When heavy body weight is applied on the heels, it creates tension over the plantar fascia, thus pulling it away from the heel bone.

Additional stress on the foot tendons and muscles is put due to tight or stiffened muscle calf. This is a sign of calcium deficiency that should be addressed with proper treatment and medication. Although, there are many treatment options available these days for curing heel spurs, to completely reverse the cause of this condition is close to impossible.