Heel Spurs
A heel spur is a bony growth on the underside of the heel bone, often found alongside and mistaken for plantar fasciitis. While the spur itself is rarely the true source of pain, the inflammation around it can be.
At Emerald Hill Podiatry, we look past the X-ray finding to identify what’s actually driving your heel pain, then treat the cause directly rather than the spur alone.
What Exactly Is a Heel Spur?
A heel spur (calcaneal spur) is a bony outgrowth that forms where the plantar fascia or Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone, from calcium building up in response to repeated pulling over months or years. Most are flat, shelf-like projections rather than sharp spikes, and many people have them without any pain at all.
When pain is present, it’s usually inflammation in the surrounding soft tissue, most often the plantar fascia, not the spur itself, which is why heel spurs are so often linked with plantar fasciitis.
Where Do They Form and Why Do They Hurt
Heel spurs most commonly form in two locations:
- Plantar heel spur — forms under the heel where the plantar fascia attaches, the more common site and the one linked to plantar fasciitis-type pain
- Posterior heel spur — forms at the back of the heel where the Achilles tendon attaches, often linked to Achilles tendonitis or Haglund's deformity, and can cause a visible bump that rubs against shoes
Pain typically comes from soft tissue inflammation around the spur, or from direct rubbing against footwear in more prominent cases.
Treating the spur alone rarely resolves the pain, since the inflamed tissue around it also needs addressing.
Who's Most Likely to Develop One
- A history of plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis
- Runners and athletes with repetitive high-impact loading
- Long hours standing or walking on hard surfaces
- Flat feet or high arches
- Excess body weight
- Older age
- Unsupportive or worn-out footwear
When Should You See a Podiatrist
Persistent heel pain, sharp or aching
Pain lasting more than two weeks despite rest and supportive footwear
A bony bump at the back of the heel rubbing against shoes
Heel pain limiting standing, walking, or exercise
Pain that keeps returning despite trying to manage it yourself
Because heel spurs often mimic or coexist with other causes of heel pain, self-diagnosis is unreliable.
Find Out What's Really Causing Your Heel Pain
How We Cure It at Emerald Hill
Surgical removal is uncommon and reserved for cases that haven’t responded to anything else. Instead, treatment focuses on calming the inflamed soft tissue and correcting the mechanical strain that caused the spur to form.
Options include:
- Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) — acoustic waves that stimulate blood flow and repair, effective for chronically inflamed plantar fascia or Achilles attachments
- EMTT — pulsed electromagnetic fields for deeper tissue regeneration, often paired with ESWT for longstanding cases
- Custom Orthotics — redistributes pressure off the heel and corrects the foot mechanics that caused the strain
- Biomechanical Gait Assessment — identifies the movement patterns contributing to your pain, informing footwear, orthotics, and activity adjustments
What to Expect at Your Assessment
Your podiatrist reviews your pain history, footwear, and activity levels, examines your foot structure and gait, and arranges an X-ray if needed to confirm the spur, though the clinical picture guides treatment more than imaging alone. From there, you’ll be walked through the right treatment mix for your case, with your plan adjusted as symptoms improve.
