CALCANIAL SPUR: How to relieve the pain

If you’re here, you’ll know how annoying a heel spur is, so let’s see how you can relieve the pain caused by a heel spur.

What is a heel spur?

A heel spur is a calcification that forms on the heel bone, usually in the shape of a hook.
In other words, it is an irregular growth of the heel bone.
On an X-ray it is easily identified by its claw-like shape.

This calcification is uncomfortable when walking, when resting the heel area on a surface, and causes pain because the surrounding area becomes inflamed.
The pain usually appears in the form of prickling, and also in the inner part of the heel.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms are pain in the inner part of the heel, and in the most acute cases, pain is also felt in the area when getting up in the morning, after a prolonged period of time without physical activity.

In any case and before any indication or suspicion, you should go to a medical center to have your case specifically evaluated, since a heel spur does not only cause pain in the heel area.
There are other foot pathologies that can cause pain in the same area; it is best to have your case evaluated by a specialist.  

Causes of occurrence

Previous pathologies. As for example the plantar fasciitis.
Suffering from plantar fasciitis will modify our stride and it is possible that the inflammation of the fascia may also lead to the formation of a heel spur, since we are not distributing correctly all the weight of our body when walking.

Overweight. Being overweight or obese is not conducive to good general health.
And they will also affect the development of foot pathologies.
One of the pathologies that is most increased by overweight or obesity is the calcaneal spur, and especially its pain.
The more weight, the more support on the area and therefore more inflammation, thus increasing the pain caused by a spur.

The shape of our feet. Having cavus or valgus feet will condition our footprint and it is easier for pathologies such as plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia or heel spurs to appear.
We cannot change the shape of our feet, but we can adapt our footwear or our insoles so that they adequately support all our walking according to the shape of our feet, and avoid to a great extent both the pathologies and the pain and discomfort they produce.

Impact sports. Impact sports such as soccer or running on hard surfaces are not recommended for some people.
Due to the consequences that in the medium and long term can suffer different parts of our body, such as knees or feet.
In the case of the spur, the probability of its appearance increases with the practice of these impact sports on a prolonged or regular basis, since impacts in the heel area are common in these sports.
If you suffer from heel spurs, perhaps it would be advisable to practice another type of sport in which the heel area does not suffer so many impacts.
The surface where you practice also has an influence, since hard surfaces and footwear leave less space for cushioning and directly influence the force that the heel area absorbs.

How to relieve calcaneal spur pain

If your pain is acute, a prescription anti-inflammatory medication will help.
So will rest.
Both of these things will reduce the inflammation in the area and with it the pain.
But this will only provide occasional relief and is not something you can do on a regular basis, so you will have to take other measures to reduce or eliminate heel spur foot pain.
For example:

• Physiotherapy, exercises and stretching will not only relieve the tension in the area, but will also help to prevent the discomfort from recurring.
• Use adequate heel cushions or insoles, and footwear that provides support and grip.
  Footwear is essential for good plantar health, and is the cause of many pathologies due to the incorrect distribution of weight when walking.
  It is essential that you wear rigid but flexible footwear that is comfortable but in which the foot is well supported.
  In many cases, good footwear can and/or must be complemented with specific insoles for heel spurs.
  And we will talk about this in the next point.

Insole for heel spurs

We would like to tell you about Smou, an especially effective insole for all those who have a heel spur.
Why?
Because Smou insoles have an interchangeable heel piece.
We include two removable pieces for the heel area, made of different materials to adapt to each personal situation.

One of the pieces is made with the same materials, rigidity and comfort as the rest of the insole.
It would be suitable if you do not have a spur or it does not bother you.
The second removable piece is made of a much softer material, suitable for those who do have a spur, of moderate size.

And for those who really spur is a cause of constant pain in every step, we recommend removing this piece of removable, so you get the spur area is completely free of friction.
A real marvel that will allow you to walk properly without contact with the surface in the area of the foot that causes the most pain when walking.

Here is a video in which Clara, the founder of Smou Insole, tells you why they are effective in relieving pain caused by heel spurs: