Imagine you’re in the Old West. Cowboys gather in the saloon to relax, socialize, and play cards. Suddenly, the front doors bang open and the room goes silent as the town’s most wanted walks through—spurs jingling on the back of his boots all the way across the room. Well, that’s usually what people think of when they imagine spurs on their feet. These old-fashioned boot attachments are far from the only types of spurs, of course. You can actually develop bone spurs in your feet.
Bone Spur Information
Bone spurs are hard projections of extra bone tissue. They develop when some part of your bone is under excessive strain or stress. Usually this is caused by tension from an over-tight connector, or friction from arthritis. While these bony bumps could develop in several different places in your lower limbs, a few types of spurs are particularly common for the feet:
- Under the heel – This type of spur is usually caused by chronic plantar fasciitis. The strain from your plantar fascia ligament pulling on your heel bone triggers the body into building up extra tissue there. It can further inflame your plantar fascia in some cases.
- Back of the heel – Called a “pump bump,” this spur can be the result of too much pressure from stiff-backed shoes, or tension from an over-tight Achilles tendon. It can create a visible bump on the back of the foot and contribute to heel pain.
- In a joint – Usually this kind of spur is a complication of arthritis. The constant friction from the bones grinding together in your joint triggers your body to build up bone tissue. Unfortunately, this can decrease your range of motion and make foot movement more painful.
Get Help With Painful Foot Spurs
Not all bony spurs are painful. Most people who develop one don’t even realize it, unless it’s caught on an X-ray. For bumps that do cause uncomfortable symptoms, there are ways to take care of them. Let our team at Carolina Podiatry Group help you manage your lower limb issues. Just call to make an appointment at one of our South Carolina offices: (803) 548-FEET for our location in Indian Land, or (803) 285-1411 for our office in Lancaster.
