Heel spurs, also calledosteophytes, are bumps of extra bone that grow on yourcalcaneus(heel bone).
Heel spurs can be easily diagnosed with an X-ray.
Your heel might also be warm, red, and swollen.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
Exercises can increase flexibility in the bottom of your foot and help decrease pain brought on by bone spurs.
Stretches and strengthening exercises can help decrease symptoms of heel spurs.
Other treatments include physical therapy, medications, and in severe cases, surgery.
Addressing your symptoms quickly will improve your chances of a full recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bone spurs don’t “go away” unless you have surgery.
Heat and ice are both beneficial for symptoms of heel spurs.
Use heat to increase blood flow before you perform your stretches.
Apply ice after activity to decrease pain in your heel.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Plantar fasciitis and bone spurs.
2017;29(12):2068-2074. doi:10.1589%2Fjpts.29.2068
Sierra Pacific Orthopedics.Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs.
2021;48(1):43. doi:10.1186/s43166-021-00085-y
