Treating Heel Spurs with Custom Orthotics

Custom orthotics can help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with heel spurs by providing proper support and cushioning to the affected area. Orthotics can also help to redistribute pressure and reduce strain on the heel, which can help to prevent further irritation and inflammation of the heel spur.

Although orthotics can treat heel spurs in the sense that they will decrease pain and swelling, they may not necessarily correct the condition. It is recommended to consult a doctor or podiatrist for a proper diagnosis of the underlying problem causing heel spurs to form and to create a personalized treatment plan. Treating heel spurs can be tricky as they are not solely a condition affecting the foot, so seeing a healthcare professional on top of treatment that is easily accessible, is the best choice.

What is a Heel Spur?

Heel spurs are bony growths that develop on the heel bone. They are usually caused by excessive stress on the foot, which can lead to inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. This inflammation can cause the bone to grow in an attempt to repair the damage, leading to the formation of a heel spur. Heel spurs can cause pain, especially when standing or walking, and can also contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis.

What Causes Heel Spurs?

Heel spurs are caused by excessive stress on the foot, which can lead to inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. This inflammation can cause the bone to grow in an attempt to repair the damage, leading to the formation of a heel spur. Common causes of heel spurs include

• Overuse: Repetitive foot stress from activities such as running, jumping, or standing for long periods can cause heel spurs.
• Obesity: Excessive weight places additional stress on the feet, leading to an increased risk of heel spurs.
• Flat feet or high arches: Foot conditions that alter how weight is distributed across the foot can increase the risk of heel spurs.
• Poor Footwear: Wearing shoes that do not provide adequate support or cushioning can place excessive stress on the feet and increase the risk of heel spurs.
• Age: As the body ages, the risk of heel spurs increases due to changes in the bones and tissues.

It’s important to consult with a doctor to determine the specific cause of your heel spurs and to determine the best course of treatment for your specific condition. Sometimes foot conditions, especially those involving the skeletal system, can be developed due to an underlying medical condition, such as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, or even ankylosing spondylitis.

How Do Custom Orthotics Work to Treat Heel Spurs?

Custom orthotics can help to treat the symptoms of heel spurs by reducing the pressure on the affected area and redistributing weight more evenly across the foot. By doing so, they can help to alleviate pain and reduce the inflammation that is associated with heel spurs.

It’s important to note that custom orthotics do not directly treat the heel spur itself, but rather the pain and discomfort caused by the condition. They can be an effective way to manage symptoms and allow the individual to continue with their daily activities without being held back by pain.

It’s always recommended to consult with a doctor to determine the best course of treatment for your specific condition. Sometimes, a combination of custom orthotics and other treatments such as physical therapy or medications may be recommended.

Alternate Options for Treating Heel Spurs

Many excellent treatment options can help reduce the pain you feel from your heel spurs. Some of the best options include

Rest

Resting your feet can help to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with heel spurs by reducing the stress and pressure on the affected area. When you are on your feet, the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, is subjected to tension and compression. This can cause pain and inflammation, especially in the case of heel spurs, which are bony growths that develop as a result of excessive stress on the foot.

Taking a break from activities that put pressure on the feet gives the affected area time to heal and reduce inflammation. Resting the foot can also help to reduce swelling and improve blood flow to the affected area, promoting faster healing.

Ice

Applying ice to the affected area can help to alleviate pain and reduce swelling associated with heel spurs. When ice is applied to the skin, it causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow to the area. This, in turn, helps to reduce inflammation and numb the pain.

Ice therapy can be an effective way to manage the symptoms of heel spurs, especially when used in conjunction with other treatments such as rest, physical therapy, and custom orthotics. By reducing pain and swelling, ice therapy can help to improve mobility and allow individuals to participate in daily activities with less discomfort.

It’s important to follow proper ice therapy techniques, such as wrapping the ice in a towel to avoid direct skin contact, prevent injury, and ensure maximum benefit. It’s also recommended to consult with a doctor to determine the best course of treatment for your specific condition.

Physical Therapy

A physical therapist can help with heel spurs by providing personalized treatment and heel spur exercises that are designed to alleviate pain and improve flexibility. Physical therapy can be especially beneficial for those who have tried self-care measures at home without success or for those who have a more severe case of heel spurs.

Some ways a physical therapist can help with heel spurs that cannot be done at home include:

• Customized Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: A physical therapist can create a personalized exercise plan to help stretch and strengthen the affected area and improve flexibility.
• Manual Therapy: A physical therapist can use manual techniques such as massage, stretching, and joint mobilization to alleviate pain and improve mobility.
• Ultrasound Therapy: A physical therapist can use ultrasound therapy to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
• Electrical Stimulation: A physical therapist can use electrical stimulation to reduce pain and improve blood flow to the affected area.
• Gait Analysis: A physical therapist can analyze an individual’s walking pattern and make recommendations for modifying their gait to reduce stress on the affected area.

Physical therapy can be an effective way to manage the symptoms of heel spurs and can also help to prevent the condition from becoming chronic. It’s recommended to consult with a doctor to determine if physical therapy is the best course of treatment for your specific condition.

Medications

Of course, most treatment options, along with your daily life, will be easier with the implementation of medication to reduce your pain. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, will usually be enough to help relieve some of your symptoms, however, if the pain persists it is best to seek medical attention. If the pain is intense, a doctor will sometimes prescribe a stronger medication.

Cortisone Injections

Cortisone, a type of steroid, can be prescribed by your doctor, to be injected into the heel to reduce pain and swelling. Cortisone injections are usually one of the last options a doctor will consider for the treatment of heel spurs, right next to surgical intervention.

Surgery

In severe cases of heel spurs, surgery may be necessary to remove the spur. Typically, every non-invasive treatment option will be attempted before resorting to this course of action. Patients who undergo heel spur removal surgery will usually spend years going through other treatment options before surgery is suggested by a healthcare professional.

Choosing Custom Orthotics to Treat your Heel Spurs

One of the best companies that make custom orthotics that you can have delivered straight to your doorstep is Urthotics. Urthotics’ team of designers has been manufacturing orthotics for over 25 years, so they have plenty of experience and can get you the pain relief you deserve. They produce quality products that will last you years to come, as compared to generic insoles, which may only last you up to a couple of months.

Get started on creating your first pair of custom orthotics today and soothe your heel spur pain. Let custom orthotics be the first step to healing your heel spurs. Once all that pain is swelling are gone, finding a permanent solution to prevent the problem in the future will be that much easier. Use our free analysis tool to find the type of custom orthotic that is best for you!