Heel Spurs (CP)
How We Can Help You for Heel Spurs
Our doctors have the expertise and experience needed to precisely diagnose and treat heel spurs (also known as calcaneal spurs), the condition where a buildup of calcium on the heel causes bony growths.
Our world-class orthopaedic specialists, licensed acupuncturists, physical therapists, and other specialists work together to develop a complete care plan personalized to your unique condition and needs. We always emphasize the least invasive approach possible, such as acupuncture, shoe inserts, medication, or physical therapy.
Our team offers the full range of treatment options to help relieve the symptoms heel spurs, which may include a burning or warm feeling, chronic or intermittent pain, inflammation, or swelling. If your symptoms don’t improve, your doctor may recommend surgery. Beyond relieving your symptoms, our goal is to help you return to your normal activities as quickly and safely as possible.
In addition, Stanford Health Care patients with heel spurs may have opportunities to join research studies of new treatment approaches not yet available anywhere else.
What We Offer You for Heel Spurs
- Specialized expertise from one of the world’s leading programs focused on diagnosing and treating heel spurs and other orthopaedic conditions.
- Team-based treatment planning that brings together highly experienced specialists who create a comprehensive care plan personalized to your unique needs.
- Advanced treatment options, always emphasizing the least invasive approaches possible but also providing state-of-the-art surgery whenever needed.
- Full support that includes care planning and follow-up focused on helping you enjoy relief from heel pain and return to your normal activities.
- Clinical trial opportunities to join research studies of new innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of heel spurs.
- Easy access to highly trained specialists conveniently located close to where you work or live.
Treatments for Heel Spurs
Heel spurs, also known as calcaneal spurs, are bony growths caused by a buildup of calcium on the back of or beneath the heel. In many cases, heel spurs relate to other medical conditions, such as plantar fasciitis. Although heel spurs don’t always cause symptoms, many people experience heel pain.
Stanford’s orthopaedic specialists work with you to find the best treatments for heel spurs. Using time-tested medications, exercises, and orthotics, we help many people avoid the need for surgery. If your heel spurs cause more severe symptoms or don’t respond to other treatments, our surgical team helps you find relief using safe, effective surgical techniques. In some cases, your surgeon may use minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as endoscopic plantar fascia release, to complete your treatment.
If heel spurs cause pain, we use tried-and-true treatments and minimally invasive surgical techniques to help you find relief fast.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Surgery
In most cases, nonsurgical interventions provide effective heel spur treatment. Your doctor may suggest a combination of therapies to help you find maximum relief from heel pain.
Complimentary Therapies
Complementary therapies like acupuncture may provide effective symptom relief, helping you avoid the need for more intensive treatments. Licensed acupuncturists insert extremely thin needles into the skin at various points throughout the body to activate specific trigger points. Some studies suggest this technique helps relieve pain.
Nonivasive Treatment
Your doctor may suggest:
Ice
Applying ice or cold packs to the affected foot daily for short periods may help reduce pain.
Rest
Staying off the affected foot may be enough to improve symptoms.
Orthotics
These specially made shoe inserts help support your foot while elevating and cushioning your heel.
Proper shoes
Wearing supportive shoes may help reduce pain while you stand or walk.
Medications
Certain medications may help manage heel pain, including:
- Corticosteroid injections: In some cases, doctors inject a small amount of steroids into your foot to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, relieve pain while also reducing inflammation.
Physical Therapy
Your doctor may also suggest orthopaedic physical therapy to strengthen calf muscles and tendons like the plantar fascia. You work with our specially trained physical therapists to develop an exercise and stretching routine fitted to your unique needs. In some cases, general stretching exercises, such as a calf stretch, may help manage pain.
Doctors typically recommend surgery only if your symptoms do not improve over several months with conservative treatment. Your doctor may recommend:
- Plantar fascia release: In some cases, partially cutting the plantar fascia relieves tension. Your doctor makes a single small incision to access the plantar fascia, which helps you heal faster with fewer complications.
- Surgical removal of spurs: Your doctor may simply recommend open surgery to remove heel spurs. Your surgeon makes a longer incision to access heel spurs and remove them.
In most cases, nonsurgical interventions provide effective heel spur treatment. Your doctor may suggest a combination of therapies to help you find maximum relief from heel pain.
Complimentary Therapies
Complementary therapies like acupuncture may provide effective symptom relief, helping you avoid the need for more intensive treatments. Licensed acupuncturists insert extremely thin needles into the skin at various points throughout the body to activate specific trigger points. Some studies suggest this technique helps relieve pain.
Nonivasive Treatment
Your doctor may suggest:
Ice
Applying ice or cold packs to the affected foot daily for short periods may help reduce pain.
Rest
Staying off the affected foot may be enough to improve symptoms.
Orthotics
These specially made shoe inserts help support your foot while elevating and cushioning your heel.
Proper shoes
Wearing supportive shoes may help reduce pain while you stand or walk.
Medications
Certain medications may help manage heel pain, including:
- Corticosteroid injections: In some cases, doctors inject a small amount of steroids into your foot to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, relieve pain while also reducing inflammation.
Physical Therapy
Your doctor may also suggest orthopaedic physical therapy to strengthen calf muscles and tendons like the plantar fascia. You work with our specially trained physical therapists to develop an exercise and stretching routine fitted to your unique needs. In some cases, general stretching exercises, such as a calf stretch, may help manage pain.
close Nonsurgical Treatments
Doctors typically recommend surgery only if your symptoms do not improve over several months with conservative treatment. Your doctor may recommend:
- Plantar fascia release: In some cases, partially cutting the plantar fascia relieves tension. Your doctor makes a single small incision to access the plantar fascia, which helps you heal faster with fewer complications.
- Surgical removal of spurs: Your doctor may simply recommend open surgery to remove heel spurs. Your surgeon makes a longer incision to access heel spurs and remove them.
close Surgery
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may be eligible to participate in open clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies that are currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future.
What is a Heel Spur?
Our Clinics
The Stanford Health Care Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine program offers easy access to innovative sports medicine services personalized to your needs.
450 Broadway Street
450 Broadway StreetRedwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-723-5643 Getting Here »
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