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A bone spur is an abnormal bone growth that develops when the body is trying to heal previous damage. Bone spurs are common on feet, and they often form where two bones meet, eventually leading to many foot issues. Recognizing the early signs of a spur will ensure you seek the right podiatric services before it worsens. Below is a comprehensive guide you can use to keep your feet healthy.

What You Need to Know About Bone Spurs

Causes & Symptoms

Bone spurs can form in many parts of the body, including the spine, hips, knees, feet, and ankles. Those in the feet are often from a foot injury that healed incorrectly. The pressure on your feet caused by being overweight or wearing ill-fitting shoes can also lead to fractures and bone spurs. People with high or low arches and flat feet may also develop bone spurs if they don’t wear supportive shoes.

Spurs most commonly form on injury-prone areas like the top of the middle of the foot, the heel, or on a toe. Patients that develop bone spurs experience general pain in the area, trouble walking or standing for long periods, swelling, and limited mobility.

podiatric services cincinnatiBone spurs can go on to severely limit mobility and cause increasing and constant pain. Some bone spurs can have little-to-no symptoms, which is why it’s crucial to schedule podiatric services when experiencing the slightest discomfort.

Treatment & Prevention

A foot specialist will examine the location of the spur to how it affects your range of motion. They may perform an X-ray to get a complete diagnosis. Surgery is only suggested for bone spurs on the top of a foot that severely limit mobility and cause extreme pain. In most cases, lifestyle changes and at-home management will reduce discomfort.

At home, try heating and icing the foot in 15-minute on and off intervals to reduce swelling and minimize pain. Over-the-counter pain medication can also help alleviate discomfort.

A podiatric specialist will recommend losing weight, if relevant, to alleviate stress on the bone spur. They’ll also recommend finding shoes that are more supportive and padded but leave enough room to wiggle your toes. Custom inserts can be helpful for those with high and low arches.

If you’re at risk of bone spurs or have already experienced one, positive lifestyle and footwear changes are the keys to prevention. The same ones that alleviate discomfort will also keep other spurs from forming.

 

If you need podiatric services, Foot & Ankle Specialists of Cincinnati can help. This Ohio-based practice uses state-of-the-art treatments to manage and resolve many issues, including foot and heel pain, ankle pain, and foot injuries. They also offer care for diabetes, ulcers, plantar fasciitis, and sports injuries. Call (513) 769-4408 to schedule a foot exam, and visit their website to learn about their full scope of services.

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