Heel spurs are formed beneath the heel bone. The precise location is often the point where the heel bone meets or is joined to the ball of the foot. Heel spurs is actually a bony protrusion from the heel bone that develops and grows downwards towards the base of the foot. The protrusion can be very small but it can grow up to a length of about half an inch. Heel spurs cannot be diagnosed from the outside. It can only be viewed on an X-ray. If there are apparent symptoms of heel spurs but no X-ray to support it as evidence then the condition is referred to as heel spur syndrome.
Heel spurs is caused primarily because of accumulation of excess calcium on the heel bone. This process is also known as calcification. When there is more than necessary calcium accumulated at one precise point, it starts to grow the bone unnaturally and a protrusion develops. This causes heel spurs. This physical ailment can exist in isolation or it can develop along with other conditions such as tissue inflammation, fibrous inflammation and other problems of the muscles and ligaments present in the foot.
Apart from the calcium deposits that are the formal cause of heel spurs, there are many factors that can either contribute to the development of the condition or can directly cause it. Such factors include physical injury in the foot. The injury can be muscular, skeletal or that of the ligament, tissues and fibers. Athletes and sports persons are more vulnerable to such injury. Those who walk or stand for most of the time are also susceptible to such a condition. People who have abnormal postures of walking, standing or running, those who have neural problems, wear improperly fitted shoes or poor quality footwear and have excessive weight are also more vulnerable to heel spurs.
Foot deformity, diabetes, flat feet, high arches and lack of physical activity leading onto to random physical strain due to an abrupt activity are all factors that can cause, facilitate or worsen heel spurs. Depending on the age, physical form and fitness of an individual, apart from overall health, there can be dozens of factors or causes of heel spurs.
Heel spurs can be cured in many ways. One must get diagnosed when the first symptoms are observed so a treatment can be chalked out and can be administered before the condition gets worse.
