I have painful spurs in my heel.  Any cure for it other than thru operation?
822393
I found this in the internet.\n---------\nSevere rear foot pain that accompanies the first step out of bed in the morning is a sign of plantar fasciitis, a foot condition often accompanied by a heel spur. A heel spur occurs when a calcium deposit forms on the heel bone, causing a bony protrusion.\n\nThe heel bone is the largest bone in the foot, and absorbs the greatest amount of shock and pressure from walking, running and other activities. The bone is connected to the forefoot by the plantar fascia, a broad band of fibrous tissue located along the bottom surface of the foot.\n\nWhen the plantar fascia is stretched and pulls away from the heel, usually the result of over-pronation (flat feet), calcium deposits can form to fill in the gap, causing heel spurs. People with unusually high arches can develop the problem, and women have a significantly higher incidence of heel spurs than men because of the types of footwear they often wear, including high heels. Dancers or athletes who stretch the plantar fascia on a regular basis are also at risk.\n\nAccording to Dr. Suzanne Belyea, D.P.M., Medical Director of Foot.com, heel spurs themselves do not cause the severe pain. "When people have an over-stretched plantar fascia, it tightens up at night. The first step out of bed pulls it away from the insertion site, and the resulting inflammation of the plantar fascia is what causes the pain. Heel spurs are often present with this condition, but not always."\n\nStudies have shown that the size of the heel spur does not affect the level of pain, and that treating the inflammation related to the plantar fascia should allow the patient to live pain-free with a heel spur.\n\nThe key to treating the inflammation is determining the cause of the excessive stretching of the plantar fascia. When the cause is over-pronation, an orthotic with rearfoot posting and longitudinal arch support can effectively reduce the problem and allow the condition to heal.\n\nOther common treatments include foot stretching exercises, especially first thing in the morning before that first step is taken, weight loss, wearing shoes that have a cushioned heel to absorb shock, and elevating the heel with the use of a heel cradle, heel cup, or orthotic
188768
I had it inserted in the bottom of my heel for heel spurs.  While it was not the most comfortable thing I have ever experienced, neither was it anything close to the worst.  Walking was difficult for two days afterwards.  However, the discomfort was well worth it.  Before the injection I was in almost constant pain from the spurs, excruciating first thing in the morning especially.  Today I am still totally pain free - 5 years later!!  It is a definite example of very short term pain for very long term gain!  Be brave, girl!  It will be over before you know it, and the benefits should be well worth it.
79755
I impressed a doctor by actually breaking a heal spur and never noticing it.\n\nIt's actual the plantar tendon that is inflamed, not the spur itself(being bone).  This usually happens when the tendon is stretched too much.  \n\nA good way to manage this is to keep the plantar tendon and the achilles tendon stretched out.  The achilles tendon connects the heel to the calf, and it it tightens up, it can play tug of war with the plantar tendon over the heel.\n\nA couple of good stretches for this area:\n1.  Put yourself about arm's length from a wall and place both hands on the wall.\nPut one foot behind you just far enough back that the heel isn't on the floor.\nPush the heel back with your arms till you feel a stretch. Hold for 5-10 seconds and release the stretch.\nRepeat with the other foot.  \n\n2.  Stand on a stair tread with only the balls of your feet on the stair.  Make sure you have something to hold on to.\nLower your heels until you feel the stretch.  Hold at least 5-10 seconds and release.
619493
Steroid and Lidocaine injections at the site of the pain. M.D. can refer you to a pain clinic that does this, and they can give relief for months before going back for another. I have gotten them for years and they really help!\n(It's not painful either)
1168273
What sort of diagnosis did the doctors give you?  Can you describe the pain, i.e. is it more of a burning?  Have you been to see a neurologist?  Have you been to a physical therapist?\n\nUnsure if you have peripheral neuopathy or arthritis, maybe something else?\n\nRegardless, you may want to find a physical therapist who uses the Anodyne or Revitamed infrared therapy.  Check out their websites as I think they have a list of therapists who use this equipment.  This may help to relieve your symptoms, but you need an explanation for the cause of the pain - I am unsure of what is causing it.\n\nDid the doctors try taping your foot for support?\n\nGood luck!\n\nIn response to your answers:\n\nIf it is plantar fasciitis: this sounds a probable diagnosis.  Physical therapy can help with this.  We can use techniques, such as taping, ultrasound, etc. to help stretch out the area.  Plantar fasciitis can originate in the calf muscle because it is too tight.  You need to stretch out your calf!  Easiest way is by standing on a step and droping your heels off the edge.  I know one orthopedist who recommends holding the stretch for 10 minutes - quite painful to do but it can help.\n\nTry doing the following: fill an old soda bottle with water and freeze it.  Then, for about 10 minutes three times a day, take it out and roll your bare foot on it.  You can do this after the step stretch as it will help to calm down any inflammation.\n\nYou can also try a product called 'The Strassburg Sock' - specifically designed for plantar fasciitis and I have seen it work well with some patients.  Available over the counter and I think they have a website.\n\nAny other questions or comments?
176530
Been there and done that.  I sympathize with you.\n\nFor a temporary fix, you need to get sport tape and tape up your arches.  You must hold your foot so that it is in a normal standing position while you're taping.  Do not let your feet into a relaxed position while taping, or you won't be able to stand up when you're done.  Start taping on the top of your foot behind but near the widest part of your foot, right behind the toes.  Continue taping, slightly diagonally as far back as is practical.  The downside of this is that you've got to peel that tape back off at the end of the day.  And that is NOT fun--talk about a STRANGE feeling as you pull it off the bottom of the foot.  But at least this should get you through temporarily.\n\nFor a permanent solution, you will need to see a podiatrist and obtain orthotics for your shoes.  These are tailor-made inserts, molded exactly to fit your foot.  They are rather expensive (mine were about $350 about seven years ago), but many health insurance policies cover them.  Even if they don't, believe me they are worth the cost.\n\nIf you have plantar faciitis in both feet, expect it to take at least a year of wearing the orthotics to completely heal.  (You'll see marked improvement much sooner than that, though.)\n\nOne major no-no for those who have plantar faciitis--NEVER go barefoot or wear shoes without good arch support.  That lets the arch drop again.
1138163
The very best thing to do at this point - my son has the same problem from time to time & here's what his dr said (this way you get dr advice but don't have to go to the dr) Soak your foot in epsom salts dissolved in hot water a couple of times a day until the redness & soreness goes away. Don't bandage it - if possible wear open toed shoes until it heals. It won't get seriously infected if you keep doing the soaks. In the future, keep your toe nail trimmed straight across to prevent it from becoming ingrown again. The peroxide isn't as good an idea but it can't hurt to put some of the triple antibiotic ointment on each night. Good luck & I hope you feel better soon!!!
890023
I am so glad you asked.\nEpson salt and really hot water-soak your infected foot. If you get them concurrently like I had in the past, go to the podiatrist, have him to a procedure on you that consists of numbing your toe up, cutting the nail off, jabbing huge q-tips with a chemical called phenyll on them down  into your  sides of the toe, and wrapping them up and wabam, ur done. Umm, I made that sounds REALLY painnful, but it is not at all, I watched the whole thing conscious, but then again, I was numbed up. Have fun, andif  you have any further questions email me at lawguy04_1984@hotmail.com... :-)
244253
first of all, buy better shoes. Second, take an anti-inflammatory ALL THE TIME. Just taking it when it hurts does not help the problem. Third, quit running and start walking for exercise. Shortening your stride will also help. You can strengthen those muscles by doing 30 toe-raises a day. Without the support of a wall, go from flat footed to up on your toes 30 times each day. Do so fairly slowly and let yourself back down JUST as slowly.
826858
I've had similar problems, not that I didn't have the money, just that I didn't want to spend the money on a doctor cutting on my foot. I had a bad one that went on for several months, soaking it and trying to fix it myself, until finally one day it hurt so bad I couldn't walk on it. I used some Peroxide to wash and clean it and then slowly started working with a small pair of scissors, the kind most women have for whatever they use them for lol, to move then end of the nail up out of the place that hurts...it took a while and it was painful at times, but as soon as I got it worked up and could break it off, it felt sooo much better. I know this isn't the safest or healthiest way, but if you keep everything clean and sterile it wouldn't hurt. I fixed mine and it's not bothered me for over 4 months now. Hope this helps a little.
1167347
No instant solution I'm afraid. I found relief by by putting a small electric blanket on it (hot pad). After three months I was due to have and orthopaedic surgeon operate on it but over just a few days it started to eventually get better. I was desperate, to the point of even looking forward to the operation. You have my sympathy. The worst consuming pain I have ever had, my triple heart by-pass operation was a doddle by comparison.
800657
cut your foot off with a hacksaw and put it in a kooler with some ice.  bring it to the hospital and tell them your foot hurts.
729381
If it's a heel problem (on foot) then try some Bio-Oil and Flexitol heel balm. Also worth going for a pedicure to start things off. Good Luck
619867
no cure. but better shoes will help, so will support stockings. use some liniment like Ben gay on your legs when you get home.  I think the occasional soaking in warm Epsom salts will also help.  buy ankle weights and use them with leg exercises to help make your muscles stronger.\n\nMake an appointment with a podiatrist (foot doctor) \n(to be sure the problem isn't a medical one or becomes one like flat foot or fallen arches, he should also have some good suggestions to help the aches, In some states (But not all) he may also be able to help you with your employer esp if you would need something like a high stool to sit on near the register between helping people.     (work related medical injury problem, discrimination against handicap etc/))
213972
Surgery is the worst case alternative to cure the plantar's fasciitis.  However, specially made orthotic inserts from the podiatrist did wonders for me personally.  Other suggestions would be losing weight if you are over weight, and spending less time up on your feet.  Make sure you are walking properly with heel to toe steps.
453653
Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are bony projections that form along joints. Bone spurs form due to the body's increase of a damaged (usually due to arthritis) joint's surface area in a futile attempt to improve weight distribution. However, they usually limit joint movement and typically cause pain.\n\nBone spurs form naturally on the spine as a person ages and are a sign of degeneration in the spine. In this case the spurs are not the source of back pains, but instead a common symptom of the problem.\n\nI had one in my shoulder once that made movement very painful. I found that I'd do anything to be relieved of the problem. My Dr had prescribed steroids and I took them orally... they didn't seem to work and the pain continued. The doctor later prescribe Buspur. I didn't know what it was until later. I guess the Dr thought I was getting too impatient. It took about six months and two weeks of steroids for the spur to go away on its own. I'm glad I didn't have to have surgery. The Buspur is still in my cabinet some ten years later. But you need to have a doctor check out the spur, it could be tearing important tissue, or doing other damage. You don't want it to damage the cartilage in a joint or rub a nerve the wrong way \n\n\nSpurs can also appear on the feet, either along toes or the heel.
664354
yeah sometimes, but what  you do to cure is it to use your hand and pull the top of your foot back and just stretch the topof your foot until it's gone and of you just olet is stay there you will be in pain for a LONG time