Align Foot and Ankle offers every conservative and surgical option for all sudden and chronic foot and ankle predicaments. One of the most common reasons to see Dr Barnett are bone spurs. Are bone spurs really causing your pain? What are the best ways to address and resolve these growths for good?
A Bone spur is new growth of bone in an area it is not desirable, either around a joint, at a tendon, or around a ligament. Its formation can stick out under the skin, limit joint or tendon motion, and can be hard to wear shoes or walk. Depending on where the spur is will determine if it needs to be fixed or simply accommodated.
Heel Spurs/Plantar Fasciitis
A Heel spur is diagnosed simply with an Xray, and is seen on the bottom and front of the heel bone. Many people think this is the cause of the heel pain, but 95% of the time it is not the cause, only a side effect of swollen soft tissue known as the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia and surrounding muscles pull on the bone and the bone grows near the fascia. The heel’s thick fat pad, however, prevents the spur from being painful. The pain is caused by the swollen fascia. Treatments for heel are geared to loosening and repairing the fascia not remove the spur.. Even surgery to repair the stiff swollen fascia does not include removing the bone spur. Evidence-based therapy for heel pain include Titan Shockwave, Remy laser, Angel PRP, Amniotic Tissue, or minimal invasive fascia release in surgery (endoscopic plantar fasciotomy).
Joint Bone Spurs
One of the most common sites for a bone spur is the top of the foot. This is a collection of the most complex joints in the foot. The joints over time tend to grind and grow new bone, either from foot shape or trauma. As the joint grinds, the body forms a bone callus that protrudes and rubs on shoes. Surgery would be minimal invasive surgery (with fast recovery time and low risk), joint fusion to prevent grinding, pain, and recurrence. If a spur is simply removed, Dr. Barnett recommends custom orthotics or high arched sandals to support the arch and prevent recurrence.
Pic shows Arthritis and top of foot spur because of grindingHaglund’s Deformity/Bone Spur (Back of Heel)
The Achilles is the largest tendon in the body, with the worst blood flow. Over time the Achilles gets tight and pulls against the heel forming a bone spur, called an enthesopathy, that sticks out and makes wearing shoe gear hard. Conservative therapy includes neoprene backed shoes, silicon pads, Remy Laser, Titan Shockwave, or Angel PRP injections to settle down the pain. If conservative fails, Dr. Barnett does the most innovative sports repair. Dr. Barnett will shave the bone, reattach the achilles, and clen up all scar tissue using four tiny incisions. What once took weeks or months to heal the skin now takes 1-2 weeks. Small incisions make for more stability and less pain. Traditional surgery is no weight for 4-8 weeks with minimal invasive allowing walking in 1-2 weeks.
Xray before and after and skin incision
Bone Spur Take Away
Overall, bone spurs can be a cause of pain, or evidence friction is occurring. Dr. Barnett specializes in the most advanced conservative or surgical options and will build a custom plan for each person’s need. Align Foot and Ankle offers more conservative treatment or surgical options for a truly concierge approach to medicine. Dr. Barnett always treats the patient, not the condition.
