When it comes to foot pain, it’s an “if you know, you know” sort of deal. You probably haven’t heard of bone spurs unless you’ve been diagnosed with bone spurs. Or, you may think the pain you’re experiencing is chalked up to plantar fasciitis, the most common form of heel pain. We’re here today to break down the differences, sure, but we also want to help you figure out how to relieve the heel pain you’re feeling.
Differences Between Bone Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis
Like we said, if you’ve ever experienced heel pain, you’re going to know what we’re talking about. If not, you might learn a thing or two that could help if, and when, you experience your own heel pain.
Bone Spurs
Quite simply, a bone spur is a bony growth that develops on the edge of a bone, sometimes causing symptoms like general pain, numbness, tenderness, and weakness, depending on where the bone spur is located. They aren’t specific to the foot or heel but are most commonly caused by local inflammation – like what you’d experience with osteoarthritis or tendonitis.
The treatments are typically just over-the-counter pain relievers, ice to reduce swelling, special shoes or shoe inserts, and depending on the gravity of the diagnosis, physical therapy, prescription pain meds, or even surgery to remove the bone spurs.
Plantar Fasciitis
On the other hand (er – foot?), plantar fasciitis is inflammation of a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. According to the Mayo Clinic, the inflamed tissue runs across the bottom of the foot, and the symptoms include stabbing pain near the heel, often being the worst in the morning. It’s very common, with upwards of 3 million new U.S. cases per year and treatments including physical therapy, special shoe inserts, steroid injections, and surgery.
How to Relieve Bone Spur Pain at Home
The prescribed treatments for these two conditions are very similar, especially when we’re talking more severe cases of either, including physical therapy, possible steroid injections, prescription pain meds, or even surgery. Yet, we aren’t here to be doctors today; we’re here to talk about at-home remedies that work to relieve the pain you’re feeling.
Shoes for Bone Spurs (or inserts!)
To get closer to a pain-free lifestyle, take a good look at your footwear. Your shoes need to fit well and have adequate support to cushion the additional bone growth properly. At SASNola, for example, our goal was to craft shoes and sandals that provide a customized fit, with cloud-like comfortable insoles, shock-absorbing soles, and the highest quality leathers and materials on the market.
Being on your feet is simply a part of life, so we made being on your feet feel like nothing at all. If you’re looking for the best shoes for bone spurs on your heel, SASNola is the place to go for all sorts of shoe styles. Comfortable heeled sandals, everyday sneakers, formal dress shoes – you name it; SASNola’s got it.
Treat Your Feet Every Once in a While
It’s important to keep the swelling down, so that could mean using ice packs or ice baths after a day on your feet. Kick them up (keep them elevated) and let the blood flow for a while. Here are some other “treat yo’ feet yo’self” ideas to relieve bone spur pain:
- Regular Foot Baths – Try using Epsom salts rather than fancy bath bombs, soaps, or salts. Epsom salts are specifically meant to relieve soreness and treat swelling.
- Stretch & Work Out Your Feet – Flex and curl your toes, stretch your arches, move your ankles, etc. Try utilizing resistance bands, too. These actions can help improve flexibility, prevent cramping, and build muscle.
- Get a Professional Foot Massage – Or DIY. If you don’t want to invest in a professional foot massage, do some research into proper techniques and supplementary products before you set out to give yourself a foot massage.
- Try Topical Pain Relievers – If nothing else works, look for products that also have cooling and pain-relieving abilities (usually found in products with ingredients like menthol or eucalyptus).
- Take Pain Relievers When It Becomes Too Much – If you can afford to be choosy, look for Ibuprofen or Naproxen Sodium over Acetaminophen. The former two target pain as well as inflammation rather than either/or. It may take a while for you to notice that these types of medications are working, so consult with your doctor to find out if you need something prescribed or to learn about the potential side effects from long-term use of over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Know When It’s Time to Call in the Big Guns – Sometimes, you simply need a specialist to help you figure out the proper ways to combat the pain you’re feeling, especially when it comes to bone spurs or plantar fasciitis. Orthopedic specialists exist for a reason, and if these easy at-home methods aren’t doing much, it’s time to turn to those who know feet inside out.
The First Step: Find the Best Pair of Shoes for Bone Spurs from SASNola
We know the importance of a good pair of shoes. The wrong pair of shoes, whether they just don’t support you, aren’t comfortable, or don’t fit, will make your days long and often unbearable, especially when you bring bone spurs and other more permanent types of foot pain into the mix. That’s why we’re here – to ensure that there are high-quality, comfortable, proper-fitting shoes on the market for those who need them.