Suffering from sharp pain in your feet when you wake up? Feels like a knife or pin digging onto the underside of your heel? You could be suffering from heel spur.

Those at risk of suffering from heel spur include:

Those who have walking gait abnormalities,which place excessive stress on the heel bone, ligaments, and nerves near the heel
Running or jogging especially on hard surfaces
Poorly fitted or badly worn shoes, especially those lacking appropriate arch support- very flat shoes
Excess weight and obesity
Athletes whose activities include large amounts of running and jumping
People who begin jogging or walking daily after years of no exercise.

Heel Spur

A heel spur is a calcium deposit causing a bony protrusion on the underside of the heel bone.They are frequently associated with plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the fibrous band of connective tissue (plantar fascia) that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot

In order to protect the heel’s surrounding tissues from repetitive damage and strain, cells that specialize in forming bone migrate to the site and start depositing calcium, which leads to the formation of heel spurs. This calcium buildup on the underside of the heel bone is a process that typically occurs over a period of many months.A heel spur is only observable by an X-ray and is painful when inflammation develops in the tissues surrounding it.More often than not, heel spurs have no signs or symptoms, and you do not feel any pain. This is because heel spurs are not pointy or sharp pieces of bone, contrary to common belief. Heel spurs do not cut tissue every time movement occurs; they are actually deposits of calcium on bone set in place by the body’s normal bone-forming mechanisms. This means they are smooth and flat, just like all other bones.

Because there is already tissue present at the site of a heel spur, sometimes that area and the surrounding tissue get inflamed/irritated, leading to a number of symptoms, such as chronic heel pain that occurs when jogging or walking.Another cause of heel spur pain comes from the development of new fibrous tissue around the bony spur, which acts as a cushion over the area of stress. As this tissue grows, a callus forms and takes up even more space than the heel spur — leading to less space for the thick surrounding network of tendons, nerves, ligaments and supporting tissue. These important structures in the foot have limited space because of calcium or tissue buildup, which leads to swelling and redness of the foot, and a deep throbbing pain worsened with exercise.

Conclusion

The pain caused by heel spurs can be a sharp, stabbing pain when using the foot after a long period of rest. Sometimes it then reduces to a dull throb that can worsen when engaging in activities like jogging or jumping. People sometimes describe the pain of heel spurs as a pin sticking into the bottom of the foot when they first stand up in the morning; this pain later turns into a bearable ache.

The cause of the pain is generally not the heel spur itself, but the soft-tissue buildup associated with it. People often complain that the sharp pain returns after they stand up following sitting for a prolonged period of time.

Other Risk Factors Associated With Heel Spur

Increasing age, which decreases plantar fascia flexibility and thins the heel’s protective fat pad
Diabetes
spending most of the day on one’s feet
Frequent short bursts of physical activity
Having either flat feet or high arches

Non-Surgical Treatments for Heel Spurs

The heel pain associated with heel spurs may not respond well to rest. If you walk after a night’s sleep, the pain may feel worse as the plantar fascia suddenly elongates, which stretches and pulls on the heel. The pain often decreases the more you walk. But you may feel a recurrence of pain after either prolonged rest or extensive walking.
If you have heel pain that persists for more than one month, consult a health care provider. He or she may recommend conservative treatments such as:

Stretching exercise
Shoe recommendations
Taping or strapping to rest stressed muscles and tendons
Shoe inserts or orthotic devices
Physical therapy
Night splints

In some cases, injection with a corticosteroid may be done to relieve inflammation in the area.

Surgery for Heel Spurs

More than 90 percent of people get better with nonsurgical treatments. If conservative treatment fails to treat symptoms of heel spurs after a period of 9 to 12 months, surgery may be necessary to relieve pain and restore mobility. Surgical techniques include:

Release of the plantar fascia
Removal of a spur

Pre-surgical tests or exams are required to identify optimal candidates, and it is important to observe post-surgical recommendations concerning rest, ice, compression, elevation of the foot, and when to place weight on the operated foot. In some cases, it may be necessary for patients to use bandages, splints, casts, surgical shoes, crutches, or canes after surgery. Possible complications of heel surgery include nerve pain, recurrent heel pain, permanent numbness of the area, infection, and scarring. In addition, with plantar fascia release there is risk of instability, foot cramps, stress fracture, and tendinitis.

Prevention of Heel Spurs

You can prevent heel spurs by:

Wearing well-fitting shoes with shock-absorbent soles, rigid shanks and supportive heel avoid very flat shoes.
Avoid wearing shoes with excessive wear on the heels and soles.
Choosing appropriate shoes for each physical activity
Warming up and doing stretching exercises before each physical activity and pacing yourself during the activities.
If you are overweight,losing weight may also help prevent heel spurs.

References:

Dr Axe blog
WebMd.com