From the Guidelines
Yes, heel spurs (calcium deposits) can cause leg pain, though they don't always produce symptoms. These bony outgrowths form on the underside of the heel bone and can extend up to half an inch, potentially irritating surrounding tissues and causing pain that may radiate up the leg. The pain typically feels sharp when first standing and may become a dull ache throughout the day.
Treatment Options
Treatment options include:
- rest
- ice
- over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (400-800mg three times daily with food) or naproxen (220-440mg twice daily)
- proper footwear with cushioned heels
- orthotic inserts
- stretching exercises for the plantar fascia and calf muscles
- night splints
- physical therapy Most heel spurs respond to conservative treatment within 9-12 months 1. The pain occurs because the spur can irritate soft tissues, including the plantar fascia, causing inflammation. Heel spurs often develop as a result of long-term plantar fasciitis, where repeated strain causes calcium deposits to form. Only in rare cases when conservative treatments fail would surgical removal be considered.
Causes of Heel Pain
Other causes of heel pain may include soft tissue trauma, such as acute rupture of the plantar fascia, tumors, infections, and vascular compromise 1. If one of these conditions is suspected, proper diagnostic testing, as well as consultation and appropriate referral, are essential.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Initial treatment options may include patient-directed measures such as regular calf-muscle stretching, cryotherapy, over-the-counter heel cushions and arch supports, weight loss (if indicated); activity limitation; and avoidance of flat shoes and barefoot walking 1. Treatment may also involve nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); padding and strapping of the foot, and, in appropriate patients, corticosteroid injections. If improvement occurs, treatments are continued until symptoms resolve.
From the Research
Heel Spurs and Leg Pain
- Heel spurs, also known as calcium deposits, can contribute to heel pain, but their direct relationship with leg pain is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, heel spurs are often associated with conditions such as plantar fasciitis, which can cause pain in the heel and potentially radiate to other areas of the leg 2, 3, 4.
- The development of calcaneal spurs is linked to various factors, including gender, age, occupation, and lifestyle, which may also contribute to leg pain 4.
- A rare cause of heel pain is a calcaneal spur fracture, which can occur after trauma and may be associated with leg pain 5.
Associated Conditions
- Heel spurs are often found in association with other conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, arthropathies, gout, pes cavus, and pes planus, which can cause pain in the heel and leg 4, 6.
- The presence of a plantar calcaneal spur may be an indicator of foot pain independent of plantar fasciitis, and patients with spurs are more likely to have diabetes mellitus and lower-limb osteoarthritis 6.
- These associated conditions can contribute to leg pain, either directly or indirectly, through mechanisms such as inflammation, nerve compression, or altered biomechanics 3, 4, 6.
Treatment and Management
- Treatment for heel spurs and associated conditions typically involves conservative methods, such as rest, physical therapy, stretching, and changes in footwear, as well as anti-inflammatory agents and orthotics 2, 3, 4.
- In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat heel spurs or associated conditions, which can help alleviate leg pain 2, 3, 4.