A bone spur is extra bone that forms on top of normal
bone. Feet are a common place for bone spurs to appear. They can cause pain and
other problems if they rub on other bones, ligaments, tendons or nerves. Bone
spurs can form due to:
- Aging – Cartilage breaks down over time and can cause bone spurs to form along the edges of the joint.
- Tight ligaments
- Stress on the feet due to sports and activities
- Extra pressure from being overweight
- Poorly fitting shoes
It is possible to have bone spurs and not know it, as
many cases do not cause any symptoms. Many bone spurs do not require treatment.
However, if you are experiencing pain or discomfort, or if the spur is damaging
other tissue, then your physician can recommend a course of treatment to ease
your symptoms. Treatments include:
- Stretching
- Rest
- Orthotics
- Icing the area
- Steroid injections or ibuprofen
- Surgery
Bone spurs on the foot most commonly affect toes and heels. If you notice a bump on one of those areas, check with your physician to see if it could be a bone spur
Image by Debra Roby. Toe Pre-surgery. (2007). Flickr.
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