Heel Spurs

• Unusual or abnormal motion in joints over time can cause spurs.
   
• Excessive tension on the bone from a tendon where it attaches to the bone can cause spurs (as in the case of plantar fasciitis - the plantar fascia becomes inflamed due to excessive stress and can cause a calcaneal spur to form [see below]). The stretching of the plantar fascia often results from over-pronation or flat feet; but people with very high arches can also develop heel spurs.
   
• Trauma - both severe and repetitive (everyday "wear and tear") - can cause bone spurs, and the spurs can occur simply as a result of the aging process of the feet.
   
• Diseases such as osteomyelitis (bone infection) and Charcot foot can cause bone spurs.
   
• Arthritis and general inflammation can cause bone spurs.

• The Integrated Fitting Solution™ (consisting of Thorlos engineered padded sock products, an insert or orthotic as necessary, and properly designed and fitted shoes or boots) is the most cost effective, proven method to-date that provides proactive protection against pressure, impact and shear forces.  It provides protection to help mitigate the formation of bone spurs in the feet. It also helps protect the feet in situations where spurs have already formed.
  • The Thorlos engineered padded sock product component of the Integrated Product Solution provides anatomically designed terry padding that cushions impacts and protects vulnerable areas from pressure and bumps. It helps ensure heel coupling and proper interface with the arch area to provide correct postural alignment.  Thorlos are made with  proprietary THORLON® acrylic yarn and yarn blends that are designed to cushion and protect the feet, and are the only sock product clinically proven to provide proactive protection against pressure and shear forces, and to provide pain reduction. Click here to visit the Institute for Preventive Foot Health web site and read more about the peer reviewed published medical research conducted with Thorlos engineered padded socks.
     
  • Inserts that provide arch support and a slight heel lift help ensure that not too much stress is placed on the plantar fascia to reduce the possibility of inflammation and overstress for the plantar fascia. In cases of overpronation, inserts help support the feet and keep the feet from turning in excessively.
     
  • Properly designed and fitted shoes or boots provide sufficient room in the toe box so as not to compress the toes, and also provide cushioning in appropriate areas to minimize the possibility of the irritation and inflammation that can lead to bone spurs in the feet.
     
• If you have heel pain, toe pain or top of the foot pain, see your physician or foot specialist to ensure that a spur has not developed.
   
• If you are an overpronator, make sure to get your gait analyzed by a foot care professional and get orthotics to help address the overpronation.

• While they typically do not cause a great deal of pain, bone spurs in the feet are frequently an indication of inflammation of muscles, tendons, or ligaments, and can signify an anomaly in your gait.
   
• Spurs tend to occur as we age, sometimes even if there is not a specific medical reason for them to form.
   
• Bone spurs may not require special treatment, but those that limit range of motion or cause other problems that limit your ability to perform work or daily tasks may require surgery.

Remember, ALWAYS consult your physician if you have soreness, pain, redness, swelling or other indications of problems in any area of your feet that persist for more than a few days, particularly if you have invested in a properly fitted Thorlos Integrated Fitting Solution.  If your feet do not feel better, Thorlos offers a money back guarantee on all engineered padded sock products (the guarantee does not cover shoes and inserts).