Heel Spur Removal Surgery Seattle
May 8th, 2010 | 
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Heel spur top.
One of the more common questions we receive about heel pain is whether or not a heel spur should be surgically removed. For the most part the answer is a very definitive NO. In fact, heel spurs usually do not cause pain. The spur that is often present in patients with heel pain, is actually just a response to too much tension on the plantar fascia. This tension leads to inflammation and pain. Over time, the tugging of the plantar fascia on the heel bone leads to formation of a spur. But the spur is not what is causing the pain – it is the tightness of the plantar fascia that causes pain. Thus, if you remove the tension from the plantar fascia, the pain usually goes away – without surgery. The heelspur itself can be there forever and never cause pain.
Heel spur surgery is usually not necessary and has many potential complications. It should only be considered as a very last resort. Get a second, third and fourth opinion before letting anyone perform heel spur surgery on you or someone you love.
Home treatment hints for heel pain can be found here.
If you are in the Seattle area you can make an appointment here to see in in our foot clinic.
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Posted in Foot Conditions | 
Tags: heel spur, heel surgery, plantar fasciitis, podiatrist, Seattle podiatrist
i used to be a regular runner before this problem of heel spur,i just want to know can i jog if my pain goes without removal of heel spur
heel spurs do not have to be removed to relieve pain. In fact, heel spurs do not cause heel pain. They form because of tension on the plantar fascia, but the pain comes from the tension, not from the spur
I have 2 surgeries done on both heels. Both procedures were perfomred to releave the tension by cutting a part of planter fascia. None of them worked and the pain is still the same in left heel. The right heel got better with firt surgery but pain came back after 1 year and second surgery did not help at all (for both heels). Now I’m getting lower back pain. Doc told me that my back pain was due to reposnde of my body to the pain to adjust the weight causing the back bone to twist.
I’ve been with this pain for 6 years and adjusted my life style by very limited walking.
I’ve tried all the excersices, therapies (physical, thermal, TENS etc)and 2 surgeries but not permanent changes.
On a note: I can wear only Merrell Mens Jungle Moc shoes but have to change them after 4 months. I’m 5-10 and 195lbs.
Will removal of these spurs from heel work?
You don’t mention if you have had orthotics. If not, your goal would be to get orthotics that act to maximally decrease pressure on the heel. You can read about orthotics for heel pain here.
Rocker soles on shoes can also be very helpful. Read about rocker soles here.
You need to find a podiatrist in your area that specializes in biomechanics and orthotic therapy.