Are heel spurs keeping you off your feet? Dr. Christopher Bussema, Dr. Kathleen Bickle, and Dr. Robert Monfore at Advanas Foot and Ankle Specialists in Angola, IN, and Coldwater, Sturgis, Paw Paw, and Portage, MI offers heel spur surgery and other effective methods of healing and relief.
Healing From Heel Spurs
Heel spurs can be a painful, frustrating condition to deal with. There are several approaches to addressing heel spurs, which include surgery. In this quick guide, Dr. Bussema, Dr. Bickle, Dr. Monfore, and our team at Advanas Foot and Ankle Specialists in Angola, IN, and Coldwater, Sturgis, Paw Paw, and Portage, MI will discuss this condition and when heel spur surgery might be the answer.
What Exactly Are Heel Spurs?
Over time, excessive stress on the heel can cause calcium deposits, which form into a lump or spur. As they stick out, they can create a great deal of discomfort and debilitating pain.
The stress that leads to heel spurs can come from various activities and factors, including:
- Wearing footwear that doesn’t provide proper support
- Excessive training or exercise without taking breaks to let the heels rest
- Gait abnormalities
- Being overweight
- Aging
In some cases, conservative approaches can treat heel spurs. For example, choosing better footwear, resting more, custom orthotics, or losing weight may be all that you need to heal. When conservative approaches don’t work, though, surgery is typically recommended.
What You Need to Know About Heel Spur Surgery
Heel spur surgery comes in two basic forms: interior and posterior heel spur resection. The interior form addresses heel spurs that developed due to an issue in the plantar fascia, while the posterior form is used with heel spurs near the Achilles tendon.
Regardless of the form, both are available as minimally invasive and traditional surgery. Though the minimally invasive technique can provide a faster recovery time, traditional surgery can help ensure that all heel spurs are removed. Our podiatrists will discuss these options in more detail and provide a recommendation according to your needs.
You can expect to be fully recovered within three months, but most people can return to work within a few weeks. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll need to follow all post-op instructions, especially in regard to how long you should wait to engage in weight-bearing activities.
Learn if heel spur surgery in Angola, IN, or Coldwater, Sturgis, Paw Paw, or Portage, MI is the right move for you with the help of Dr. Bussema, Dr. Bickle, and Dr. Monfore. Call (800) 856-1106 to schedule an appointment at Advanas Foot and Ankle Specialists today.
