Has Anyone Had a Bone Spur(s) Surgically Removed from a Foot and If So....

Updated on April 06, 2014
A.L. asks from Las Vegas, NV
7 answers

did it make matters better or worse?
Evening, I have THREE bone spurs in the heel of my left foot. I went to the Podiatrist over a year ago and she said the spurs could callus over and sorta wall themselves off and then I might not have as much pain. So far, I don't think that has happened and if I walk for too long, they just cause my heel to really ache.
Has anyone had them surgically removed? I fear surgery and have heard that it can make things worse..
thoughts, suggestions.. alternatives? .. oh and I've tried a heel insert and that only helped a little bit..

thanks

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So What Happened?

Hello everyone
Thanks for all the great advice, some of you mentioned surgery isn't the way to go, you confirmed my concerns as I had heard that often, foot surgery can make the matter worse..After doing more research, I came upon a youtube video by Dr. Ray McClanahan of Correct Feet... WOW!!! I have since watched many of his helpful videos, which not only discuss the ailment and detail why a foot problem may occur, which in my case are bone spurs and Morton's Neuromas, he also shows what stretches a person can do to help the foot heal!!! I am THRILLED to have found a doctor out there who doesn't nec recommend surgery or cortisone shots.. so far, having done several different types of stretches as taught by Dr. McClanahan, my feet haven't felt this good in years !!!! who knew the feet could get so tight and that massage can help tremendously!!! anyway.. thanks again everyone !!! on the road to recovery over here and loving it !!!!

More Answers

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S.T.

answers from Houston on

As a former podiatrist I can tell you that bone spurs (in this case) are definitely not caused by malabsorption, but by the large band of fascia that connect the metatarsal heads to the heel. When you over pronate (have flat feet) that band of fascia pulls on its attachment called the aponeurosis. that fascia gets inflamed - hence plantar fasciitis.The aponeurosis is attached to the bone, and with time the pulling causes the bone to start getting irritated and begin to lay down new bone to try and shorten that gap. This ends up being a heel spur. It takes a long time to get to this point. A lot of people have heel spurs and don't even know it, most of the time they have no symptoms. But in some people they are holy hell. Especially when they branch off and cause extra little spurs as in your case.
Yes heel spurs can be removed surgically, I have seen a few people who have had them removed, not many. Most of the time cortisone shots, combined with an ibuprofen regime (3 times a day for at least a month) as well as orthotics or shoe modifications will resolve the issue.
If you ask my advice, I would say do not go with foot surgery. Foot surgery has a notoriously low success rate. I would exhaust ever other treatment first

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B.S.

answers from Boston on

I'm a runner and had one on my heel, it was very painful. From altering my foot strike I ended up with a stress fracture in my forefoot. I wore a walking boot for 8 weeks to heal the fracture and the heel spur completely went away as well. It's been close to a year and I've been pain free and back to running.

I would ask for a cortisone shot and a walking boot...or at least the walking boot, it took the pressure off my heel bone and allowed it to heal and even walk (with the boot) pain free. It's not the most attractive thing to wear but who cares if it works!

4 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

My podiatrist showed me how to make a donut out of the bandage. The donut hole was where the spur is located. This stopped the rubbing and pain almost instantly. That was over 20 years ago and I haven't had a problem since. My podiatrist also told me not to let anyone operate on my feet.

3 moms found this helpful
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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi AL,

Bone spurs can be treated without surgery. Of course, it will take longer but it would be my preference over surgery. Bone Spurs are caused by malabsorption. The body needs to start absorbing properly so they won't get worse and the calcium that has deposited on the bone can be reabsorbed into the blood stream and the bones properly. Magnesium, calcium and Vitamin C are critical. Betaine HCL can be used to help the digestion process. Betaine HCL mimics stomach acid and breaks down food so that it can be absorbed. I take an absorbable multivitamin. (Most don't absorb) I had 15 kidney stones over 30 years because I didn't know that calcium could and would not absorb properly. I now have absolutely no problem.

I can get more specific if you want to go this route. It worked for me.

Regards,
M.

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P.K.

answers from New York on

I had bone spurs removed from other part of foot it was huge success. That being said, heels are completely different and I would do anything I could to avoid surgery. Think you have gotten good suggestions.

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S.F.

answers from Phoenix on

I have heel spurs so I understand your pain. I saw a great podiatrist and got cortisone injections, orthotic inserts and good sneakers. I went to a running store where they spent an hour with me watching how I walk and talking about my feet issues. I left with an amazing pair of shoes that feel great. I stopped walking barefoot. Lastly, I lost weight. 20 lbs made a difference and the foot pain has motivated me to keep the weight off. After years of hobbling around, I'm finally pain free!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Seattle on

I have and had a very long bone spur. It was a size that historically would have readily been considered for surgery many years ago. My PT told me that bone spur operations were not very successful, for many reasons. The main reason I recall today is that it takes so long for our extremities to heal, and heels are notorious for healing poorly.

So regular old fashioned therapy is the best answer. See a physical therapist and follow their advice to a T for a few months. It worked for me:

Here's what mine did: ASTYM, ice, rest - stay off of your foot, Esoles - a custom orthotic that I wore 24-7 for months.

1 mom found this helpful
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