Bone spur treatment

Bone spurs are calcium deposits that occur along the edges of bones or where two or more bones meet. Often, bone spurs can go undetected and undiagnosed for years, as they may not cause any side effects or pain. However, if your bone spurs are causing pain or forcing you to make changes to your day-to-day routine, you may need to seek medical treatment. To help you better understand how bone spurs may impact your life, we’ll discuss how they’re diagnosed, their causes and symptoms, and the available treatment options.

Diagnosing and treating bone spurs at Arizona Foot Doctors in Scottsdale

If you’re experiencing pain in your foot or ankle that doesn’t go away with time, it’s a good idea to speak to a podiatrist about your issues. At Arizona Foot Doctors, our podiatrists are dedicated to helping you manage your bone spur foot treatment. Once you arrive for your appointment, one of our doctors will carefully examine your foot and joints to determine the pain’s specific location. This may involve some light touching of your joints to pinpoint where the potential bone spur has occurred.

We will also assess your range of motion during your appointment to better understand how debilitating the pain has become. Typically, an X-ray or other imaging test is also required to confirm whether bone spurs are present. Once the condition is diagnosed, our doctors and staff will formulate a care plan that fits your lifestyle, immediate needs, and concerns. Your treatment may include a mixture of exercises, physical therapy, foot braces, custom foot orthotics, and — if absolutely necessary — surgery.

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We provide treatment that fits your symptoms, lifestyle, and immediate needs

At Arizona Foot Doctors, we understand that not everyone has the need, time, or tolerance for bone spur surgery. Luckily, there are plenty of non-surgical options to help treat the condition and its symptoms when it comes to bone spurs. Depending on your lifestyle and immediate needs, we’ll formulate a plan that includes one, some, or all of the following treatment options:

  • Daily stretching exercises
  • Improved diet and low-impact exercise
  • Heat and ice therapy
  • New shoes that fit properly
  • Night splints
  • Over-the-counter pain medications
  • Regular physical therapy
  • Shoe inserts or other orthotic devices to alleviate pressure on your foot
  • Walking boots

To help alleviate the pain and encourage rest in the muscles and tendons stressed by bone spurs, taping or strapping may also be an option. These treatments use adhesive bandages or medical tape to help secure and stabilize the painful joint or area. They are common ankle bone spur treatments, as they allow the joint to have some mobility. With this treatment, you’re still able to carry on with your daily routine while the affected area gets the support it needs, reducing pain and preventing further injury. If you’re overweight, lowering weight will help reduce the amount of pressure put on your joints.

Doctor comparing patient's foot with an x-ray of bone spurs
Gentle evaluation to understand your pain and the best treatment option(s)
Reduced swelling, pain, and discomfort through conservative treatments
Conservative approach to fit your lifestyle and scheduling needs
Follows preventative best-practices to avoid pain in the future.

Bone spur treatment FAQs

The most common cause of bone spurs is joint damage from osteoarthritis. This form of arthritis can destroy the cartilage that helps cushion the ends of your bones. As your body tries to repair this damage, it compensates by producing extra bone in the form of calcium deposits.

Osteoarthritis, however, is not the sole cause of bone spurs. Other causes can also lead to the growth of calcium deposits:

  • Age
  • Dancing
  • General exercising
  • Foot injuries
  • Obesity
  • Running
  • Wearing tight shoes

The most likely location of bone spurs is on the top of the middle of your foot. They can also grow on your toes, heels, ankles, or other joints. Learn more about the causes of different bone spurs.

Not all bone spurs exhibit symptoms, so you can have one and not realize it. If this is the case, you likely won’t require further treatment. However, over time, bone spurs may begin to show some common symptoms. If you experience any of the below symptoms, call Arizona Foot Doctors right away to schedule your appointment:

  • Corns
  • Difficulty standing
  • Limited joint mobility
  • Pain when walking or moving
  • Redness
  • Soreness
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling

The amount of pain will vary from person to person. In some cases, the pain will continue to worsen until you seek treatment. If the pain lingers for more than a month or grows quickly in intensity, this is a sign that a podiatrist needs to examine you immediately. Speak with our team of experts at Arizona Foot Doctors who are always ready to assist you and to identify your foot pain condition.

Yes — there are measures you can take to prevent bone spurs. If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, it will be challenging to avoid bone spurs. The best way to lower your odds of developing bone spurs is to keep a healthy weight and reduce pressure on your joints. You should also make sure that you’re wearing the right shoes for your feet — this means shoes that aren’t too small or tight. If you have fallen arches, you should buy and wear an insole that provides support for your arches.

Yes — bone spurs can develop on almost any bone or at the point where two or more bones meet. Knees, hips, and the spine are also common places for bone spurs to grow. The most common symptoms for bone spurs in each of these places are pain and loss of mobility. Bone spurs are more likely to grow in these places if you have osteoarthritis. If you’re concerned about a bone spur growing on another part of your body, we encourage you to speak with your primary care physician.

To help evaluate your pain and the potential cause of the bone spur, your podiatrist will ask you several questions:

  • What are your symptoms, and how long have you been experiencing them?
  • If you’re in pain, how severe is it?
  • Are you having any issues moving the affected joints?
  • Have the symptoms caused you to alter your daily routine?
  • What treatments have you tried at home, and have any of them helped?
  • How often do you exercise?

Find bone spur relief without surgery with help from our podiatry experts in Scottsdale

At Arizona Foot Doctors, we want you to feel confident that we’re offering the best care possible for you and your family. We offer modern yet conservative treatments to avoid surgery while helping you reduce symptoms and continue your normal, day-to-day life. We take time during each visit to answer all your questions so you can feel informed and not merely diagnosed. Our podiatrists will discuss all the treatment options and go over the advantages of each one.

If you’re experiencing pain in your foot and ankle, we want to help. Request an appointment with us today so we can explore your treatment options and help get you back on your feet.