Bone Spurs: What Are They & Do They Require Surgery?

If you’ve ever noticed small “lumps” or bones on the top of your foot or on the back of your foot, you might be alarmed at first. These lumps or random bones are called bone spurs.

What are Bone Spurs?

As previously mentioned, bone spurs are small fragments of bone that may form as a response to stress, or due to underlying factors like age, injury, or heredity. While bone spurs can be found anywhere on the body, they are commonly found on the foot due to the amount of stress that’s put on the bones and muscles every day.

Bone spurs can be painful to the touch, impeding day-to-day activity, or they can be completely benign. Regardless, if they develop anywhere on your body, you should contact a physician immediately.

How Do They Form?

Well, to put it simply, bone spurs form on your feet as a natural response to deteriorating joints. According to the physicians at Triad Foot & Ankle Center, when your joints are put under a lot of stress, your body reacts by creating more bone in an attempt to make the joints stable. They can also form on the heel as a reaction to the tendon attaching to the bone.

Treatment of Bone Spurs

Bone spurs can be treated by eliminating stress on your body. This could mean limiting physical activity. Additional treatment options include physical therapy to build strength in the surrounding muscles, over-the-counter pain relievers, and corticosteroid injections. If necessary, surgery may be an option.

If you suspect bone spurs have formed on your foot, the experts at Triad Foot and Ankle Center recommend scheduling an appointment with a podiatrist for an evaluation. Click here to schedule an appointment online or call 336-275-6990.