Patients complaining of pain in one of the heels or back of the foot often return from the doctor's office with a diagnosis of the Calcaneal spur.

The technical name for heel bone is Calcaneus, which is one of the foot bones. Spur means a bony projection. (Spur has different meanings.)

When there is a bony projection of the heel bone (Calcaneal spur), the patient will face difficulty with movements. This disease is more frequently observed in females.

The symptoms arise due to the friction of the spur with the bone and other soft tissues. There will be poky or stitching pain. The pain can be very severe for many. The pain could be more severe. Most patients may present with the pain while initial making steps, especially while getting up from bed in the morning. The friction leads to inflammation or swelling.

An x-ray will show the bony Calcaneal spur very clearly. Plantar fascistic is a related condition.

It is a bony projection that is a mechanical problem, which may require surgical removal if it is very large and if the symptoms do not reduce with medicines. Avoidance of wearing high heels is recommended in all cases. Conventionally, the patients are treated with painkillers or periodical injection of cortisone in the affected region.