Why Are My Feet and Toes Peeling?
If you’ve noticed that the skin on your feet and toes keeps peeling, it’s time to figure out why. It could be as simple as using more moisturizer, or you might have an actual condition.
Finding Relief From Painful Bone Spurs on Your Toes and Feet
Bone spurs are small, bony protrusions that grow slowly. Approximately 1 in 10 people has a bone spur on their heel, but they can form almost anywhere — including your toes, ankles, and the tops of your feet.
About half the time, bone spurs don’t cause pain, and you may not even know you have one. In other cases, bone spurs can lead to chronic foot pain that ranges from a constant dull ache to sharp pain when you stand.
If you have painful heel spurs or bone spurs, it’s time to find treatment. The expert team at Concord Podiatry in Concord and Plymouth, New Hampshire, led by Dr. David E. Biss, can help.
Here’s what they want you to know about bone spurs, prevention, and treatment.
Understanding bone spurs
As the name implies, bone spurs are sharp protrusions that develop on the bones. They are calcium deposits that build up slowly over time, typically over several months.
Heel spurs and bone spurs vary in size and shape. They can grow as large as half an inch long and are often found near joints in the toes and feet. Although the causes vary, bone spurs usually develop as a result of repetitive stress and damage from joint conditions like osteoarthritis.
Some possible causes of bone spurs include:
- Weight struggles
- Foot muscle or ligament strain
- Osteoarthritis in your feet
- Running on hard surfaces
- Spending long periods standing
- Poorly-fitting shoes
The way you walk could also increase your risk of bone spurs. Some gait abnormalities put more stress on your heel bone and the nerves and ligaments in your foot, which could make bone spurs more likely.
Finding relief from bone spur pain
If you have heel or foot pain, it’s time to schedule a podiatrist appointment. Dr. Bliss
performs comprehensive foot exams to identify and diagnose the cause of your pain. He diagnoses bone spurs with an exam and medical imaging, like X-rays.
Bone spurs are treatable, and we develop a treatment plan based on your symptoms, age, preexisting health conditions, and lifestyle. More than 90% of people with painful bone spurs find that their symptoms resolve with conservative treatments like:
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Orthotic shoe inserts
- Physical therapy
- Stretching
- Taping or splinting
Dr. Bliss works with you to find a combination of treatments that effectively relieves your pain. If you find that conservative care isn’t enough, he may recommend surgery to remove the painful bone spur.
Bone spurs are small, but the pain can keep you from living an active lifestyle. Find ways to relieve your foot pain with an appointment. Call the office nearest you today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Biss.
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