Blog, Heel Pain, Shockwave, Sports Care
If you’ve read this far you most likely have Heel Pain…. good guess right! If you have heel pain and you are serious about getting better it’s time to take action.
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Blog, Heel Pain

Think you have a heel spur? Think again
There’s a myriad mystery and misinformation about heel spurs. Just the thought alone of having a hard protruding growth on the bottom of the heel is more than a little alarming — but really, it needn’t be.
What is a heel spur?
“A heel spur is a small bony growth at the underside of the heel bone. People call it a spur or a calcification. We might also call it an exostosis (a benign outgrowth of cartilaginous tissue),” explains sports podiatrist and founder of A Step Ahead Foot + Ankle Care Dr Brenden Brown.
“Heel spurs are incredibly common. I see it in about 40-50% of the x-rays I perform. “However, the vast majority of people with heel spurs experience NO PAIN whatsoever.
“In all of the time I have been a podiatrist (which is 20 plus years) I have seen two symptomatic heel spurs. I’ve seen lots of heel spurs but only two that have ever presented with associated pain.
“So if we talk about the signs of symptoms of heel spurs there aren’t really any apart from having a large bony or hard nodule on the underside of the heel pad that doesn’t feel the same as the other foot and cannot be depressed (pushed or squashed).
“99% of people who come to me saying they have pain from a heel spur do not have pain as a result of a spur.
“A heel spur won’t bother you unless it’s prominent beneath your foot and the orientation of the spur is angled more towards the ground; this could cause some pain and discomfort. However, I’ve read about these types of spurs but I’ve never even seen one. Not in 20 years of practicing.”

5 heel spur facts
- Your pain is most likely not caused by a heel spur
The vast array of people with heel spurs have NEVER HAD A DAY OF PAIN in their life
- Heel spur pain doesn’t come and go like a yo-yo
In those very rare cases where people do have a heel spur that’s causing them pain—the pain doesn’t come and go.
“If you have a friend who tells you they had a heel spur and the pain went away you have to ask yourself ‘where did that pain go?’ The pain of a heel spur isn’t like the cast of Neighbours – it doesn’t travel from Melbourne to Queensland to get a job and never return!”
- Silica won’t cure a heel spur
“People have told me they took silica and it miraculously dissolves their spur. I have to ask these patients ‘how on earth did the silica dissolve your bony spur but manage to leave the rest of the foot in tact. How did it not also dissolve the frontal lobe of your skull?”
- No operation needed
Even if you do have a heel spur, which most of the time is an incidental finding on an x-ray, you don’t need an operation to remove it.
- Cortisone won’t help your heel pain
For most people cortisone is useless in treating heel pain. In fact, studies have shown that after three months 56% of people who were having cortisone injections for their heel pain had zero reduction in pain.
If it’s not a heel spur — what is causing my pain?
Heel pain can be caused by a variety of other reasons including: plantar fasciitis, plantar fasciosis, abductor hallucis strain or tibialis posterior tendinosis.
If you are suffering from heel pain, be sure to visit your local podiatrist but don’t be fooled into automatically thinking that it’s a heel spur—it’s highly likely that it’s not!
Related articles:
10 things you should know about heel pain
A Step Ahead Foot + Ankle Care is one of Sydney’s leading foot and ankle clinics. Principal podiatrist and founder of A Step Ahead Dr Brenden Brown (AKA Dr Foot) has been taking care of people’s feet for more than 20 years.
With a background in sports medicine and having served as a former president of the Australasian Podiatry Council, Brenden is a wealth of information when it comes to foot and ankle care.
Got a question? Check out our Instagram profile #AskDrFoot
Or, tune into our Facebook page for regular live videos and updates on the latest foot and ankle advice from the experts.
Blog, Heel Pain

10 things you should know about heel pain
Heel pain is common but that doesn’t make it any less painful or less frustrating to live with. While the causes of heel pain can vary, the most popular culprit is a condition called plantar fasciitis (also referred to as heel pain and runner’s heel).
There are many cases of misunderstood heel pain—either because a proper diagnosis hasn’t been sought or the incorrect information has been given out. With a myriad of myths circulating about heel pain, it’s essential to get the right advice.
10 things you should know about heel pain
Bruising isn’t always the cause
“Heel pain is commonly linked to a bruised heel; but in fact an over-stretching of the fibrous tissue in the foot causes plantar fasciitis. It can also be incorrectly diagnosed as heel spurs or achilles tendonitis,” says podiatrist and founder of A Step Ahead Foot + Ankle Care Dr Brenden Brown.
Rest is not the best treatment
Rather than seeking professional help, many people suffering from heel pain will ignore their condition—hoping rest and time will cure it. If left untreated plantar fasciitis can last years.
Ignoring heel pain can lead to other health concerns
Untreated plantar fasciitis can further aggravate the foot, resulting in increased swelling. It can also lead to other medical problems affecting the hips, back and knees.

Barefoot is not best
Going barefoot might seem like the natural thing to do but walking around without shoes puts additional strain on the plantar fascia—particularly first thing in the morning, when the muscles and tissues are tight.
Cushioning offers comfort but not a cure
People commonly opt for a foam or silicone heel cushioning as a treatment for heel pain. Yes, this might provide some temporary comfort, but it won’t cure the condition.
Not all orthotics are equal
Hard, rigid orthotics are not only uncomfortable, they will do nothing for your foot pain. They might actually cause you more pain. Soft pliable orthotics are designed to support the foot while allowing the natural movement. However, orthotics alone won’t heel your feet pain. Talk to one of our podiatrist about the best orthotics and the different therapies that can help rehabilitate damaged tissue.
Fancy footwear isn’t always the answer
Thongs, trendy trainers or even fancy footwear with special arches won’t cure heel pain. Yet choice of shoe is important. A shoe that has a firm shell and a small amount of structured cushioning works best. The shoe should NEVER bend in the middle. Before heading out to pick up a new pair of shoes, chat to one of our podiatrists to get the right advice—as well as a detailed solution that includes other treatment options.
Injections aren’t the only option
Cortisone injections can be painful and evidence suggests they don’t work. In fact, one study showed that 3 months after having a cortisone injection more than 55% of people had the same pain. Another study revealed that injections of saline and cortisone both gave exactly the same result!
Heel pain can be prevented
Prevention is always the best cure and there are a number of ways to help ward off heel pain including:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Stretching before exercising and wearing appropriate footwear with supportive heels and shock-absorbent soles
- Avoiding wearing ill-fitting and second-hand shoes
- Avoiding going barefoot
Plantar fasciitis can be cured
The first step towards treatment should be a proper diagnosis from a podiatrist. The best approach to heel pain should be a multi-pronged plan that might include orthotics, professional advice and therapy, such as shockwave treatment.
To find out more about plantar fasciitis visit: heelpaindoctor.com.au or to obtain a diagnosis contact A Step Ahead Foot + Ankle Care today.
A Step Ahead Foot + Ankle Care is one of Sydney’s leading foot and ankle clinics. Principal podiatrist and founder of A Step Ahead Dr Brenden Brown (AKA Dr Foot) has been taking care of people’s feet for more than 20 years. With a background in sports medicine and having served as a former president of the Australasian Podiatry Council, Brenden is a wealth of information when it comes to foot and ankle care.
You might also be interested in our Facebook live sessions:
5 Myths about heel pain
6 reasons your heel pain is NOT getting better
Strength exercises to beat and prevent heel pain
Or head over to Coach Nine to hear what else Dr Brenden has to say about heel pain.