What causes bone spurs & WHAT can I do about them?

I am troubled by a bone spur in my left heel. I had no such trouble until shortly after I went through chemo. I blame the chemo for breaking down my body & thus somehow causing the bone spur.

Does anyone know the cause, & are there any home remedies for this? Sometimes it just aches & feels like I'm walking on a pebble all the time!
Thanks!

Answer:

Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are bony projections that grow along the edges of joints. The bone spurs themselves aren't painful. But they can rub against nearby nerves and bones and cause pain.

Bone spurs are often associated with osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage of an affected joint is worn down and eventually you may have bone rubbing on bone, resulting in pain and inflammation. Your body may try to repair this damage by growing new bone (bone spurs) along the existing bone. This produces prominent lumps, usually on the hands, feet or spine.

There's no specific treatment for bone spurs. Treatment is typically directed at the underlying problem to prevent further joint damage.

firstly chemotherapy probably would not cause the bone spur itself, however if you were hospitalized or spent a lot of time laying down certain muscles can get tight and exert more pull on the bony insertions; bone spurs form due to excessive pull on the bone at the attachment of a ligament or a tendon, in your case it maybe an attachment of plantar fascia at the bottom of your heal, I'd see a podiatrist or an orthopedic physical therapist who can in depth evaluate your foot and recommend an appropriate treatment which could range from stretching your calf muscles, strengthening your arch muscles orputting inserts in your shoes, sometimes ultrasound helps as well .