Can a Bone Spur on Feet Be Removed Without Surgery?

It is very common to get #BoneSpurs in our feet. We can get bone spurs on our heel bone called heel spurs, we can get bone spurs on the top of our feet that cause some pain or pressure in the shoes, but the question I often get asked is, is there a way to get rid of bone spurs without surgery?

Hi. I'm #HoustonPodiatrist, Dr. Andrew Schneider. Bone spurs are one of those things that just kind of jump out at you. If I see someone who has this bump on top of their foot and we'll take an X-ray and there it is. Why does a bone spur occur? A bone spur occurs because of extra tension on the bone. You see, bone has a property where when there's tension on it, instead of breaking it lays down new bone. It's called Wolff's law, and that enables the soft tissue to stay intact and attached. What it does is it forms this shelf for this point of bone in the area of that tension.

You also may notice it in areas of a joint that was jammed. Very common on the top of the foot for that reason or even the top of the great toe joint we'll see a bone spur form there. Can you take care of a bone spur without surgery? Well, not every bone spur needs to be operated on. Sometimes we're able to work with anti-inflammatory medication, whether it be a topical medication or whether it be a cortisone injection to take away the pain associated with a bone spur.

It's not going to take away the spur itself but it will take away the pain. If it takes it away for long enough, then that's all you need, but if you find that it keeps coming back then, yes, surgery is the other option for treating a bone spur. The good news is, surgery is not that bad. We go in, identify the bone spur, remove it, and suture you closed and you're able to bear weight immediately after, in most cases, and it's a pretty straightforward recovery.

If you find that you do have a bump on top of your foot or you have a bone spur, no matter where it is on your foot or your ankle, to give us a call. We'll take an x-ray, we'll look at it together, and we'll come up with a plan as to what the best course of action is for you.

00:00 Introduction
00:40 Why Does a Bone Spur on Feet Occur?
01:12 Where do you find a bone spur on the feet?
01:26 Can you treat a bone spur without surgery?
01:53 When you may need surgery for a bone spur on your feet?
02:35 How to contact Houston podiatrist Dr. Andrew Schneider

[ceciliapreziose]

I have bone spur and limped for 4 months. Went to a podiatrist, orthoctics and stretching calf did the trick in about three days!!!!

[msmglae]

I had to go to the ER yesterday evening… it was some of the worst pain I’ve ever felt.. I literally couldn’t put any pressure on my right foot.. took XRAYs and I have bone spurs in my foot..

[br]

Try putting castor oil on affected area

[sandibeach]

How long does it take to recover and go back to work after surgery?

[sheri]

Dr. Andrew might you answer a question?

Is anesthesia necessary to remove a small bone growth? I don't want general anesthesia or an epidural.... I want to stay awake and no needles in my spine, and have the most minimally invasive procedure possible, but the growth must be reduced, there's no doubt about that part. Is a procedure to remove a little bone something that can be done in the office?

If I must have surgery, are there other numbing options so I can stay awake?

Thank you for anything you can share. I wrote the history of my foot issue below, but I don't assume you need, or have time to read it.


For 4 years now, I have excess growth - I assume bone- under the skin of my second toe. It causes the toe to constantly rub against the big toe, it's always hot and sore and intermittently gets infected from the ever present, small wound from the constant rubbing; I take good care of it, but it must be removed, I can barely wear shoes anymore. It is likely the result of major foot surgery 35 years ago compounded by aging/arthritic changes.

By the time I was 21 I had hammer toes and bunions from ill fitting shoes as a kid and likely a genetic predisposition for bad feet, they straightened out the hammer toes and bunions, had pins put pins in 8 of my toes- the surgery and healing was great). Now that I'm aging there are several bone growths on my feet but with this one, I've been in pain the past 4 years and deal with intermittent infections from the skin of the toes constantly rubbing; I can't wear closed toe shoes any more- it's become a huge problem in my life now.

[travelingwithnehavaidya]

Hi Sir, I am from India.My mom is suffering from bone spur in ankel. If I share her X-ray with you, could you provide some guidance on that.
Thanks in advance.

[cinsationalcinema]

I have a large bone spur growing on the center part of back of my heel. Like where the bursa sac is located. The bone spur started growing from the center to the inside portion of my foot. It hurts like a mofo when I touch it. I have been wearing Birkenstock sandals the past few months, cuz I can’t do shoes anymore for now. I hope it shrinks or something causes the pain to reduce

[cappy]

Looking for possible minimal invasive surgery for this problem. I heard it can be done that way.

[mouhi]

I was wondering how long does the recovery after the operation lasts?

[onlychild]

How do you fix bone growth near knee cap ?
My husband has a bone like coming out of underneath the knee cap. Thanks

[mariorico]

Does the bone spur grows back after surgery?

[revivalist]

Hello Dr Andrew, I have developed some hard bone like lump beneath the skin of my plantar surface of foot. It developed because I used to run on hard surface without proper running shoes. It's painless but very uncomfortable walking bare foot because I feel like like am stepping on marble . Kindly reply. Thank you

[ericsager]

HI What about 20 under the toes on both feet.?

[tanvirmfx]

I have retrocalcaneal bursitis on my right heal. It's making terrible pain while working. Excercise, iboprufen, cortision injection everything I have done. But nothing helped me. Please show me proper guide line to treat this spur and pain.

[techstermb]

Is shockwave therapy helpful for bone spurs? I have a bone spur on my little toe on my right foot. It almost looks as though the spur is an extension of the toenail ... it sticks out further than a regular toe nail.

[unicornzrbae]

So, I “sprained” my ankle twice, got X-rays done and 2 bone or cartilage pieces are under my ankle, and making it hurt, I also have two bones closer to eachother than usual with no cartilage in between. I don’t wanna get surgery because I have medical anxiety and a fear of needles, any tips? Because I’m stressed

[honkymonkey]

I got rid of a bone spur on my hand by taking serrapeptase.

[beckymosbey]

I went to a M.D. who is an orthopedic surgeon with a speciality in podiatry for my metatarsal cuneiform exotosis. He didn’t want to do surgery because he said it would eventually need to be fused. It’s getting much worse and I think it’s pressing on a nerve. I’m confused about what can be done.

[MegaLuckyy]

I’m 10 almost 11 now and I have a bone spur around my ankle, and I love to play soccer
Will this affect me? And how will it affect me? Because I love sports and I want to play again soon, Thanks.

[nmathembankomo]

Hi I have an extra bone on top of my foot and its painful sometimes so much that I can not wear a shoe for a longtime, when I wake up in the morning the foot is so painful when walking, I have been to the doctor several times but no help and I was told that even in my toes its there