Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. Last updated April 2026.

Bone spurs (osteophytes) on the foot are an extremely common radiographic finding — but they are also one of the most misunderstood. Many patients are told their heel pain is caused by a bone spur and that the spur must be removed, when in most cases the spur is a bystander rather than the culprit. Understanding what spurs are, where they occur, and when they actually need treatment helps patients make informed decisions about their foot care. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Southeast Michigan, Dr. Tom Biernacki provides evidence-based guidance on foot bone spurs based on clinical findings rather than X-ray appearances alone.

What Are Bone Spurs?

A bone spur is a bony outgrowth that develops in response to chronic stress at a tendon or ligament attachment point (enthesophyte), within a joint (articular osteophyte from arthritis), or at sites of bony impingement. The body lays down extra bone as a response to chronic tension or mechanical stress — bone spurs are essentially the skeleton’s attempt to reinforce a stressed attachment. They are extremely common with aging and in people with active lifestyles, and are visible on plain X-rays.

Common Locations of Foot Bone Spurs

Heel spur (plantar calcaneal enthesophyte): The most commonly discussed spur — a forward-pointing bony projection on the plantar surface of the calcaneus at the plantar fascia origin. Present in approximately 15–20% of the population. The critical point: studies show that plantar heel spurs are equally common in people with and without heel pain. The spur itself rarely causes pain — the inflamed plantar fascia at the insertion site causes the pain. Treatment targets the fascia, not the spur. Posterior heel spur (Haglund’s deformity): A prominent bony bump on the posterosuperior calcaneus that causes shoe-counter impingement and retrocalcaneal bursitis. This spur is more directly symptomatic than the plantar spur. Dorsal foot spurs (midfoot osteophytes): Articular osteophytes from midfoot arthritis at the tarsometatarsal or talonavicular joints create a painful bony prominence on the top of the foot, aggravated by shoe lacing and dorsiflexion. Big toe joint spur (hallux rigidus): Dorsal osteophytes at the 1st MTP joint limit big toe dorsiflexion and cause pain with push-off.

When Does a Spur Need Treatment?

A spur visible on X-ray does not require treatment in the absence of symptoms attributable to it. For plantar heel spurs, treatment is directed at the plantar fasciitis — stretching, orthotics, physical therapy, shockwave — not the spur itself. For Haglund’s deformity creating shoe irritation and bursitis, conservative management with Achilles stretching, heel lift, and open-back footwear is first-line; surgical resection of the prominent posterosuperior calcaneal prominence is reserved for refractory cases. Dorsal midfoot osteophytes are treated with shoe modification (lower tongue, looser lacing) and orthotics; surgical exostectomy (removal of the bony prominence) is performed when conservative measures fail. Hallux rigidus spurs are addressed by cheilectomy (surgical removal of dorsal osteophytes) when they limit toe dorsiflexion despite shoe modification and orthotics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bone spurs shouldn’t determine your treatment — your symptoms should. Contact Balance Foot & Ankle for an accurate assessment with Dr. Biernacki in Southeast Michigan.

Bone Spur Treatment in Michigan

Foot bone spurs can cause significant pain with every step. Our podiatrists offer both conservative management and surgical removal when needed.

View Our Treatment Options | Book Your Appointment | Call (810) 206-1402

Clinical References

1. Menz HB, et al. Foot pain and disability: the North West Adelaide Health Study. J Foot Ankle Res. 2008;1:2.
2. Moroney PJ, et al. Heel spur and plantar fasciitis: a retrospective review. Foot Ankle Surg. 2014;20(3):174-178.
3. Johal KS, Milner SA. Plantar fasciitis and the calcaneal spur: fact or fiction? Foot Ankle Surg. 2012;18(1):39-41.

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.