Question:
Do your heel spurs go away after you lose weight post op?

I've had heel spurs for 15+ years. I've had the cortisone shots, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc. Still the pain persisted. At almost 3 months post op, the pain in my heels is letting up a little, but I was wondering....does the pain ever go away completely? It hurts go get my daily walk in but the energy level achieved after the walking is worth the pain in the feet. I'm just wondering if the pain or the spurs themselves will ever go away. Thanks AMOS family.    — Annie H. (posted on January 19, 2002)

January 18, 2002
Mine have completely disappeared. Until someone asked this question a few days ago I had forgotten about them and all of the years of cortisone shots.
   — DeeDubbs

January 18, 2002
Yes they can! My right foot had a real bad one, that improved a lot after a knee injury and 6 months of being unable to walk much. Basically sat on my backside untill recoverd from knee surgery. It botherd me a little for the last 3 years but wasnt too bad. About a month post op, with me walking miles a day it went away, along with my knee pain that ached for years. Perhaps the weight loss and increased activity helped, I dont know but I am pain free from these irritants for the first time in 5 years. Unfortunately my back still hurts, mostly late in the day. my PCP says it should get better once my body adapts to the loss. Down 113 pounds in 6 months it hasnt caught up.
   — bob-haller

January 19, 2002
I don't know if they'll go away, but I have a suggestion. Try Tuli's heel cups. I have used them for years and they work great. You can get them at a medical supply store, or type in Tuli's heel cups into your search engine and buy them online. They cost about $12 so it's worth a try.
   — Kathleen C.

January 19, 2002
Know what? I never even thought about my heel spurs until you asked this question. I haven't had a problem with them since about 3 months after surgery. Weird huh? Guess that the weight loss puts less stress on them and I don't even know if I have them anymore but they sure don't bother me and it's been 3 years.
   — Barbara H.

January 19, 2002
Funny, the things you start thinking about when someone asks. Not only has my 'plantar fascitis' gotten MUCH better.. but the bursitis I had in my shoulders seems to have almost disappeared as well. Hubby thinks that so much fluid retention that I had was aggravating these conditions. All I know is.. I'm 6 weeks post-op.. and things are LOOKING and FEELING better EVERY DAY..!!!!
   — Diane E.

January 19, 2002
No the heel spurs do NOT go away. Heel spurs are a deposit that is formed in your heel, losing weight does not make them disappear. However, the pain goes away as you don't have as much weight bearing down on the spur.
   — [Anonymous]