A bone spur is a boney projection along a normal bone. Most people think a bone spur is something sharp, but that is usually not the case because it is just an extra bone and can be quite smooth most of the time. Even though it can be smooth, it leads to trouble when it presses or rubs on other bones as well as soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments, or nerves in the body. A bone spur on top of your footis quite a common condition, but spurs can appear anywhere in your skeletal system.

What Causes Bone Spur on Top of Foot?

There can be a number of different causes behind a bone spur. Here are a few for your understanding.

1. Age

You may develop a bone spur as you grow old. Spurs on your foot are usually the outcome of excessive stress, pressure, or rubbing of the area over extended periods. You may also experience the same situation when the cartilage begins to wear off due to the aging process. This usually leads to joint pain because there is no cushion between bones.

2. Activities

You may develop a bone spur on top of foot due to dancing, running, or any other activity that puts stress and pressure on the foot. These activities lead to trauma and you end up dealing with spurs.

3. Footwear

Not wearing comfortable shoes may as well be a reason behind the development of spurs. You need to ensure that your shoes are not too tight and are not the wrong shape or else repetitive friction will cause trauma on your feet.

4. Injury

Anything from a serious fracture of the bone to minor bruising can lead to the buildup of calcium that may appear as spurs.

Symptoms of Bone Spur on Top of Foot

In most cases, you do not experience any symptoms at the very beginning. You notice problems when bone spurs start rubbing on nerves, muscles, or other bones. This leads to stiffness, pain, and numbness. Bone spurs may occur on other areas of your body, but they are usually most noticeable on top of foot. You may also notice a bone spur in the finger joints – that is mainly because the skin here is quite thin. If you experience pain, this may result to immobility of the foot. Your foot may swell and turn red and tender. It is hard to wear shoes or walk with a swollen foot. Be sure to talk to your doctor if swelling persists, because early treatment can slow the joint damage.

What Can You Do to Treat Bone Spur on Top of Foot?

You do not need any treatment for a bone spur, especially when there is no pain or any damage to surrounding tissues. Here are some treatment options for cases when pain or swelling is severe.

1. Apply Icepack

You can apply an icepack on the affected joint 4-5 times a day to reduce the inflammation. Consider applying a heating pad if icepacks do not work. Taking alternate hot and cold baths will also help keep inflammation under control.

2. Use Herb

Several herbs prove beneficial in relieving pain caused by these bone spurs. Take some linseed oil and warm it up a bit. Now, soak cheesecloth in it and then place it over your affected area. Use plastic to cover the cloth. Now, take a heating pad and place it over your affected area for a couple of hours. You may also consider having 500-1500mg of curcuma thrice a day to relieve pain – be sure to have it on an empty stomach.

3. Take Pain Relievers

You can take pain relievers to control your pain. If regular painkillers do not work, you may consider discussing it with your doctor for a prescription. In some cases, your doctor may recommend getting a corticosteroid injection to help manage pain better.

4. Lose Some Weight

You may consider joining a weight loss program to lower your body weight, which in turn will lower any pressure exerted on your affected bones. This will help reduce pain, especially if you have problems like osteoarthritis or plantar fasciitis.

5. Change Footwear

Change your shoes immediately if they are not comfortable. Regular use of ill-fitting shoes will lead to the development of your bone spur on top of foot. In some cases, making small adjustments like using a shoe insert may help set things right.

6. Do Not Ignore the Corn

Never overlook the importance of treating calluses and corn on the foot. Talk to your doctor immediately to find a treatment. This will ease your pain and discomfort on your foot.

7. Consider Surgery

When other treatment options do not work, your doctor may ask you to have a surgery. Bone spurs are among the most common reasons behind foot surgery. It is usually considered when conservative care fails to produce any results. If you have bone spurs on your toes, your doctor may remove it through minimal incision procedures, which involve making a small incision above the bone spur and using a high-powered drill to remove the spur. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is usually quite safe.