Surgery for Bone Spur on Top of Foot

Bone spur is a small bony projection, which is caused due to the overgrowth of the bone. This is also known as an osteophyte. Though it is a very small projection, it can cause intense pain due to the friction of the bone with the tendons and muscles of the foot, which may further lead to difficulty in walking and performing daily activities. There are many treatments which can help you get rid of the bone spur on the foot and if there is no improvement then the last option is surgery. Surgery for bone spur on top of foot is quite effective, but it can also have some complications and side effects. Here, we will discuss
various procedure of bone spur surgery and its complications.

Causes and Symptoms of Bone Spur on Top of Foot

A bone spur is just a tiny bone projection which may be caused due to many reasons. Some of the most common causes of bone spur on top of foot are as follows.

• Aging is one of the most common causes of bone spur on the foot or any part of the body. Due to aging, the bones and cartilage start getting weak which may cause many problems. Hence, in order to support these bones and cartilages, the body starts forming extra bones in the form of bone spur. These bone spurs may be painful but sometimes they are helpful and painless.
• Overweight and obese people usually face this problem which may be a result of excess pressure. This may indicate the bone to form an extra bone which may provide extra support to the foot.
• Excess stress and pressure on the foot which may be a result of running, dancing or any such activity can lead to bone spur in the foot.
• Apart from these causes, poor fitting shoes can also be a cause of bone spur.

The symptoms of bone spur cannot be noticed distinctly and pain occurs only when the spur compresses a nerve or ligament around the affected site. This is the reason why many people do not realize a bone spur for years, and it gets diagnosed only when they experience pain. Pain and swelling are some of the most common symptoms. Apart from this, difficulty in walking may also indicate a possible bone spur.

Bone Spur on Top of Foot Surgery

There are many natural and medical treatments which are effective in treating bone spur on the foot but bone spur surgery is considered to be the best amongst all. But surgery should always be the last option to treat bone spur. X-ray, Computerized Tomography (CT) scans and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans are some of the best ways to diagnose a bone spur. Once bone spur is confirmed, the treatment will be based on the condition and growth of the bone spur. Bone spur surgery is considered to be effective but there are also some complications associated with it. The surgery may be conducted using the following procedures.

Arthroscopic Surgery
In this procedure, the doctor makes a hole in the skin which is above the bone spur and inserts a tiny camera. This camera will go till the bone spur and will show the growth and the position of the bone spur. Then, he will make one more hole through which he will insert a surgical tool. With the help of this surgical tool he will chip off the extra bone and will get the foot back into its normal condition.

Correction Surgery
This method is used when the bone spur is not very big and can be fixed with the help of few corrective measures. A hole or incision is made near the bone spur and then with the help of a rasp or power burr, the bone is smoothed. This method is very helpful in treating this condition without cutting the bone.

The type and procedure of surgery will totally depend upon the condition and size of the bone spur. Discuss with the doctor about various procedures and which one will be helpful for you. The foot will heal in few weeks but care should be taken at the time of the healing period. Activities should be restricted and proper rest should be taken. Wear proper fitting shoes recommended by your doctor. There may be few complications like infection or re-occurrence of the bone spur. Hence, the patient should follow all the instructions given by the doctor. Try to avoid the conditions which may cause bone spur and consult a doctor if you observe any symptoms of bone spur.