How can calcaneal spur be treated?

Q: My 50 years old mother has calcaneal spur in both the feet for the last three months and feels pain while walking. She is taking the calcium supplement for the last two months. What are the treatment options? What are the side effects of injecting a steroid? Will calcium tablets aggravate the spur?

A:Calcaneal spurs are usually the result and not the cause of heel pain. It is part of an inflammatory process. Taking calcium does not aggravate the condition, however avoid prolonged usage of medicines with active Vitamin D (calcitriol). If all other conservative treatment has failed steroids injection can give temporary to permanent relief and can be repeated twice or thrice, six weekly.