A tight Achilles tendon may cause a spur to form on the heel bone, or a heel spur. You see, the Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to the heel bone (calcaneus) at the back of your foot. Calcium deposits called calcaneal spurs (or heel spurs) build up on the bottom of the heel bone when it is exposed to constant stress. While heel spurs are often painless, they can cause pain in the region surrounding the spur. The pain typically increases in intensity after prolonged periods of rest. Many people describe it as a sharp pain in the bottom of their feet when they first stand up in the morning, that later turns into a dull ache. Risk factors for heel spurs include:
- Gait abnormalities that place excessive stress on the heel bone, ligaments, or nerves near the heel.
- Running or jogging, particularly on hard surfaces.
- Poor fitting or badly worn shoes, particularly those with inadequate arch support.
- Overweight and obesity.