Can anyone tell me the common identifying symptoms?

Heel pains is an obvious answer. Prior to heel spurs you may get Plantar Fasciitis (fallen arches). You can recognize PF by a pain on the bottom of the foot that often shows up when you get out of bed.

Heel spurs are generally pretty easy to identify depending on their severity. I just had a surgery for Haglund's deformity which is basically a large spur with a bursa under the achilles tendon on the back of the heel. For that to be removed you would need a fairly large surgery that involves anesthetic and immobilization by a cast. (Just hope you dont have this). Otherwise, many heel spurs can be removed in a podiatrist's office and only require you to be off your feet for a few days. You should visit a podiatrist to get all the answers

hey therover5509,
When did you have your surgery for haglund's deformity? I had the same thing done, my surgery was june 3. I was just wondering how your recovering is going, and how long did you have to be on crutches, also when did you go back to work?
Thanks,
boarderchic

Hey boarderchic,
So how are you doing? Did you read my knew thread "Different Diagnosis"? I went to my knew Podiatrist and he actually took x-rays, so he says no Haglund's Deformity but 2 heel spurs. One on the bottom(no problem) and one on the back which is my problem. It has caused achilles tendonitis and the "lump" according to him is the achilles where it attaches to the heel(but it's on the side toward the bottom which I didn't know the achilles attached there). Anyway I'm back in the boot for 4 weeks and on Celebrex...we'll see. I think it actually might be getting better, but I son't know what can be done for the spur on the back of the heel.
sbrewer

Hi Sbrewer,
I'm doing great, I'm not even walking with a limp no more, but I have to think about it, unless I will limp, the pain comes and goes sometimes. But it's only really sore at night and in the morning. I did read that thread, well when I got my x-rays done my doc said that I would not be able to see the bone but he knew what it was just by looking at it. I'm glad to here that you are doing better, so how long have you been in this boot, it seems like a very long time. I know that they can cut off the spur, if it bothers you, but it sounds like to me that it's the tendon that hurts you the most. Well keep up the good work.
hang in there,
boarderchic

Hi boarderchic,
Yes, I think me and the boot have really connected. I was in it 5 weeks and now and additional 4 and boy is it HOT...I go back august 9 so I'll hopfully know more then.
sbrewer