What causes bone spurs in the foot?

Bone spurs, or osteophytes in the foot can be caused by several things, including cartilage loss, tight ligaments, activities that put stress on the feet and pressure from extra weight or badly fitting shoes, according to WebMD. A common place for bone spurs to occur on the foot is the heel.

When rubbing, stress or pressure affect the bone over a long period, the body responds by trying to repair itself by adding on extra bone. A major cause for bone spurs in the feet is the natural aging process. Aging causes the cartilage between joints to break down and wear away over time.