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Heel spur why

25 Jul 18

What is a heel spur, its symptoms, causes, treatment methods

Many of you have heard of a “heel spur,” but do you know why it appears? What risk factors are there? What are the symptoms and treatment of heel spurs? All this is described below.

“Heel spur” or plantar fasciitis is a disease characterized by aseptic inflammation of the heel fascia, followed by calcification and proliferation of osteophytes.

Plantar fasciitis can develop at any age, but most cases occur in older adults.

Why does a heel spur appear - the causes

The calcaneal fascia is a dense formation of connective tissue, with one end attached to the calcaneal tubercle and the other to the heads of the metatarsal bones. This fascia plays an important role in the formation and maintenance of the arch of the foot. This small area of ​​connective tissue withstands enormous stress throughout life. Over time and under the influence of certain provoking factors, microscopic tears and cracks form in the fascia; most often they heal on their own.

But with a large number of such tears, aseptic (without the addition of microbial flora) inflammation of the heel fascia occurs. The inflamed fascia becomes denser, and calcium salts are gradually deposited in it - calcinosis. The heel bone, or more precisely the bone tissue cells, react to the inflammatory process localized nearby, bone tissue begins to grow, and bone outgrowths are formed - marginal osteophytes. With a heel spur, the symptoms and treatment of the disease are aggravated in the presence of additional provoking factors.

Factors that increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis:

  • Overweight
  • Wearing high heels
  • Wearing very low heels or flat shoes (optimal heel 2-4 cm)
  • History of longitudinal flatfoot
  • Presence of gout
  • Deforming osteoarthritis of large joints
  • Spinal diseases
  • Excessive physical activity (professional athletes, often track and field athletes, weightlifters)
  • Increased tone in the calf muscles
  • The main and main symptom of heel spurs is pain. The pain is localized in the heel bone, appears and intensifies when walking, after physical activity or prolonged standing. Often there are “starting pains” - these are pains that occur after a person has rested or been at rest for a long time (see other causes of heel pain).

    The nature of the pain is sharp, stabbing, often described as “like a nail in the heel.” Pain intensity is medium or high. Mostly appears in the morning or afternoon. You can often identify a patient with this disease by the forced gait. People suffering from plantar fasciitis take care of the sore leg, try not to step on the heel of this leg, and can use a cane to relieve pain.

    Diagnostic methods

    X-ray of a heel spur

    1. Questioning the patient and collecting anamnesis - the nature, intensity of pain, frequency and time of its occurrence, factors that provoke the occurrence or intensification of pain are clarified.

    2. Physical examination - the arch of the foot is examined, the painful area is palpated, the area of ​​the painful area is measured, and the presence or absence of restrictions in movement in the foot is determined.

    3. Instrumental research methods:

  • X-ray of the foot - the image clearly visualizes the bone growth on the heel bone. With this diagnostic method, it is possible to exclude other pathological processes in the foot, for example, arthrosis of nearby joints or a fracture of the heel bone.
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a method that can be used to visualize not only the bones of the foot, but also nearby soft tissues (ligaments, tendons).
  • Ultrasound (ultrasound) - visualization with this method is less clear, but ultrasound helps if other diagnostic methods are contraindicated and when monitoring the effectiveness of treatment, since it can be performed much more often than MRI and radiography.
  • Treatment methods for heel spurs

    Heel pads for pain relief

    There are several types of treatment for plantar fasciitis:

    The goal of these methods is to reduce trauma to the fascia. This can be achieved using orthopedic insoles or using special soft heel inserts, in the center of which there is a recess.

    The main group of drugs is NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These medications can reduce pain and relieve inflammation in the heel fascia. As a rule, diclofenac, ibuprofen or their analogues are prescribed. NSAIDs cannot be used frequently and for a long time, as they have many side effects (see injections for back pain). Therefore, it is recommended to use external agents. Various gels and ointments with an analgesic effect can be used continuously for a long time (see ointments for pain).

    If external agents and NSAIDs are ineffective, hormonal agents are used. When administered intravenously or orally, they have a general effect on the body and a large number of adverse reactions, so they are used topically. Diprospan or hydrocortisone is injected into the area of ​​the heel bone, where the bony outgrowth is located. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times.

    The exercises are aimed at stretching and strengthening the heel fascia, making it less susceptible to injury.

    If there is no effect from all other methods, surgical treatment is resorted to. During the operation, an incision is made in the area of ​​the “spur”, the bony outgrowth is removed and the tissue is sutured. As a rule, surgical treatment must be resorted to only in advanced cases. Therefore, when the first symptoms of this disease appear, you should consult a doctor, then treatment with conservative methods will be successful.

    Physiotherapeutic methods

    — Magnetic therapy — allows you to improve blood flow in the affected area, which relieves inflammation and reduces pain (read about the indications of magnetic therapy).

    - UHF - also improves blood flow.

    — Laser therapy - under the influence of a laser, blood flow increases and inflammation is relieved (read about the indications of laser therapy).

    — Heat therapy (paraffin therapy and mud therapy) — improves blood circulation in inflamed tissues.

    — Electrophoresis — this method allows using galvanic current to “deliver” medications to the inflamed fascia - novocaine, hydrocortisone and others (more about the indications of electrophoresis).

    — Shock wave therapy, the most effective physiotherapeutic method of treatment. With the help of special waves, the bone growth that causes discomfort is gradually destroyed. Contraindicated for pregnant women and people with malignant tumors.

    Important! If you have a heel spur, treatment with folk remedies will not get rid of it forever; they can only be used in combination with drug treatment and only after consultation with your doctor.

    Plantar fasciitis is a disease characterized by acute pain and inflammation in the foot, in the heel area, and according to the international classification of diseases, it is classified as a connective tissue pathology. The disease occurs due to constant microtears in the plantar fascia. As the disease progresses, the tissue of the plantar ligament is replaced with connective tissue, and subsequently a bone osteophyte is formed that injures the soft tissues, having the appearance of a wedge or spike, because of which the disease is often called a heel spur.

    The occurrence of heel spurs can be caused by:

  • Overweight;
  • Prolonged or increased stress on the feet;
  • Diseases of the joints and spine;
  • Poor blood circulation in the vessels of the lower extremities;
  • Foot injuries;
  • All types of flat feet.
  • This disease is rare in young people, but the likelihood of its occurrence increases with age. Heel spurs are more common in women than in men, due to the love of not always comfortable high-heeled shoes.

    The patient usually experiences pain constantly. The pain syndrome is especially pronounced in the morning and after rest; its intensity may change during the day.

    If you experience pain in the heel, you should immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment immediately. The type of therapy will depend on the severity of the disease and may last several months. Any physical activity should be excluded for this period.

    Initially, doctors prescribe conservative therapy. Treatment with ointments, creams, compresses is possible at home. Positive results are obtained by combining drug treatment with physiotherapeutic procedures:

  • Shock wave, x-ray and magnetic therapy;
  • Laser and ultrasound treatment.
  • In advanced forms of the disease, surgeons recommend blockades - injections into the source of inflammation. If the above methods do not produce results, a radical solution to the problem is used - surgery.

    Prevention of the disease comes down to the following simple recommendations:

  • Keep your weight normal;
  • Avoid increased stress on the spine and joints;
  • Regularly perform health-improving exercises to prevent flat feet and maintain the elasticity of ligaments.
  • Since pathology can arise and develop in any person, it is necessary to constantly pay attention to the condition of your legs, immediately respond to emerging pain and, if possible, reduce the risks that contribute to the occurrence and development of plantar fasciitis.

    What is a heel spur, why does it appear, about existing risk factors, symptoms and treatment, you will learn in detail from this article.

    Heel spur, also known as plantar fasciitis, is an aseptic inflammation of the plantar fascia in the heel area, which can lead to calcification and the proliferation of osteophytes. The main characteristic symptom is pain in the heel, which arises and intensifies from exertion.

    Plantar fasciitis occurs at any age, but older people are most susceptible to it.

    Why does a heel spur appear?

    The plantar fascia is a tough ligament that connects the calcaneal tubercle to the heads of the metatarsal bones. It serves as a necessary element for the formation and retention of the arch of the foot. This small connective tissue can withstand the enormous stress placed on it throughout life. From prolonged exposure to provoking factors, the fascia can receive microcracks and tears, which disappear on their own over time.

    However, if a large number of these tears accumulate, then the onset of aseptic inflammation in the form of a heel spur is inevitable. With inflammation, the fascia becomes denser, calcium salts are gradually deposited in it, leading to calcification. The heel bone, namely bone tissue cells, begin to respond to the inflammatory process localized nearby, growing and forming marginal osteophytes (bone outgrowths).

    Factors that increase the risk of developing heel spurs:

  • overweight;
  • wearing high-heeled shoes;
  • wearing shoes with flat soles or very low heels (recommended heel 2-4 cm);
  • longitudinal flatfoot revealed by history;
  • gout;
  • the presence of deforming osteoarthritis of large joints;
  • problems with the spine;
  • great physical activity (for professional athletes, track and field athletes and weightlifters).
  • Symptoms of heel spurs

    As mentioned earlier, the main and main symptom of heel spurs is pain. The location of the pain is concentrated in the area of ​​the heel bone. It may appear or intensify during walking, after physical exertion and prolonged standing. Plantar fasciitis is characterized by the concept of “starting pain,” meaning pain that appears in a person after a long rest or being in a calm state.

    The characteristic pain is described as a sharp and stabbing sensation, “like a nail in the heel,” with moderate to severe intensity. It often appears in the morning and afternoon. A forced gait is a sign that identifies a patient with this disease, when he tries to protect the sore leg and steps only with the first part of the foot, without touching the heel. You can use a cane to relieve pain.

    Diagnosis of the disease

    Diagnostic methods include:

  • Conversation with the patient for the purpose of questioning and medical history - the doctor must find out from the patient what nature and intensity the pain is, with what frequency and at what time it appears, what provokes and intensifies the pain.
  • Physical examination - examination of the arch of the foot, palpation of the painful area, measurement of the area of ​​the painful area and determination of the presence or absence of a restriction that interferes with the movement of the foot.
  • Instrumental research methods:
  • X-ray of the foot - the image will quickly reveal the formed bone growth. This diagnostic method will help to exclude any other pathologies in the foot, namely, arthrosis of the joints located near it and fracture of bones in the heel area;
  • magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a method that can diagnose not only bones, but also nearby soft tissues (tendons and ligaments);
  • Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) - unlike previous methods, ultrasound can visualize much weaker, but it is often used by patients for whom other methods are contraindicated and in order to monitor the effectiveness of treatment, which is impossible with X-rays and MRIs due to the negative impact on the body .
  • Heel spur treatment

    There are several treatment methods for plantar fasciitis:

    1) Non-drug therapy

    The goal of this method is to reduce trauma to the fascia. This is achieved through the use of orthopedic insoles and special soft heel inserts with existing indentations in the center.

    2) Drug treatment

    The main group of drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs not only reduce pain, but also relieve inflammation in the plantar fascia. Ibuprofen, Diclofenac or analogues are mainly used. NSAIDs should not be taken for a long time or frequently, as they may cause side effects. For accelerated action, it is worth using external agents, especially gels and ointments, which also relieve pain. Unlike NSAIDs, constant and prolonged use will not lead to negative consequences.

    If external and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are ineffective, then hormonal drugs are prescribed. Intravenous administration and oral administration have a strong effect on the body and do not exclude the occurrence of adverse reactions, therefore they are used exclusively as local therapy. Hydrocortisone or Diprospan is injected into the area of ​​the heel bone where the bony outgrowth is located. The procedure is repeated twice or three times.

    3) Therapeutic exercises

    Physical education includes exercises that strengthen and stretch the plantar fascia, thereby significantly reducing the risk of injury.

    4) Surgical treatment

    If the desired effect is not achieved by other methods, then you have to resort to surgical therapy. The operation is very simple and consists of making an incision in the area of ​​inflammation, removing the bone growth and suturing the tissue. Often, the only option in the form of surgical intervention is left to those who have developed a spur. Therefore, as in any other case with the occurrence of some kind of discomfort, it is necessary to immediately contact specialists who will prescribe successful conservative treatment.

    • magnetic therapy – improves blood flow in the affected area, reducing pain and relieving inflammation;
    • UHF also has a beneficial effect on blood flow;
    • laser therapy – by treating the inflamed area with a laser, inflammation is relieved and blood flow is increased;
    • heat therapy (mud therapy and paraffin therapy) - increase blood flow in inflamed tissues;
    • electrophoresis - using galvanic current, medications (hydrocortisone, novocaine, etc.) penetrate the inflamed fascia;
    • Shock wave therapy (SWT) is the most effective physiotherapeutic method. A special device, using wave radiation, gradually destroys the bone growth. This method of treatment is contraindicated for pregnant women and people with a malignant tumor.
    • Folk remedies

    • salt baths. Take sea salt and hot water, calculating 2-3 tablespoons of salt - 1 liter of water. The feet are warmed up for half an hour, after which they are wiped dry and insulated in socks. In the early stages of the disease, this method is contraindicated, since heat can, on the contrary, intensify the inflammatory process.
    • compress of honey and oatmeal. Honey and oatmeal are mixed in a 1:1 ratio, the resulting mixture is applied to the heel, wrapped with a bandage and put on socks on top. It is recommended to do this before bed and wash it off in the morning.
    • potato compress. The potatoes are grated on a fine grater, wrapped in gauze and applied to the heel. After putting on a bandage and putting on socks, you need to do this for the whole day. Then repeat the manipulation for several days in a row.
    • Video about the development of the disease and methods of treating heel spurs

      The administration of the portal categorically does not recommend self-medication and advises consulting a doctor at the first symptoms of the disease. Our portal presents the best medical specialists with whom you can make an appointment online or by phone. You can choose a suitable doctor yourself or we will select one for you absolutely free . Also, only when you make an appointment through us, the price for a consultation will be lower than in the clinic itself. This is our little gift for our visitors. Be healthy!

      Spur on a child’s heel - causes, symptoms, treatment

      The child’s body is more susceptible to the effects of unfavorable external factors, which leads to more rapid development of pathological changes. This is especially true for deformation of the musculoskeletal system. The reason is that growing bones and incompletely formed muscle fibers cannot effectively withstand increased physical stress.

      The plantar fascia of the human foot is initially subject to heavy daily stress due to our upright posture. Very often this leads to the formation in old age of such a pathological condition as plantar fasciitis, better known among the population as a heel spur. But why does a child develop a spur on his heel? What are the features of its treatment in childhood?

      Reasons for the development of heel spurs in children

      The special anatomical structure of the foot allows a person to move normally. In order to avoid any difficulties or discomfort when taking a step, the heel is connected to the toes using the plantar fascia. The functions of this fascia are to support the longitudinal arch of the foot and provide shock absorption.

      Increasing the intensity of the load on the foot, for example, during training, jumping or running, can lead to injury to the fascia, tearing its fibers at the point of attachment to the heel bone.

      Under normal conditions, such microtraumas do not pose a danger, since the fascia has the ability to self-heal. But if there is a constant impact on the leg of traumatic factors, when the child cannot withstand a period sufficient for the restoration of damaged tissues, favorable conditions are created for pathological changes in the plantar fascia.

      Plantar fasciitis in children, as in adults, is characterized by the formation of a specific growth on the heel bone - an osteophyte or heel spur.

      Risk factors for developing heel spurs

      The reasons for the development of heel spurs in children may be as follows.

      Flat feet are the most common cause of heel spurs. This is due to the fact that if the foot is formed incorrectly, the load on it is distributed incorrectly, leading to excessive tension in the plantar fascia. As a result, the place where it is attached to the heel bone becomes extremely vulnerable to injury from even the slightest overload while walking or running.

      When a heel spur develops in children, symptoms of the pathological process may appear at its already quite advanced stages. The following symptoms are characteristic of this disease:

    • pain in the heel area of ​​varying intensity;
    • gait disturbance;
    • starting pain in the morning and after rest.
    • In the early stages of the development of plantar fasciitis, the child complains of slight discomfort in the heel area, as if a nail is pressing into it. The pain is intermittent and quickly disappears on its own. A fairly characteristic sign of fasciitis is that pain occurs after a prolonged state of rest, for example, in the morning after sleep, which disappears after the child “disperses.”

      When a heel spur forms in a child, the period between the appearance of the first complaints of discomfort in the heel and the occurrence of intense pain in it is different for all children and ranges from 2 weeks to a year.

      A consequence of the increasing severity of the pain that occurs is a change in the child’s gait. This is due to his desire to protect the heel from unnecessary stress. In this case, the center of gravity when walking shifts to the outer edge of the foot or is transferred to its anterior sections.

      Treatment of heel spurs in children is similar to therapy for adult patients. First of all, it is important to eliminate the cause of the appearance of heel spurs in a child, relieve the load on the foot and enable the growing body to cope with the pathology.

    • First of all, you need to seek help from an orthopedist, who, after conducting an appropriate examination, will develop individual recommendations and help you choose the right shoes and orthopedic insoles.
    • The main treatment method is to provide the damaged area with maximum rest. The child is advised to follow a home regime until the pain disappears.
    • An orthopedist may also prescribe a specially designed course of physical therapy, a set of exercises that helps strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the foot.
    • The doctor, taking into account the presence of individual contraindications, may prescribe the use of night orthoses, the use of physiotherapeutic procedures - shock wave therapy, massage, electrophoresis and other methods of treating heel spurs.
    • Heel spurs in children heal much faster than in adults. Its most serious consequence is a possible refusal to engage in professional sports or dancing. There are no side effects of the disease in childhood. However, it is easier to prevent a heel spur from occurring than to get rid of it later. Prevention of plantar fasciitis involves avoiding increased stress on children’s feet and choosing the right shoes.

      Heel spur is the popular name for a disease such as plantar fasciitis. The patient experiences pain in the heel area, as if he had stepped on a nail. This is due to inflammatory processes or degenerative changes in the plantar fascia, a tendon that takes part in the musculoskeletal process. Sometimes pain occurs as a result of deformation or the appearance of various bone growths on the bones of the foot. Spurs on the legs, photos of which are posted below, can form on different sides of the heel bone.

      Spur on the heel: symptoms and treatment

      In an upright position, half the mass puts stress on the heel tendon. When walking, these loads increase, causing microtraumas that regenerate on their own. If this does not happen, inflammation with pain occurs. That is why the main symptom of the development of this disease is pain when standing on the heel. As a unique reaction of the body to constant irritation, the formation of various bone processes - osteophytes - is possible.

      Typically, a spur on the foot is more common in women, as well as men over 40. Often the disease becomes a continuation of a disease such as flat feet, in which the ankle is constantly under increased stress. That is why prevention and treatment of flat feet will help avoid serious complications.

      The pain syndrome accompanying spurs on the heels is the main symptom of the disease. More often the pain occurs in the morning and may worsen in the evening. At the initial stage of the disease, pain occurs due to the enormous overload experienced by the plantar fascia. And only then can bone deformities appear.

      This is a serious pathology, so treatment for heel spurs is prescribed by a doctor. For a final diagnosis, an x-ray of the foot is required in different projections so that the bone processes are visible.

      Heel spur: causes

      According to medical statistics, the most common causes of heel spurs are the following factors:

      • foot injuries;
      • flat feet (both acquired and post-traumatic);
      • excess weight;
      • diseases of the spine, in which weight is unevenly distributed between the feet;
      • wearing high-heeled shoes;
      • playing sports (jumping);
      • the presence of other diseases: gout, arthritis, varicose veins.
      • The main reason is the heavy load on the fascial tissue, which is extremely poorly supplied with blood, so the pain will intensify and accumulate.

        Modern treatment for heel spurs involves a combination of different types of procedures depending on the individual diagnosis. The main thing is an integrated approach to the problem, in which treatment of heel spurs with medication is one of the components. Usually the patient is prescribed:

      • massage and warming rubs;
      • special exercises for the tendon, which make it more elastic and avoid microtraumas during the day;
      • mud applications or baths;
      • local injections of corticosteroids.
      • If shock wave therapy for a heel spur is prescribed, then the site of attachment of the fascia to the heel bone is massaged with targeted sound wave energy. This leads to increased blood flow and decreased pain. The number of such procedures is prescribed by the doctor individually and can range from 2 to 8. Only in cases where there is a spur on the heel for which the treatment with the listed methods has proven ineffective, is surgical intervention and surgical removal of the osteophyte recommended.

        Contraindications for shock wave therapy:

        Typically, a heel spur, the photo of which is shown below, causes painful sensations, which can be compensated by a special insole or half-insole inserts with a recess or hole in the heel. Sometimes doctors recommend wearing special devices at night that hold the leg in a certain position and help heal microtraumas received during the day.

        Effective treatment of heel spurs with folk remedies

        According to doctors, complete treatment of heel spurs at home is impossible: compresses, rubbing, and massages help relieve pain, but do not eliminate the cause. That's why they strongly recommend consulting a doctor.

        Most often you can find such advice as how to get rid of spurs on the heel.

        Nettle compress: pass the nettles collected in May through a meat grinder, apply the pulp to the area of ​​the ankles and heels, place a burdock leaf on top, secure everything with a bandage. Do it at night for two weeks.

        Bile compress: pig bile – 2 tbsp, vodka – 1 tbsp, a little shampoo. In the evening, steam your feet and apply a compress, bandage, and put on socks. Do it for at least three days.

        There is often a recipe for treating heel spurs with dimexide. To do this, dilute a tablespoon of dimexide with 2 times more water (if the skin is very sensitive, take five times more water), soak gauze folded several times in the solution so that the water does not drip, apply it to the heel and joint, cover with polyethylene, put on a sock. Do 14 days for 0.5 hours.

        Question: If a heel spur is diagnosed, must there be bone spurs?

        Answer: No, the main symptom is pain in the heel area when walking or after the night when a person gets out of bed. But an x-ray is required to make sure there are no growths.

        Question: Can a heel spur go away without treatment?

        Answer: If a patient encounters pain in the heel for the first time, he may not pay attention to this fact, but blame everything on the weather, long walking, etc. If the load on the ankle is reduced (rest, changing shoes), the pain may subside for a while. This is why some people claim to have cured a spur without medication. However, with further stress, the return of pain is inevitable, so it is better to consult a doctor and undergo a massage course and regularly perform exercises that will help ensure blood flow in the foot. If you have significant bone spurs, you cannot get rid of them without serious treatment.

        Question: If a heel spur is diagnosed, is treatment done at home or in the hospital?

        Answer: If a patient comes with pain in the heel area and there are no other obvious symptoms (redness, swelling, acute pain or temperature), he may not even be given a sick leave. The doctor will limit himself to general recommendations and may prescribe painkillers in small doses to create a “cumulative effect.” It is possible to prescribe a massage. If the patient complains of acute pain, the doctor will order an x-ray. The final diagnosis is made only on the basis of photographs and examination of the patient. The patient is hospitalized for surgery (if necessary) or in cases of complex treatment of plantar fasciitis, when bed rest and several procedures are required.

        Question: Is it necessary to develop heel spurs if you are overweight?

        Answer: No. However, a person with extra pounds (especially if it is obesity of degree 2 or higher) automatically falls into the risk zone. The body of each of us is designed for certain loads. This is why it is believed that a woman’s normal weight ranges from 50 to 70 kg (sometimes a little more), and a man’s weight – from 70 to 90. In this case, “all ship systems work normally”: there is no additional load on the heart, tendons and bones when walking. Extra pounds gradually deform the foot, and the weight is distributed unevenly, so the ankle and calcaneal fascia begin to experience overload, which is indicated by pain when walking. That is why, along with drug treatment and other procedures, traumatologists or surgeons for heel spurs recommend getting rid of excess weight.

        Plantar fasciitis (heel spur) is a common diagnosis that has recently been increasingly diagnosed in patients. With this pathology, osteophytes appear on the heel bone - bone growths, which cause severe pain and severe discomfort. In its advanced state, this problem does not allow a person to walk normally - due to pain, he cannot fully step on his leg, which is why he noticeably limp. The size of the spine varies depending on the stage of the disease and can reach up to 12 mm.

        The mechanism of spur formation is associated with the plantar fascia - fibrous tissue connecting the heel and metatarsal bones. It is these ligaments that experience enormous stress during running and physical exercise. Because of this, microtraumas appear, which provoke changes in bone tissue. The heel spur itself is a deposit of calcium salts. They are located either in the fascia itself or directly above it. But the pain is not due to the growth of osteophytes, but due to inflammation and damage to the plantar fascia.

        Among the most common causes of this pathology are flat feet and uncomfortable shoes. It is no coincidence that in 75% of cases this diagnosis is made to women living in large cities - they more often wear high-heeled shoes, which have a bad effect on the condition of the feet. Flat feet are perhaps the main cause of osteophyte formation. Plantar fasciitis is found in 90% of patients with flat feet. Heel spurs also form for other reasons:

      • Age-related changes leading to metabolic disorders, blood circulation, and tissue regeneration.
      • Increased stress on the legs associated with intense sports or “standing” professions.
      • Increased body weight.
      • Heel bone injuries, infectious and inflammatory diseases.
      • Pregnancy associated with a change in the center of gravity, weight gain, and metabolic disorders.
      • Although heel spurs are most often diagnosed in patients over 40, young people are also susceptible to this pathology. In them, the growth of osteophytes is associated with sports activities and wearing uncomfortable shoes.

        Often, a heel spur is completely asymptomatic. In this case, the disease can be detected by chance - when an x-ray or ultrasound of the foot is performed to diagnose other diseases. However, most often this pathology is determined by characteristic signs. The main one is pain in the heel area. It is she who forces a person to come to see a doctor.

        The nature and intensity of pain can vary greatly. It depends:

      • Depending on the stage of the disease, advanced spurs on the heels hurt more intensely and almost constantly.
      • Place of osteophyte formation - if it is located next to the nerve endings, the pain will be more intense.
      • Time of day. The pain is especially severe in the morning after a long rest. During the day they become less pronounced, and in the evening they intensify again.
      • A neglected spur on the heel makes itself felt even at rest - a dull aching pain does not go away even during sleep. This is due to constant irritation of soft tissues and the appearance of inflammatory processes.

        A preliminary diagnosis can be made based on the patient's complaints and palpation of the heel. When palpating this area, the doctor determines compactions, which indicate the presence of osteophytes. But this is not enough for a final diagnosis, because similar symptoms are characteristic of many other diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, scanning examination methods are also prescribed. Most often this is:

        1. X-ray. The image clearly shows the bone process in the heel area.
        2. Ultrasound. Allows you to assess the condition of soft tissues, detect osteophytes and inflammatory processes in the foot.
        3. MRI is a universal, although quite expensive, type of diagnostics. Tomography allows you to simultaneously assess the condition of bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels.
        4. It is also necessary to undergo some tests that will exclude or confirm other leg diseases.

          The course of treatment for plantar fasciitis depends on its cause. The main thing is to eliminate the factor that provoked the formation of osteophytes. If it is flat feet, then the main efforts are aimed at eliminating this disease. At the same time, measures are taken to reduce the inflammatory process. Treatment involves:

        5. Unloading the feet - use special insoles, wear exclusively comfortable shoes without heels.
        6. Shock wave therapy. The spur is exposed to ultrasonic waves, which destroy the growths.
        7. X-ray, laser or magnetic therapy.
        8. Drug treatment - taking anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics. Compresses and ointments are applied externally.
        9. Injection of corticosteroids.
        10. If the calcaneal spur does not go away under the influence of treatment, its surgical removal is prescribed - the bone growth along with the affected soft tissue is excised.

          To prevent the occurrence of plantar fasciitis, it is necessary to direct efforts to the overall health of the musculoskeletal system. For this purpose, it is important to promptly diagnose any diseases of the joints, spine, and combat flat feet and other pathologies of the feet. Preventive measures include fighting excess weight, active lifestyle, and wearing comfortable shoes. Paying attention to your health includes regular visits to the doctor. This is the only possible way to detect the disease at an early stage, when it is easiest to get rid of the problem.

          Heel spur - causes, symptoms and treatment

          We all watched the movie "Office Romance". It is full of immortal phrases about female beauty. Do you remember this catchphrase - “What makes a woman a woman? Gait!". It's hard to disagree with this.

          And a truly vigorous, flying gait will always show your true age, and not the age in your passport. But there are problems with gait and other problems. It can be seriously damaged by a heel spur.

          In this article I will talk about what a heel spur is, how to treat it and whether it can be cured at home.

          70% of people have heel spurs

          So, a heel spur is a calcium formation on the bottom of the heel bone.

          In order to make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to take an x-ray. There you will see that this growth can protrude above the heel bone for a distance of up to 1 centimeter.

          Heel spurs can cause very severe pain when walking, sometimes even making it difficult to step on your heel.

          According to medical statistics, 2% of people suffer from this disease. Take any city, count 2% of the population and you will understand what army of people suffers from this disease.

          70% have this disease, but it does not bother them. While it is small, it does not damage soft tissues and does not cause any discomfort to its owner.

          What causes a heel spur?

          Heel spurs can occur on their own or develop due to arthritis and some other diseases.

          The cause of heel spurs is calcium deposits on the heel bone. There are certain factors that can trigger the development of this disease:

        11. excessive weight
        12. poorly fitting shoes
        13. running or walking quickly without shoes or with shoes with poorly shock-absorbing soles or insoles, on very hard surfaces
        14. using shoes with very hard soles.
        15. Heel spurs can appear if you are used to walking with your weight on the back of your foot rather than the front of your foot. Excessive salt consumption can also provoke calcium deposits.

          This disease can develop on its own, without any special reason.

          Heel spur symptoms

          The most common symptoms of heel spurs are:

        16. Pain in the heel area.
        17. Pain during the first steps after rest, which may then go away. Sometimes sick people say: “My heel hurt, then I split, and it went away” - this is a signal that there is such a disease.
        18. With more severe growths, the pain does not go away.
        19. Another signal is that the pain intensified after exercise, for example, after walking.

      The pain is as if a needle or pin had been stuck into the heel. It is easy to understand the cause of this pain - this calcium build-up injures the soft tissues of the heel.

      You understand that there can be no talk of an easy gait with such a disease - something must be done urgently about it.

      Diagnosing heel spurs will not be a problem for an experienced doctor. The doctor will send you for an x-ray - everything will be clearly visible on it.

      Treatment of a heel spur can be aimed either at relieving inflammation in this area, or at destroying the growth itself.

      You can relieve inflammation at home. But the calcium buildup can only be crushed in a physiotherapy room. Several sessions of physical therapy can relieve this problem entirely.

      In addition, there are also surgical treatment methods that are used in extreme cases when other methods do not provide any effect. Therefore, do not delay your visit to the doctor; visiting a physiotherapy room is much more pleasant than going for surgery.

      Shockwave therapy delivers powerful pulses that can break up calcium deposits in the heel area. In most cases, this helps and the problem is easily solved - the growth is completely removed.

      Electrophoresis with Dimexide is aimed at relieving inflammation in the heel spur area. This can be done in any normal clinic at your place of residence. Such physical therapy will not crush the calcium buildup, but will significantly reduce the pain.

      Drug treatment

      If you cannot visit a physiotherapy room, then there are medicinal treatments at home.

      You must understand that in most cases these are half-measures that will allow you to reduce inflammation, but this problem will arise again and again until you take drastic measures - crush the growth in the physiotherapy room.

      The basis of drug therapy is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You should not take strong drugs; Diclofenac, Naproxen, Ibuprofen, etc. are enough. Remember that you must take Omez at the same time as NSAIDs, so as not to spoil your stomach.

      If the swelling is very severe and it needs to be removed quickly, you can take 4 mg of Dexamethasone in a single dose with the obligatory simultaneous administration of Omez.

      NSAIDs can be used not only in the form of tablets, but also in the form of various gels and ointments. I repeat, the effect from them is moderate and short-term.

      It is better not to abuse Dexamethasone and take it after consulting with your doctor. In some cases, this drug is injected directly into the heel.

      Orthopedic devices

      Properly selected orthopedic shoes or insoles allow you to redistribute the load from the heel to the rest of the foot, which significantly reduces injury to the soft tissues of the heel.

      This is another way to reduce pain and inflammation until you have the opportunity to radically solve the problem - crush calcium deposits in a physiotherapy room.

      Treatment for heel spurs at home is aimed at relieving inflammation of the soft tissues in the heel area. To do this, you can make various compresses.

      Causes of heel spur

      Some people find it very helpful to tie a cut cabbage leaf or burdock leaf to their heels at night. Some people like it sweeter and additionally grease the cabbage leaf with honey. Honey is a strong anti-inflammatory agent.

      An alternative to such folk compresses can be anti-inflammatory ointments and creams. For example, FitoHeel cream. It contains natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic components (burdock root extract, shark oil, Adam's root).

      The cream accelerates blood circulation and tissue regeneration in the heel spur area. Enhances the effect of physiotherapeutic procedures.

      And, of course, it is much more convenient than leaves. To be honest, I don’t really imagine a modern woman with burdocks or cabbage on her legs. But they should also be kept in the form of compresses at night, under a film and a sock.

      Very good results are obtained by alternating Dimexide compresses, diluted in water according to instructions, with medical bile and ointment or creams with burdock extract. You can buy all this at any pharmacy.

      You need to do these compresses for at least 2 weeks, even if the pain has gone, alternating Dimexide one night, bile the next, and burdock extract the third.

      How to make compresses: Moisten a cotton pad with medical bile, apply it to the sore spot on the heel, wrap it with cling film, put on socks and sleep all night. A compress is made in the same way with Dimexide and cream with burdock extract. Do this for 20 days, after 6 days you will feel that the pain and inflammation have begun to go away.

      And remember, for the gait to be “free from the hip”, the heels must be healthy!

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