What are bone spurs and how do they form. What causes osteophytes to develop in joints. How are bone spurs diagnosed and treated. Can bone spurs be prevented.

Understanding Bone Spurs: What Are Osteophytes?

Bone spurs, medically known as osteophytes, are smooth, hard projections of extra bone that develop on the edges of bones, typically in joints where two bones meet. These bony outgrowths can form in various parts of the body, including:

• Hands
• Shoulders
• Neck
• Spine
• Hips
• Knees
• Feet (especially heels)

While bone spurs are often asymptomatic, they can cause discomfort and functional issues when they rub against other bones or compress nearby nerves. Understanding the nature of these bony growths is crucial for proper diagnosis and management.

The Root Causes of Bone Spur Formation

Bone spurs don’t appear randomly; they develop due to specific underlying conditions or factors. The most common cause is joint damage resulting from osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. As we age, the cushioning cartilage between our joints and the bones of our spine can wear down, leading to the formation of osteophytes.

Other conditions that can trigger bone spur development include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus
• Gout
• Joint or tendon injuries
• Overuse of joints (e.g., from running or dancing)
• Genetic predisposition
• Poor diet
• Obesity
• Congenital bone disorders
• Spinal stenosis

When the body perceives bone damage, it attempts to repair the area by adding extra bone tissue, resulting in the formation of spurs.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Bone Spurs

Do bone spurs always cause noticeable symptoms? Not necessarily. Many individuals with bone spurs are unaware of their presence until they are discovered incidentally during imaging studies for other conditions. However, when osteophytes press on nerves, tendons, or other structures, they can produce a range of symptoms:

• Pain in the affected joint
• Stiffness or discomfort when moving the joint
• Weakness, numbness, or tingling in arms or legs (if spurs compress spinal nerves)
• Muscle spasms, cramps, or weakness
• Visible bumps under the skin, particularly in the hands and fingers
• In rare cases, difficulty controlling bladder or bowels due to spinal nerve compression

These symptoms may intensify during physical activity or when attempting to move the affected joint. In some instances, a bone spur can break off and become lodged in the joint lining, creating a “loose body” that can restrict movement and cause joint locking.

Diagnosing Bone Spurs: From Physical Exams to Imaging Studies

How are bone spurs diagnosed? The process typically begins with a visit to your primary care physician, who may then refer you to a specialist such as a rheumatologist or orthopedic doctor. These specialists focus on joint problems and the musculoskeletal system, respectively.

The diagnostic process often includes:

1. Physical examination: The doctor will palpate the joint to check for any abnormal bumps or tenderness.
2. X-ray imaging: This is the primary tool for visualizing bone spurs.
3. CT scan: A more detailed imaging technique that provides cross-sectional views of the affected area.
4. MRI: Useful for assessing soft tissue involvement and any nerve compression.
5. Electroconductive tests: These measure nerve signal transmission speed and can reveal nerve damage caused by bone spurs in the spinal canal.

Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan and preventing further complications.

Treatment Options for Bone Spurs: From Conservative Care to Surgery

What treatment options are available for individuals suffering from bone spurs? The approach to managing osteophytes depends on the severity of symptoms and the impact on daily life. Treatment strategies range from conservative measures to surgical interventions:

Conservative Treatments:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
• Rest: Allowing the affected joint to rest can help minimize irritation and discomfort.
• Steroid injections: These can provide targeted relief by reducing swelling and pain in the joint.
• Physical therapy: Exercises to improve joint strength and increase mobility can be beneficial.

Surgical Interventions:

If conservative treatments fail to provide relief or if the bone spur significantly impairs movement, surgical removal of the extra bone may be necessary. This procedure is typically performed as a last resort when other treatments have proven ineffective.

Preventing Bone Spurs: Lifestyle Modifications and Early Intervention

Can bone spurs be prevented? While it may not be possible to prevent all bone spurs, especially those resulting from natural aging processes and arthritis, certain steps can be taken to reduce the risk of developing osteophytes:

• Wear properly fitted shoes with good arch support and cushioning.
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D to support bone health.
• Engage in regular weight-bearing exercises to keep bones strong.
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on joints.
• Seek medical attention promptly for any signs of joint problems, such as pain, swelling, or stiffness.

Early detection and treatment of arthritis may help prevent the joint damage that leads to bone spur formation.

Living with Bone Spurs: Management Strategies for Long-Term Health

How can individuals with bone spurs maintain their quality of life? Living with osteophytes may require ongoing management and lifestyle adjustments:

• Regular exercise: Low-impact activities like swimming or cycling can help maintain joint flexibility without exacerbating symptoms.
• Weight management: Keeping excess weight off can reduce stress on affected joints.
• Ergonomic modifications: Adjusting workspaces and daily activities to minimize joint strain can be helpful.
• Alternative therapies: Some individuals find relief through acupuncture, massage, or other complementary treatments.
• Assistive devices: Using canes, braces, or orthotics can provide support and alleviate pressure on affected joints.

By adopting these strategies and working closely with healthcare providers, many people with bone spurs can effectively manage their condition and maintain an active lifestyle.

The Future of Bone Spur Treatment: Emerging Therapies and Research

What advancements are being made in the treatment of bone spurs? The field of orthopedics and rheumatology continues to evolve, with ongoing research into new therapies for osteophytes and related conditions:

• Regenerative medicine: Stem cell therapies and platelet-rich plasma injections show promise in promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation.
• Targeted drug delivery: New methods of delivering medications directly to affected joints may improve treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects.
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques: Advanced arthroscopic procedures are being developed to remove bone spurs with less tissue damage and shorter recovery times.
• Biomechanical interventions: Innovative braces and supports that alter joint mechanics may help prevent bone spur formation or reduce their impact on surrounding tissues.

As research progresses, individuals with bone spurs may have access to more effective and less invasive treatment options in the future.

Bone spurs, while often benign, can significantly impact an individual’s comfort and mobility when they cause symptoms. Understanding the causes, recognizing the signs, and knowing the available treatment options are crucial steps in managing this condition effectively. By working closely with healthcare providers and adopting appropriate lifestyle modifications, many people with bone spurs can find relief and maintain their quality of life. As medical science advances, the outlook for those affected by osteophytes continues to improve, offering hope for even better management strategies in the years to come.

Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, & Prevention

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Are Bone Spurs?
• Causes of Bone Spurs
• Symptoms of Bone Spurs
• Bone Spur Diagnosis
• Bone Spur Treatments and Home Care
• Bone Spur Prevention
• More

Bone spurs (also called osteophytes) are smooth, hard bumps of extra bone that form on the ends of bones. They often pop up in the joints — the places where two bones meet.

Bone spurs can form on many parts of your body, including your:

• Hands
• Shoulders
• Neck
• Spine
• Hips
• Knees
• Feet (heels)

Most bone spurs don’t cause problems. But if they rub against other bones or press on nerves, you might experience pain and stiffness.

The most common cause of bone spurs is joint damage from osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. The cushioning between your joints and the bones of your spine can wear down with age. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and gout can also damage your joints.

Bone spurs also often form after an injury to a joint or tendon. When your body thinks your bone is damaged, it tries to fix it by adding bone to the injured area.

Other causes of bone spurs include:

• Overuse – for example, if you run or dance a lot over a long period of time
• Genes
• Diet
• Obesity
• Bone problems that you were born with
• Narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis)

You might not realize you have a bone spur until you get an X-ray to look for another condition. They only cause problems when they press on nerves, tendons, or other structures in your body. Then, you might feel any of the following:

• Pain in the affected joint
• Pain or stiffness when you try to bend or move the affected joint
• Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arms or legs if the bone spur presses on nerves in your spine
• Muscle spasms, cramps, or weakness
• Bumps under your skin, seen mainly in the hands and fingers
• Trouble controlling your bladder or bowels if the bone spur presses on certain nerves in your spine (a symptom that’s seen very rarely)

Your symptoms might get worse when you exercise or try to move the affected joint.

A bone spur can break off and get stuck in the lining of the joint. This is called a “loose body.” It can lock up the joint and make it hard to move.

Often, bone spurs are first evaluated by your regular doctor who will likely refer you to a specialist. You’ll probably need to see a rheumatologist or orthopedic doctor. Rheumatologists specialize in joint problems. Orthopedic doctors focus on the musculoskeletal system. Your doctor will feel the joint to check for a bump. They may also order an X-ray to help them to see the bone spur better.

Other tests your doctor can use to diagnose bone spurs include:

• CT scan. It’s a powerful X-ray that makes detailed pictures inside your body.
• MRI. This uses powerful magnets and radio waves to make pictures of organs and structures inside your body.
• Electroconductive tests. These tests measure how fast your nerves send electrical signals. They can show the damage bone spurs have caused to nerves in your spinal canal.

To relieve pain and bring down swelling, you can try one of these over-the-counter pain relievers:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• Naproxen sodium (Aleve)

These can cause side effects, especially if you take them in large doses or for a long time. If you’ve taken them for more than a month, ask your doctor if you can try a different treatment.

Other therapies for bone spurs include:

• Rest
• Steroid shots to bring down swelling and reduce pain in the joints
• Physical therapy to improve joint strength and increase movement

If these treatments don’t work or the bone spur affects your movement, you might need surgery to remove the extra bone.

Bone spurs usually can’t be prevented if they’re the result of the natural wear and tear of arthritis. But you can take these steps to avoid bone spurs caused by other things:

• Wear shoes with a wide toe box, good arch support, and enough cushion to pad each step. Get your shoes fitted by a professional so they don’t rub against your feet when you walk. Wear thick socks to prevent your shoes from rubbing.
• Eat a well-rounded diet with plenty of calcium and vitamin D to protect your bones.
• Do regular weight-bearing exercises like walking or stair climbing to keep your bones strong.
• Try to keep the extra pounds off.

See your doctor if you have any signs of joint trouble, like pain, swelling, or stiffness. If you catch and treat arthritis early, you may be able to prevent the damage that leads to bone spurs.

Top Picks

Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, & Prevention

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Are Bone Spurs?
• Causes of Bone Spurs
• Symptoms of Bone Spurs
• Bone Spur Diagnosis
• Bone Spur Treatments and Home Care
• Bone Spur Prevention
• More

Bone spurs (also called osteophytes) are smooth, hard bumps of extra bone that form on the ends of bones. They often pop up in the joints — the places where two bones meet.

Bone spurs can form on many parts of your body, including your:

• Hands
• Shoulders
• Neck
• Spine
• Hips
• Knees
• Feet (heels)

Most bone spurs don’t cause problems. But if they rub against other bones or press on nerves, you might experience pain and stiffness.

The most common cause of bone spurs is joint damage from osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. The cushioning between your joints and the bones of your spine can wear down with age. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and gout can also damage your joints.

Bone spurs also often form after an injury to a joint or tendon. When your body thinks your bone is damaged, it tries to fix it by adding bone to the injured area.

Other causes of bone spurs include:

• Overuse – for example, if you run or dance a lot over a long period of time
• Genes
• Diet
• Obesity
• Bone problems that you were born with
• Narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis)

You might not realize you have a bone spur until you get an X-ray to look for another condition. They only cause problems when they press on nerves, tendons, or other structures in your body. Then, you might feel any of the following:

• Pain in the affected joint
• Pain or stiffness when you try to bend or move the affected joint
• Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arms or legs if the bone spur presses on nerves in your spine
• Muscle spasms, cramps, or weakness
• Bumps under your skin, seen mainly in the hands and fingers
• Trouble controlling your bladder or bowels if the bone spur presses on certain nerves in your spine (a symptom that’s seen very rarely)

Your symptoms might get worse when you exercise or try to move the affected joint.

A bone spur can break off and get stuck in the lining of the joint. This is called a “loose body.” It can lock up the joint and make it hard to move.

Often, bone spurs are first evaluated by your regular doctor who will likely refer you to a specialist. You’ll probably need to see a rheumatologist or orthopedic doctor. Rheumatologists specialize in joint problems. Orthopedic doctors focus on the musculoskeletal system. Your doctor will feel the joint to check for a bump. They may also order an X-ray to help them to see the bone spur better.

Other tests your doctor can use to diagnose bone spurs include:

• CT scan. It’s a powerful X-ray that makes detailed pictures inside your body.
• MRI. This uses powerful magnets and radio waves to make pictures of organs and structures inside your body.
• Electroconductive tests. These tests measure how fast your nerves send electrical signals. They can show the damage bone spurs have caused to nerves in your spinal canal.

To relieve pain and bring down swelling, you can try one of these over-the-counter pain relievers:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• Naproxen sodium (Aleve)

These can cause side effects, especially if you take them in large doses or for a long time. If you’ve taken them for more than a month, ask your doctor if you can try a different treatment.

Other therapies for bone spurs include:

• Rest
• Steroid shots to bring down swelling and reduce pain in the joints
• Physical therapy to improve joint strength and increase movement

If these treatments don’t work or the bone spur affects your movement, you might need surgery to remove the extra bone.

Bone spurs usually can’t be prevented if they’re the result of the natural wear and tear of arthritis. But you can take these steps to avoid bone spurs caused by other things:

• Wear shoes with a wide toe box, good arch support, and enough cushion to pad each step. Get your shoes fitted by a professional so they don’t rub against your feet when you walk. Wear thick socks to prevent your shoes from rubbing.
• Eat a well-rounded diet with plenty of calcium and vitamin D to protect your bones.
• Do regular weight-bearing exercises like walking or stair climbing to keep your bones strong.
• Try to keep the extra pounds off.

See your doctor if you have any signs of joint trouble, like pain, swelling, or stiffness. If you catch and treat arthritis early, you may be able to prevent the damage that leads to bone spurs.

Top Picks

Heel spur – causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

• org/ListItem”> INVITRO
• Library
• Directory of diseases
• Heel spur

Arthritis

Plantar fasciitis

Osteophytes

4367

June 28

Heel spur: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Definition

Heel spur, or plantar fasciitis, is a disease of the feet with a characteristic chronic aseptic (without bacterial agent) inflammation in the area of ​​attachment of the large ligament on the sole of the foot (plantar aponeurosis, or fascia) to the calcaneus. Plantar fasciitis usually forms on the back or underside of the heel bone, resembling a spur, hence its name.

Causes of heel spurs

The plantar fascia is a bundle of fibers that connects the calcaneal tuberosity to the phalanges of the fingers. It helps to maintain the shape of the foot and arch of the foot. The normal anatomy of the foot is designed so that a person does not feel pain when walking – for this there is a plantar aponeurosis, which plays the role of a shock absorber (bridge) for the arch of the foot.

One of the modern theories explaining the formation of heel spur syndrome is that the inflammation is caused by chronic microtraumatization of the aponeurosis when it is stretched.

As a result of the incorrect position of the bones of the foot relative to each other during walking, a constant overstretching of the ligament occurs, leading to the appearance of small tears, swelling and pain. As a result of repeated ruptures, inflammation and shortening of the fibers of the plantar aponeurosis occur, they lose their elasticity. Pathological feedback is switched on: the more microtears, the stronger the inflammation, the shorter the ligaments, the more often microtears. Forced protection of the body from injuries and ruptures is the strengthening of the fibers of the plantar aponeurosis in the area of ​​​​attachment to the calcaneus. The next stage is the formation of osteophytes on the calcaneus, which are called “calcaneal spur”. Thus, the growth on the calcaneus itself is only a reaction of the body to inflammation, but not the root cause of pain.

Predisposing factors for the development of spurs are flat feet, overweight, excessive overload of the foot, very high or low arch of the foot, congenital and acquired deformities of the feet, scoliosis, osteochondrosis, deforming arthrosis of the hip or knee joints, arthritis of various etiologies, diabetes mellitus.

The disease is often diagnosed in professional athletes, runners and dancers, as well as in people whose work is associated with a long stay in a standing position, with prolonged walking on a hard surface, and frequent carrying of weights.

Heel spurs are more common in women over the age of 40-45.

Perhaps this is due to the regular wearing of high-heeled shoes. In 90% of cases, the disease develops against the background of flat feet, in which the distribution of the load on the foot changes and overstretching of the plantar fascia occurs.

Classification of the disease

According to the international classification of diseases ICD-10, heel spur (M77.3) refers to diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. Heel spurs can be unilateral or bilateral, that is, on the soles of one or both feet.

Heel spur symptoms

The disease has such characteristic symptoms that it is simply impossible not to notice it or confuse it with any other pathology. Typical symptoms of plantar fasciitis:

• burning, stabbing pain in the heel;
• the focus of pain is deep, right in front of the heel and more often on the inside of the heel;
• the pain is more acute in the morning and at the end of a tiring day;
• the pain increases with prolonged standing, sitting;
• the first steps after sleep are especially painful, and as you walk, the pain subsides a little;
• worries more when walking barefoot, in flat shoes without a heel;
• pain may be present in both feet, but usually one leg hurts more;
• wrong turn of the foot, clubfoot.

Pain occurs in the central and medial parts of the plantar surface of the calcaneal region during palpation, with pressure on the tubercle of the calcaneus, with squeezing of the heel on both sides. Thumb extension can also cause increased heel pain.

With a posterior heel spur, pain is observed at the site of attachment of the Achilles tendon when walking and pressure with the back of the shoe.

There is no relationship between spur size and symptom severity. Many large spurs are asymptomatic, small spurs can cause unbearable pain, and many patients present with severe complaints, although there is no evidence of spurs on x-rays.

Heel spur diagnosis

Evaluation of patients with heel pain begins with an assessment of general health (including history of heel pain treatment), occupation, hobbies, weight change, or coincidence of onset of symptoms with increased physical activity.

To clarify the diagnosis of heel spurs, various instrumental methods are used:

• X-ray of the heel region is necessary to exclude a fracture if there are indications of trauma in the anamnesis. In the early stages of formation, the heel spur is not visualized on the radiograph.

X-ray of the bones of the foot

X-ray examination of the foot in two projections allows diagnosing injuries and other pathological changes, including flat feet.

RUB 2,390

Sign up

MRI of soft tissues of one limb segment

Magnetic resonance imaging is a study that allows you to study the structure of soft tissues in detail, detect pathological changes, assess the degree of their development…

6,590 rubles

Sign up

Ultrasound diagnostics can be used to assess the condition of the soft tissues of the foot, identify a possible abscess, and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

Ultrasound of soft tissues

Examination of soft tissues to detect pathological changes and diagnose neoplasms.

RUB 1,790

Sign up

Additional examination methods include:

• general and biochemical blood tests to detect inflammation, assess the level of uric acid;

C-reactive protein (CRP, CRP)

C-reactive protein is an acute phase protein, a sensitive indicator of tissue damage during inflammation, necrosis, trauma.
Synonyms: Blood test for CRP; C-jet …

Up to 1 working day

Available with home visit

665 RUB

Add to cart

Uric acid (in the blood)

The study of uric acid is used in the diagnosis and control of the treatment of gout, the assessment of the risk of urolithiasis.

Synonyms: Blood test for urinary…

Up to 1 working day

Available with home visit

370 RUB

Add to cart

Ultrasound of the veins and arteries of the lower extremities (doppler)

Comprehensive ultrasound scanning of the vessels of the lower extremities for the diagnosis of circulatory disorders.

RUB 4,890

Sign up

Which doctors to contact

Traumatologists-orthopedists and surgeons deal with foot pathology. The necessary list of physiotherapeutic procedures, massage and therapeutic exercises is prescribed by a physiotherapist. In the presence of concomitant diseases, appropriate laboratory and instrumental studies, consultations of narrow specialists may be required.

Heel spur treatment

One of the main goals of heel spur treatment is to control pain and relieve inflammation. The real effect can be obtained only with an integrated approach.

Foot unloading method . The most effective way of treatment is to return the foot to the correct position when walking, restore the arch of the longitudinal arches and reduce pressure on the heel region. It is considered rational to wear orthopedic shoes that prevent overstretching of the plantar ligament and have the maximum shock-absorbing effect, creating comfort while walking.

One of the most affordable options is the manufacture of individual instep supports that make it possible to physiologically position the foot.

Drug therapy . Currently, drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of ointments and creams are used to treat heel spurs. tablet or injectable forms. It is worth noting that this is a symptomatic method of treatment that does not give a persistent analgesic effect and does not affect the course of the disease, and also has many undesirable side effects.

Corticosteroids are commonly used to reduce pain and inflammation. Although plantar fasciitis is a degenerative rather than an inflammatory process, as evidenced by the short-term therapeutic effect of corticosteroids. The most common in the treatment of heel spurs are injections of hormonal drugs.

Tension of the calf muscles aggravates the course of the disease and increases heel pain, so muscle relaxants can be used to reduce it.

In combination with analgesics, they significantly increase the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the dose of painkillers.

Physiotherapy:

• electrophoresis with hyaluronidase or 5% calcium chloride solution: introduction of drugs into the thickness of tissues using electric current;
• sonophoresis with hydrocortisone: treatment of tissues with ultrasonic waves that improve the penetration of drugs;
• ultrasonic therapy: heating of tissues and reduction of inflammatory reactions with the help of ultrasonic waves;
• magnetotherapy;
• mud and mineral baths;
• laser therapy: heating the deep layers of tissues with a laser helps locally improve blood flow.

Shock wave therapy is a non-invasive method of treatment that allows you to reduce or completely remove pain in a short time. The technique is based on the impact of ultrasonic waves of a certain frequency in order to destroy calcium deposits, reduce inflammation and relieve swelling, and activate tissue regeneration. Under the influence of the shock wave, blood circulation increases, the permeability of cell membranes changes and cell ion exchange is restored, thereby providing anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects.

Therapeutic exercise and massage . In the subacute period, when the intensity of pain has decreased, physical exercises are added to the treatment aimed at stretching the calf muscles of the lower leg and plantar fascia, improving the mobility of the ankle joint, as well as strengthening the muscles responsible for the correct positioning of the foot during movement. Massage improves metabolic processes in tissues, removes pain associated with reflex muscle spasm.

Therapeutic physical training and massage are aimed at correcting the biomechanics of the body, which can significantly alleviate the course of the disease and is the prevention of its relapse.

Surgical treatment . The only way to get rid of a large heel spur is through surgery. When choosing the classic version of the operation, the surgeon cuts the fascia completely and removes the bony protrusion. A more modern and sparing technique is radiofrequency microtenotomy. The essence of the operation is to eliminate damaged tissues using radiofrequency waves.

Local injection of hormones (corticosteroids) at the site of inflammation and surgery are extreme measures, which are resorted to only in cases where other methods of treatment have not brought the desired result.

In complex cases characterized by a long and recurrent course, surgical treatment is the only method.

Complications

The main complication of heel spurs is a deterioration in the quality of life associated with pain and the inability to lead an active lifestyle. In patients, sleep is often disturbed, anxiety and irritability increase. They are forced to avoid relying on a sore heel and transfer weight to a healthy limb. This negatively affects gait and posture and increases the risk of damage to the joints of the loaded limb. With a pronounced pain syndrome, asymmetry of posture appears, which leads to the progression of osteochondrosis and the occurrence of pain in the lumbar region. As a result, the patient is forced to limit motor activity.

Other complications such as avulsion of the fascia and suppuration are rare.

Heel spur prevention

The development of a heel spur is preventable in most cases. It is recommended to ensure regular rest of the feet in combination with the right exercises, take breaks to warm up at work, if it is associated with a constant load on the feet.

Shoes should be comfortable, and in the presence of flat feet – orthopedic.

It is useful to wear individual orthopedic insoles that are adjacent to the foot over the entire area – they allow you to restore the normal height of the arch of the foot and, thus, reduce the tension of the plantar fascia already in the first weeks of constant wear.

To reduce the severity of pain in the heel region and reduce the load on the plantar aponeurosis, you should take shorter steps, do not walk barefoot, avoid running, dancing, wearing irrational shoes.

Sources:

1. Reznik L.B., Erofeev S.A., Silantiev V.N., Turushev M.A., Kuznetsov N.K. The current state of the problem of surgical treatment of plantar fasciosis (literature review). Orthopedic genius, magazine. T. 24. No. 4, 2018. S. 515-520.
2. Bone spurs. Big Medical Encyclopedia (BME), edited by Petrovsky B.V., 3rd edition, volume 27.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.

Recommendations

• Tuberculosis of the spine

  797

  July 13

• Chronic cerebral ischemia

  812

  July, 12

• Hemoblastoses (malignant diseases of the hematopoietic system, blood cancer)

  791

  08 July

Show more

Arthritis

Gout

Rheumatism

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

More

Allergy

Arthritis

Encephalitis

Brucellosis

Brucellosis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

More

Diarrhea

Arthritis

Iron deficiency

Nonspecific ulcerative colitis

Nonspecific ulcerative colitis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

More

Arthritis

Myalgia

Glasses symptom

Shirt symptom

Stairs symptom

Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

More

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis

Baker’s cyst

Gonarthrosis

Gonarthrosis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

More

Nothing found

Try changing your request or select a doctor or service from the list.

Doctor not found

Try changing your query or select
doctor from the list

Medical office not found

Try changing your query or select
medical office from the list

Therapist
Traumatologist-orthopedist
Endocrinologist
Urologist
Gynecologist
Ultrasound doctor
Cardiologist
Pediatrician

No results found

Try changing your query

Thank you!
You have successfully made an appointment

Detailed information has been sent to your e-mail

Heel spur – treatment, symptoms, causes, diagnosis

Video

• Heel spur. Question answer.
  Subject: Q&A
• Heel spur
  Subject: Encyclopedia of diseases

Title

• Causes of disease
• Symptoms
• Diagnostics
• Treatments for heel spurs

SHOCK WAVE THERAPY –
the most effective treatment for
HEAL SPUR!

Read more

Heel spur is a calcium deposit on the underside of the heel bone. On x-ray, the heel spur may protrude 0.5-1 cm forward. Although heel spurs are often painless, they can still be quite painful. Heel spurs are often associated with plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of pain in the bottom of the heel. Approximately 2 million patients in the US are treated for plantar fasciitis each year. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the strong band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot (plantar fascia) becomes irritated and inflamed. Heel spurs on the back of the heel are also often associated with inflammation of the Achilles tendon (tendinitis) and can cause soreness and pain in the back of the heel that worsens with foot extension.

Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis can occur by themselves or be caused by the presence of diseases such as arthritis (including Reiter’s reactive arthritis), ankylosing spondylitis, diffuse idiopathic hyperostosis. It is important to note that a heel spur may not cause any symptoms at all, and may be discovered incidentally during an X-ray examination.

Cause

A heel spur occurs when calcium deposits form on the underside of the heel bone and this is a process that usually occurs over many months. Heel spurs are often caused by stretching of the muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, and repeated ruptures of the membrane that covers the heel bone. Heel spurs are especially common in athletes whose sports activities are associated with a lot of jumping and running.

Risk factors for heel spurs include:

• Impaired gait that places excessive stress on the heel bone, ligaments, and nerves in the heel area.
• Running on hard surfaces
• Poorly fitted or worn shoes
• Overweight, obesity

In most cases, plantar fasciitis develops without a specific cause.

But there are certain risk factors that increase the chance of developing plantar fasciitis and include:

• Old age. Involutional changes in the tissues leads to a decrease in the elasticity of the plantar fascia and a decrease in adipose tissue in the heel area
• Diabetes
• Activities involving standing for long periods of time
• Episodes of intense physical activity
• The presence of flat feet or vice versa high arch of the foot.
• Gastrocnemius thickening and limited foot flexion.

The function of the plantar fascia is to absorb the loads that fall on the foot. But at a certain point, the fascia cannot withstand the loads, and tears and inflammation of the fascia occur.

Symptoms

Although many patients with plantar fasciitis have a heel spur, the spur does not always cause pain. Almost 10% of adults have spurs, but only 5% have foot pain. And therefore, the treatment of heel pain, most often, does not require the removal of the spur.

The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis are:

• Pain in the lower part of the foot near the heel
• Pain on first steps after getting out of bed in the morning, or after a long period of rest, such as after a long car ride. Pain lessens after a few minutes of walking
• Increased pain after (not during) exercise or physical activity.

Heel spurs often cause no symptoms. But heel spurs can lead to occasional pain or chronic pain – especially when walking or jogging if inflammation develops at the site of the spur. In general, the cause of the pain is not the heel spur itself, but trauma to the soft tissues of this spur.

Many patients describe heel spur pain and plantar fasciitis, like a pin sticking out of the bottom of the foot when they get up in the morning and this pain later becomes a dull ache. Also characteristic is the complaint that acute pain also appears immediately when standing up, after sitting for a long period of time the presence of mobility restrictions in the foot. To verify the diagnosis, instrumental methods of research may be required. Radiography provides a clear image of bone tissue. This research method makes it possible to exclude other causes of heel pain, such as a fracture or arthrosis. The heel spur is well visualized on x-ray.

MRI is a very informative research method that allows you to visualize well not only the bone tissues of the foot, but also soft tissues (ligaments, cartilage tissue), which is important in diagnosing damage to the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon or cartilage tissue damage in arthritis.

Ultrasound examination is also widely used for diagnosis of heel spurs and plantar fasciitis and, although it is inferior to MRI in image quality, but given the complete safety, it can be used quite often, for example, to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

Treatment

Heel spur treatment can be conservative or surgical. In 90% of patients with plantar fasciitis (heel spur), conservative treatment is effective within 10 months.

Conservative methods of treatment include:

Drug treatment includes the use of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, voltaren, naproxen), which can be used both orally in the form of tablets and topically, in the form of ointments, gels containing NSAIDs. In some cases, it is possible to use injections of corticosteroids, which allows you to quickly remove the inflammatory process. A corticosteroid may be injected into the plantar fascia to reduce inflammation and pain. But repeated steroid injections can lead to rupture of the fascia, and therefore the use of steroids must be clearly indicated.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). During this treatment, powerful sound wave pulses break up the calcium deposits in the heel spur and stimulate the regeneration process in the plantar fascia.