6 Reasons You Shouldn’t Assume Foot Pain Is a Heel Spur – Cleveland Clinic

If you feel pain in your heel, you might think you have a heel spur. It’s a common assumption — and a heel spur can cause foot discomfort. However, only 50% of people who have heel spurs actually feel any pain because of it.

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“A heel spur can be an incidental finding on an X-ray. You can have one even if you don’t have heel pain,” Dr. Davis says. “When we’re treating people, we don’t focus on the spur because often the spur doesn’t have to go away for the pain to resolve,” says orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon Alan Davis, MD.

A heel spur won’t trouble you
unless it is prominent beneath your foot, and you can feel it under the
skin. If you concentrate too much on a heel spur, you could miss the true
underlying problem, he says.

Where
does the pain start?

The foot is a complex
structure of ligaments, tendons and bones. So heel and foot pain can come from
a variety of sources, Dr. Davis says.

“Oftentimes, it’s not related to having a heel spur. Plantar fasciitis or any other condition that causes inflammation around the heel can cause heel pain,” Dr. Davis says.

Dr. Davis says the first step
is to understand where in the foot you feel the most pain: Is it in the heel, arch or toes?
It’s important for the diagnoses and treatment to understand where a person
feels the most tenderness.

What’s
causing your foot pain?

1. Repetitive overuse. This is a leading cause of heel pain. People at risk are those who walk heavily on their feet, run long distances, or carry extra weight. You are also susceptible to heel bone inflammation and discomfort if you have a tight Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone.
2. Impact injuries. These can cause deep bruises on either the fat pad or the ball of the foot that make it feel like you’re walking on a pebble. Heel bone fractures — either from a fall from a significant height or new, rigorous or repetitive overuse — can also cause pain.
3. Running, jumping or other strenuous activities. These can cause discomfort and inflammation in the ball of the foot.
4. Wearing high heels. Morton’s neuroma, most commonly found in women who wear high heels, is a thickening of tissue around the nerve between the bases of the toes. It leads to foot pain, and sensations of pain numbness in the ball of the foot.
5. Arch pain. Arch pain, most often from plantar fasciitis, affects the heel and arch of the foot. Pain is usually more noticeable first thing in the morning or when one starts to walk after sitting for long periods of time, which is also called “start-up pain.”
6. Other assorted causes. Inflammation and swelling from arthritis can often cause pain. Arthritis typically affects the middle part of the foot and big toe joint. However, bunions, hammer toe, claw toe, turf toe and ingrown toenails can also cause discomfort.

Getting
back on your feet

Full recovery from heel pain
takes, on average, six months to resolve with appropriate treatment, Dr. Davis
says. But the odds are in your favor – only about 5% of people fail to improve
with some form of treatment. You can help yourself by following these tips:

Stretch. “Most heel pain syndromes have
similar treatment – the mainstay is a home stretching program,” Dr. Davis
says. “We teach people to stretch daily with good technique and frequency.”
Using a night splint to keep the ankle at 90 degrees can help the morning pain,
and make the first morning stretching session easier.

Wear appropriate
shoes for your activity. “If
you’re going running, wear running shoes. If you’re going on a hike, wear
hiking shoes,” Dr. Davis says. “Wear the appropriate
footwear for whatever activity you’re doing to help support your foot
properly.”

Buy the right shoes. Choose shoes that don’t rub over any
part of the foot or against any bunions or bone prominence. Use extra padding
or arch support to alleviate sore bones and relieve pressure.

Show your feet some
love. Take
anti-inflammatories and ice your foot for pain. Wear over-the-counter arch
supports to cushion your feet and absorb the shock of each step.

If these tactics don’t work, Dr. Davis recommends minimizing impact loading activity as much as possible. Immobilization boots can take stress off the foot and ankle, and crutches or a cane can reduce the weight you put on your feet.

Still no better? There are minor office interventions like injections that can help decrease inflammation, he adds.

Heel Spurs: Treatment, Causes & Symptoms

What are heel spurs?

Heel spurs (calcaneal spurs) are bony bumps of calcium deposits that form on the heel bone. They are often the result of high prolonged
periods (months and years) of stress being placed on the tendons that attach to the heel bone. The protrusions often occur in
conjunction to, or as a result of Achilles
tendinopathy
and plantar fasciitis, as the tendon’s involved
with these conditions are attached to the heel bone and repetitively “pull” on the bone. This causes micro trauma and the
body attempts to heal itself by creating more bone, becoming these calcified protrusions known as heel spurs. 

Causes

Like Achilles tendinopathy & plantar
fasciitis,
heel spurs develop from overuse or over training. This training puts extra strain on the muscles and ligaments around the
heel and ankle, which eventually puts excessive strain on the heel bone, causing these spurs. 

The most common causes of heel spurs include: 

• Overuse and over-training 
• Inadequate footwear for activity, worn out footwear and high heels
• Poor levels of strength, mobility and flexibility in the lower limbs
• Muscle imbalances and dysfunction
• Rigid feet with poor mobility and flexibility that are inadequate to absorb shock 
• Excessive pronation of the ankle and feet 
• Leg length difference 
• Bowed or knocked knees 
• Abnormal walking and running patterns that place extra stress on the heel bone and ligaments
• Achilles tendinopathy and plantar
  fasciitis

Who is at risk?

If you’ve had plantar fasciitis or Achilles
tendinopathy
for over 6-8 weeks, then you’re at a higher risk of developing heel spurs.  

Considering this, there are also specific groups of people that, if they have one of these conditions, are also more likely to develop heel
spurs than others:

• Women who wear high heeled shoes, which can shorten the Achilles tendon over time.
• Older people as over time the flexibility of the plantar fascia decreases and the heel’s protective fat pad that helps to
  cushion and protect the heel bone also thins.
• Active runners, joggers and jumpers as more strain will be placed on the heel bone during training, especially if
  training on hard surfaces and for many years. 

Symptoms

The thought of increased bone creation may sound uncomfortable and painful, however, it’s not usually the heel spurs that cause your heel
pain. Instead, the pain you feel is most likely connected to a pre-existing condition like plantar
fasciitis
or Achilles tendinopathy.  

Common symptoms associated with the condition include:

• Pain in the heel of either one or both feet. The pain can be a sharp, throbbing or a dull ache.
• Pain when walking barefoot or struggling to walk barefoot.
• You might be able to feel a small, bony bump on the bottom or back of your heel.
• Tenderness.
• Stiffness of the foot and ankle joints.
• Pain with activity and daily living.
• Numbness, burning and tingling if the nerves are impacted by the spur.
• Limited range of motion and mobility in joints.

There’s also the chance that you may not experience any symptoms that relate to heel spurs. Some can go unnoticed and will only be
picked up through an X-ray or other tests done for another foot related issue. 

Diagnosis

We diagnose a heel spur by taking into account your signs and symptoms and the history of the injury, as well as perform a physical
assessment. If we suspect a heel spur, we will refer for X-ray imaging.

Treatment

Our treatment pathways for heel spurs are dependent on your signs and symptoms. If it is painless then our first course of action is to
simply monitor for any changes. 

Commonly, heel spurs are not the source of pain so it is important to identify the real cause of your heel pain and begin, or continue,
treatment for that condition (e.g. plantar
fasciitis
or Achilles tendinopathy).
Often, treatment of the underlying condition will help to resolve your pain and heel spur surgery will not be required. 

If it’s identified that you’re experiencing heel pain due to another condition, then the following
treatments may be required to help control your symptoms:

• A strengthening & stretching program,
  especially focusing on the joints and muscles in your feet and ankles.
• Adapt and modify your training program.
• Gait re-training to fix any biomechanical issues that could be contributing to the
  injury.
• Supportive footwear with cushioning soles.
• Custom prescribed foot
  orthotics may
  be recommended to offload the sore, overused structures and soft tissues.
• Foot and ankle strapping.
• Foot mobilisation technique to mobilise the joints and bones of the foot and ankle to facilitate restoration of
  movement.
• Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive
  effective therapy that accelerates and facilitates the healing process. It works by emitting high energy acoustic wave pulses directly
  into the injured area. These waves stimulate;
  • New blood vessel and collagen formation 
  • Increased blood flow 
  • Resolution of calcium build up 
  • Pain reduction 
• Dry needling of surrounding soft tissues structures
  to release tension in the muscles, by targeting trigger points.  

Surgery is rarely advised, however, if these conservative treatments fail to reduce your heel pain it may be required as a last
resort. 

The fact of the matter is, heel spurs do not go away without surgery, but if it’s not causing you pain, then you have nothing to worry
about and you can continue to live a normal life with your heel spurs.

What happens if I ignore my heel spur?

It is important to address the cause of your heel pain. If you ignore this pain for too long you could end up in a moon boot for an
extended period of time, or surgery may be required. You will also have a prolonged healing period which may prevent you from exercising and
completing your daily activities. 

Prevention

There are a number of factors you can implement that will help to reduce your risk of developing heel spurs:

1. Wear properly fitting shoes with cushioned soles that help to absorb shock.  
2. Choose appropriate footwear for the activity.
3. Warm up and stretch before exercise or activities.
4. Don’t push through any heel pain as this can lead to long-term issues. If you’re experiencing pain, rest and ice the area and see a
   podiatrist if the pain persists. 

FAQs

How do I get rid of heel spurs?

A heel spur is often a secondary injury caused by a pre-existing tendon or muscle injury like plantar
fasciitis
or Achilles tendinopathy. So in fact,
it’s this pre-existing condition that is often causing your heel pain. Diagnosing the true cause of your heel pain and effectively
treating the condition should resolve any symptoms you may be experiencing from your heel spurs. 

If it does not, surgery may be required as a last resort. 

Book an appointment with one of our podiatrists to ensure you’re getting the correct diagnosis and treatment plan from the beginning.  

Heel spurs: Do they always cause pain?

No. It’s possible to have a heel spur — a bony growth that usually begins on the front of your heel bone and points toward the arch of your foot — without realizing it. Heel spurs don’t always cause pain. In fact, heel spurs often show up unexpectedly on X-rays taken for some other problem.

Heel spurs occur in at least half the people who have plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis), a painful condition involving the thick tissue that runs between your heel bone and your toes.

In the past, doctors often performed surgery to remove heel spurs, believing them to be the cause of the pain associated with plantar fasciitis. In treating plantar fasciitis now, doctors rely more on ice, arch supports (orthotics), physical therapy and pain medications, and surgery is rarely performed.

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Show references

1. Frontera WR. Plantar fasciitis (heel spur syndrome). In: Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2015. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 22, 2016.
2. Buchbinder R. Plantar fasciitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Sept. 22, 2016.
3. DeLee JC, et al. Heel pain and plantar fasciitis: Hindfoot conditions. In: DeLee & Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2015. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 22, 2016.

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Are Heel Spurs Causing You Foot Pain?

Heel spurs refer to potentially painful calcium deposits that develop on the underside of the heel bone. Spurs often occur as a secondary condition of plantar fasciitis.

For some patients, these deposits don’t cause any discomfort. For many more, however, heel spurs can result in significant, even debilitating, pain. Left untreated, spurs in the heel can limit your activity significantly, with many patients unable to bear any weight on the affected foot.

Causes and Risks of Heel Spurs

Excessive stress or stretching on the plantar fascia (a thick, flat ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes) can cause small tears in the membrane covering the heel. As a result, calcium deposits can build up slowly over a period of months or years. When these deposits grow large enough, they press into the heel pad, causing pain and related symptoms.

Although bone spurs in the heel are more common in older patients, they can strike at any age.

This condition is common in runners and other athletes whose sports require jumping. Weightlifters and those who work on their feet extensively face increased risk, as do patients who are overweight or have collapsed arches. Gait abnormality can also cause this condition, due to the excessive pressure placed on the structures of the foot.

Inappropriate, excessively worn or poorly fitted footwear are other common contributors this condition.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Heel Spurs

Heel spur pain can be chronic or intermittent. For many patients, the pain is most intense first thing in the morning — many patients liken it to a sharp, stabbing sensation — but abates to a dull ache over the course of the day. If inflammation is present, the pain will become more pronounced when standing, walking or jogging.

If a confirmatory diagnosis has not yet been made but symptoms are present, this condition is referred to as heel spur syndrome.

To diagnose this condition, the doctor will take a detailed medical history and learn more about your pattern of activity. A manual examination of the affected foot will be performed to identify specific areas of pain. X-rays are often ordered to rule out other potential causes and identify complications. Ultrasound imaging may be used to look for any problems with the plantar fascia itself and to identify the extent of damage or scarring.

Heel Spur Treatment and Prevention

Conservative treatment is the preferred approach for addressing bone spurs in the heel. The RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) are combined with stretching, physical therapy and strapping or taping the foot to support the muscles. Orthopedic shoe inserts are also highly effective for eliminating the pain and preventing recurrence.

If the problem persists, minimally invasive treatments such as guided injection therapy, including platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) and related regenerative medicine techniques, are highly effective for treating this condition.

If pain does not resolve with less-invasive treatment, however, heel spur surgery may be necessary to remove the bony growths. Fortunately, this is required for only a small percentage of patients today.

You can prevent this problem by wearing well-fitted shoes that are appropriate for your activities. Shoes wear out and break down more rapidly than most patients realize. If you are active, purchasing a new pair of high-quality shoes every six months — or sooner if they no longer provide adequate support — will prevent many common orthopedic problems of the foot and ankle.

Be sure to warm up and stretch before physical activities and avoid overdoing any one activity or sport.

If you are experiencing lower limb pain, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treating the feet and ankles can have you back on your feet in no time, enjoying the activities you love. Contact us today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Hunter for an evaluation of heel spurs and plantar fasciitis.

Dr. Hunter has made numerous professional research presentations, and he has been published in many peer reviewed medical journals. He is a member of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Dr. Hunter has a special interest in the foot and ankle. He treats sports and traumatic injuries, arthritis, and other conditions which affect the feet.

Signs of a Heel Spur

Heel spurs are bony growths that protrude from underneath the heel bone. While heel spurs often form alongside plantar fasciitis, they can also form on their own. Either way, heel spurs do have similar symptoms to plantar fasciitis. These symptoms include pain and tenderness under the heel (particularly while bearing weight), pain that is worse in the mornings, and worsening symptoms while running or walking. Heel spurs are generally only discovered through X-rays. They can be very painful, but they also may not be noticed at all. As the fat pad under the heel wears out, heel spurs tend to become more painful.  Patients who are struggling with heel pain should consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis of their pain.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact one of our podiatrists from Boca Raton Podiatry . Our doctors will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition’s spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our office located in Boca Raton, FL . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

Read more about How to Treat Heel Spurs

Heel Spurs Treatment | Foot Doctor Sioux Falls, SD 57106

Heel spurs: Symptoms and Risk Factors

Signs that you may have a heel spur include pain felt in the heel region, swelling at the front of the heel, and inflammation. If the affected area also feels warm to the touch, you may be experiencing the symptoms of a heel spur. Heel spurs are extremely uncomfortable and can often lead to a great deal of pain if left untreated. They may develop due to excess body weight, complications with arthritis, wearing poorly fitted shoes, and bruising of the heel.

Causes of Heel Spurs and their Prevention

A heel spur takes the form of a bony-like growth. This is due to a calcium deposit that extends between the heel bone and foot arch. They can grow up to half an inch in length; however, they may not be outwardly visible. Because heel spurs tend to grow, increasing the overall discomfort felt, it’s important that you seek professional help as soon as pain is experienced for early detection.

It is possible to have a heel spur without showing signs of any symptoms. However, if inflammation develops at the point of the spur’s formation, you may have pain while walking or running. In terms of diagnosis, sometimes all a doctor needs to know is that the patient is experiencing a sharp pain localized to the heel to diagnose a heel spur. Other times, an x-ray may be needed to confirm the presence of a heel spur.

Heel spurs can be prevented by wearing well-fitting shoes that have shock-absorbent soles. You should also be sure that you are choosing the right shoe for the activity you want to partake in; for example, do not wear walking shoes when you want to go on a run. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight can be beneficial toward preventing heel spurs, as it will prevent an excess amount of pressure being placed on the ligaments.

Orthopedic shoes are specially designed footwear for people who suffer with foot problems. Orthopedics offer a rubber sole, which cushions the heel and adds comfort to those who suffer from heel spurs. Another simple way to help the pain of heel spurs is to elevate the ankle to diminish the pain. When elevating the ankle, the blood is not focused on that area of the foot and can bring some relief. When all these options have been attempted, and there is still no relief from heel spurs, or the heel spurs return, surgery can be the more dramatic and permanent way to rid patient of heel spurs.

For a proper diagnosis and recommendations for treatment, we suggest you consult with a podiatrist about any heel pain concerns.

Heel Spurs

The plantar fascia is a thick, fibrous layer of tissue that covers the bones on the bottom of your foot. It holds the foot bones in an arched position. Plantar fasciitis is a painful swelling of the plantar fascia.

A heel spur is an overgrowth of bone where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. The heel spur itself usually doesn’t cause pain. However, the heel spur might be a sign of plantar fasciitis which may cause your foot pain.

Plantar fasciitis can develop slowly or suddenly. It usually affects one foot at a time. Heel pain can feel sharp, like a knife sticking into the bottom of your foot. You may feel pain after exercising, long-distance jogging, stair climbing, long periods of standing, or after standing up.

Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include: arthritis, diabetes, obesity or recent weight gain, flat foot, and having high arches. Wearing high heels, loose shoes, or shoes with poor arch support adds to the risk.  

Foot pain is usually worse in the morning. But it improves with walking. By the end of the day there may be a dull aching. Treatment includes short-term rest and controlling inflammation. It may take up to 9 months before all symptoms go away. In rare cases, a steroid injection in the foot, or surgery, may be needed.

Home care

• If you are overweight, lose weight to help healing.

• Choose supportive shoes with good arch support and shock absorbency. Replace athletic shoes when they become worn out. Don’t walk or run barefoot.

• Premade or custom-fitted shoe inserts may be helpful. Inserts made of silicone seem to be the most effective. Custom-made inserts can be provided by a foot specialist, physical therapist, or orthopedist.

• Premade or custom-made night splints keep the heel stretched out while you sleep. They may prevent morning pain.

• Don’t do activities that stress the feet: jogging, prolonged standing or walking, contact sports, etc.

• First thing in the morning and before sports, stretch the bottom of your foot. Gently flex your ankle so the toes move toward your knee.

• Icing may help control heel pain. Apply an ice pack to the heel for 10 to 20 minutes as a preventive. Or ice your heel after a severe flare-up of symptoms. You may repeat this every 1 to 2 hours as needed.

• You may use over-the-counter pain medicine to control pain, unless another medicine was prescribed. Anti-inflammatory pain medicines, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may work better than acetaminophen. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease or ever had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, talk with your healthcare provider before using these medicines.

• Shoe inserts, a night splint, or a special boot may be needed. Use these as directed by your healthcare provider.

Follow-up care 

Follow up with your healthcare provider, physical therapist, or foot specialist as advised.

When to seek medical advice

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

90,000 Heel spur: symptoms and treatment

Heel spur – otherwise plantar fasciitis – is a disease associated with inflammation of the tendons, ligaments and muscles that are located in the heel area. Due to the inflammatory process, growths begin to form on the bone of the heel. As it grows, these growths dig into soft tissues, causing pain and severe discomfort when walking or standing still with the heel supported.

Interestingly, not all people experience similar symptoms even if they have a heel spur.Very often it is discovered suddenly – by doing an X-ray for some other reason.

Risk groups

Most often women suffer from this problem (probably due to wearing high-heeled shoes). Their percentage of all patients is 80%. The main age of the sick is more than forty years, but such a problem can be encountered at a younger age.

Symptoms

The main symptom of a heel spur is severe pain, which reduces a person’s quality of life.Moreover, it is not necessary that at the same time as the pain, the person will observe swelling or redness on the heel (although they may be present). If there is redness, then with your hands you can feel that this area of ​​the skin is warmer than the rest, which is associated with the development of inflammation.

Most often, the pain experienced by patients can be compared to the sensation of a nail in the heel. It is felt most strongly when a person steps on their feet for the first few times after a long rest or sleep.Then the leg gets used to it a little, the pain becomes a little less, and in the evening, due to the tortured state, it starts to hurt again more.

Symptoms of a heel spur develop in different ways. For some, they appear unexpectedly – just one morning a person gets out of bed and experiences terrible pain. In other patients, the situation is different: manifestations occur periodically, there may be periods of calm. In this case, signs of a heel spur indicate that the process has become chronic.

As a rule, trying to avoid pain and discomfort, a person begins to take care of the heel and not step on it again. Because of this, the gait changes greatly, it becomes uncomfortable to walk. Usually, a heel spur appears on one leg, but in rare cases it can develop on two at the same time.

Reasons

The reasons for the appearance of a heel spur include the following:

• Injury. Basically, such growths begin to form after jumping from a great height, when upon landing, the heel and surrounding tissues are damaged, and therefore inflammation begins.
• Flat feet. This reason is due to the fact that the load on the foot is not distributed correctly. As a result, the heel is subjected to more stress than in the correct position.
• Various joint diseases (eg rheumatoid arthritis), as well as sprains.
• Overload of the foot area associated with external influences. A very common situation is the wrong choice of shoes. And the problem is not only in heels – for example, narrow ballet flats and shoes with very thin soles are also undesirable for the heel.Overloading the feet is often associated with work, if a person stands or walks all day.
• Gout. With this disease, excessive salt deposition occurs, which affects all joints and bones.
• Diseases associated with circulatory disorders – for example, diabetes mellitus.
• STI. Chlamydia, gonorrhea and other infections affect the condition of the joints, and therefore a heel spur may develop over time.
• Natural changes in the body that are associated with age.Again, as the body ages, tissues become less healthy, perform their natural tasks less well, so the appearance of growths on the bones happens quite often.

It is not always possible to establish the exact cause of the problem – they are often revealed during other examinations or do not matter right now for the treatment of the disease.

Diagnostics

To make a diagnosis, you need to contact an orthopedist, orthopedic surgeon or a therapist, if it is not possible to immediately get to the specialists of the listed specialties.

The doctor interviews the patient, examines and probes the heel, and also prescribes an x-ray. This is usually enough to accurately identify the problem and start working with it.

Treatment

Different types of heel spur treatment are now used:

• Medication. It is aimed at relieving inflammation and pain while walking.
• MBST therapy. It is used to relieve puffiness, relieve pain, improve vascular function.
• Laser therapy. It is used to stimulate tissues, reduce swelling, eliminate inflammation and also relieve pain.
• Phonophoresis. The method combines the capabilities of a hormonal anti-inflammatory ointment and ultrasound. Under the action of the latter, the active substance of the ointment penetrates the heel more effectively and relieves inflammation very qualitatively.
• X-ray therapy. In the process of this method, the nerve endings near the heel spur are blocked – due to this, the pain when walking decreases or disappears.
• Shockwave therapy. It allows you to make sure that the build-up dissolves. This is a non-surgical treatment, which is often similar in effectiveness to surgery. True, a course of procedures will be required to achieve results.

Not always all of the listed methods work, and therefore there is one more option: the treatment of the heel spur with the help of surgical intervention. Typically, 5% of patients require this option.

An important point of treatment is also a change in lifestyle and additional recommendations from doctors, for example:

• Wear special orthopedic insoles to reduce stress on the heel.
• Periodically do contrasting foot baths and foot massage (strictly on the recommendation of the attending physician).
• Heel spur therapy (special gymnastics). They are needed to maintain blood vessels and muscles in good condition. From ordinary sports, people with such ailment are able to ride a bicycle, swimming. Gymnastics for the feet without stress on the heel is also useful.
• Diet to restore metabolism. As a rule, you need to concentrate on proper nutrition, eliminate excess salt and add enough clean water to the diet.

A lot has been written about the symptoms and treatment of the heel spur in various sources that promote folk, home treatment. As a rule, the proposed methods are useless and just waste the patient’s time. In more serious cases, when it comes to compresses with aggressive solutions, you can even get burned.

Do not experiment with treatment – sign up for the clinic of Medicina JSC in Moscow – our therapists and orthopedists are ready to offer you real treatment after a thorough examination.A disease such as a heel spur can always be defeated with proper attention and an integrated approach.

Prevention

Preventive measures in this case include the following:

• Timely treatment of all orthopedic diseases: diseases of the spinal column, flat feet, etc.
• Increased attention to the condition of the joints, the prevention of their diseases.
• Choosing the right shoe – no high heels, with a firm last but not too flat.
• Supplementing shoes with special insoles, which are selected with the assistance of an orthopedist.
• Moderate physical activity for the harmonious development of muscles, ligaments and joints.
• Elimination of foot overloads and injuries of a different nature (avoiding dangerous situations).
• Regular foot gymnastics.
• Weight control. Being overweight puts a significant strain on the heel area, which can contribute to the development of a spur.
• Proper nutrition with a sufficient amount of nutrients.

It is worth adhering to these recommendations already at a young age in order to exclude the risks of developing the disease in the future or to push the first signs of a heel spur much further in time.

Questions-answers

How to identify a heel spur?

Outwardly, it may not have any manifestations – usually the growth makes itself felt with acute pain.Sometimes it is visible only on x-rays, and the person does not experience any discomfort.

How to get rid of a heel spur?

Everything is individual. Some people are helped by the simplest methods, such as ointments and massage, while others need to resort to a course of shock wave therapy or even surgery.

Which doctor should I go to for a heel spur?

Such a disease is treated by an orthopedist, orthopedic surgeon, surgeon, therapist – it all depends on the characteristics of the clinic and the presence of certain specialists in it.If possible, you should immediately contact an orthopedist or orthopedic surgeon.

Heel spur – main causes, symptoms, treatment

Heel pain? It seems to be nothing serious – “it will hurt and pass”, at least many people think so at first. Meanwhile, it develops a heel spur, or plantar fasciitis – a pathology of an increase in the edges of the calcaneus from the side of the sole in the form of a blade or spur (hence the name). In this case, the load on the foot is also redistributed, the tendons are deformed and the place of their attachment to the bone becomes inflamed.

Main causes

The main cause of plantar fasciitis is called flat feet (according to statistics, in 90% of cases), but it is also a large person’s weight, previous diseases of the joints of the legs or spine, infectious lesions of the periosteum, and circulatory problems of the lower extremities. An important risk factor for a heel spur is the frequent or constant wearing of high-heeled shoes by women. In this regard, plantar fasciitis develops more often in women over 40 and in large cities.

Plantar fasciitis symptoms

During the development of the heel spur, the following symptoms gradually appear:

• pain when running and walking;
• pains are strongly expressed in the morning and evening, in the afternoon they subside;
• deterioration of the general condition of the body, accumulation of salts in the heel area, constant severe pain attacks;
• gait disturbance, inability to support at the site of pathology localization;
• mild swelling in the painful area.

Diagnostics and treatment

This pathology is diagnosed quickly, the main indicator is radiography and severe pain when pressing on the middle of the heel and its lateral zone. Sometimes a heel spur is found on x-rays of other areas. The treatment of this disease is a complex of measures, but the most effective and efficient, tested in our center, are:

1. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (SWT is one of the best methods of treating fasciitis, in which waves, as it were, massage the pathology site from the inside).The heel is subjected to low frequency wave shocks for approximately 7 minutes.
2. Introduction of glucorticosteroid drugs (injections) for anesthesia of the site of localization of pathology – diprospan, prednisolone, kenalog, etc.
3. Special physical exercises – physiotherapy exercises.

The doctor makes the final choice of treatment depending on the severity and duration of the pathology. In addition, during treatment, physical activity should be minimized, during sleep, use a special heel prosthesis to firmly fix it, wear only shoes with an orthopedic insole and, if possible, use a stick, cane or crutch while moving.

Heel spur, treatment, removal of heel spur in Yekaterinburg

In the familiar world of worries, work and other things, we do not think how valuable is what is always with us. We only notice when it fails. So it happens with the feet. We walk, run somewhere all the time and hurry, we don’t care about the health of our feet. As the saying goes, “yes, okay.” But in vain.

The foot in our body experiences the greatest overloads when walking, standing, jumping, etc. It is arranged in a complex way, it has several arches, which are created by bones, ligaments, muscles.All this is necessary to create “springing”, to distribute the load on the entire foot, to soften the impacts when walking.

Sometimes, under certain circumstances (increased physical activity, incorrect redistribution of the center of gravity by a person), the ligaments of the foot do not withstand the loads, micro-tears, micro-injuries occur in them. All this leads to swelling of the soft tissues of the foot (especially on the sole), a disease such as plantar fasciitis or, as it is called, “heel spur” occurs.You will immediately understand that something is wrong with your foot, the spur is painful! Treatment of a spur in the heel is mandatory, otherwise it can lead to uncontrollable consequences!

The problem is that the process itself, the source of the pain, is very deep in the heel. Dry skin with a fat pad underneath will simply not miss a single medicine applied on top. Deep methods of treatment / removal of the problem are needed!

Our methodology

Our technologies allow you to eliminate the cause of pain in a short time.Yes, exactly the reasons. It has been proven that only shock wave therapy can cure this ailment. Treatment for a heel spur is performed by UVT in collaboration with a laser and taping.

Thanks to the use of new technologies, we will get rid of these pains, if not forever, then for many years. Removal of the heel spur of the feet is possible and permanent in some cases. It all depends on the patient’s own resources.

The main thing after treatment is to choose the right insoles correctly and follow all the doctor’s recommendations.

What is the cost of effective therapy for spurs at the Spine Team medical center in Yekaterinburg? The price depends on the selected procedures and their quantity. To make an appointment for a specialist consultation, call: +7 (343) 286-80-24.

90,000 causes, symptoms and methods of treatment of the disease

How to cure a heel spur.

Like a nail in the heel:

how to cure a heel spur

Acute pain in the area of ​​the foot, which most often manifests itself in the morning and bothers people over 40, is a chronic inflammation of the plantar (plantar) fascia or heel spur.A heel spur, or plantar fasciitis, is a bony growth on the surface of the calcaneus (exostosis) that protrudes as a thorn and compresses soft tissue.
Consider how the disease manifests itself and what causes the heel spur, and also learn how to diagnose and treat acute pain in the foot that causes discomfort.

Causes of the heel spur

Excessive stress on the foot and microtrauma to the fascia lead to severe pain and inflammation in the plantar region of the foot.In a healthy body (especially in young people), such microdamages heal quickly. If the body does not have time to restore the plantar fascia tissue, it begins an inflammatory process that provokes swelling and pain. At this stage, there may still be no bone growth, as long as there is only inflammation of the soft tissues. Further, the cells of the fascia begin to ossify under the influence of calcium, which is rich in fascia. In conditions of damage to the fascia, calcium ceases to settle and calcium deposition (exostosis) is formed.
Thus, among the first reasons for the formation of a heel spur is the natural aging process of the human body and tissue microtrauma. A heel spur is found as an anatomical feature in middle-aged and elderly people. Quite often, the ailment worries women over 40.
Athletes are also at risk for the incidence of plantar fasciitis. Excessive physical exertion on the legs causes overload and improper formation of the feet (for example, flat feet).Especially if the athlete trains without properly selected shoes and exposes the feet to a jump-shock load.
The development of the inflammatory process is also facilitated by metabolic disorders and obesity, chronic inflammatory diseases of the joints (arthritis, polyarthritis), spinal injuries that violate the axial load.

Symptoms

The disease makes itself felt with acute cutting pain in the heel. Painful sensations occur more often on the plantar surface, less often on the back surface of the bone, can be given to the toes, the muscles of the legs.In this case, the increase does not immediately cause painful sensations. The intensity of pain and discomfort depends on the location of the bone growth. The more superficial to the nerve endings the bone spike is, the stronger the pain.
At first, patients attribute the painful sensations in the feet to chronic leg fatigue. However, over time, acute pain may occur after rest. This symptom is called “starting” pain that occurs in the morning after getting out of bed. Trying to avoid discomfort, the patient tries not to step on the heel, which provokes a change in gait and posture and provokes new ailments in the musculoskeletal system – transverse flat feet, curvature of posture, back pain, the formation of a “bone” at the base of the big toe.
Over time, the painful sensations intensify with exertion, the attacks may not end, and the painful process is permanent. In the future, the heel spur runs the risk of leading to serious inflammatory processes and even disability. That is why doctors do not recommend postponing the treatment of the disease and hushing up the symptoms of the disease.

Make an appointment with the orthopedic traumatologist Ondar Temir Evgenievich and you will receive an effective treatment program :

Diagnostics and treatment

There is a common misconception that a heel spur can be cured with folk remedies.One has only to go to the Internet, and you can easily find a lot of articles on this topic. In fact, only a specialist, an orthopedic traumatologist, will help to get rid of the disease. After an X-ray examination, he will determine the location of the spur, its causes, features and prescribe treatment.

To effectively cure a heel spur, you first need to:

• to reduce the load on the heel and give preference to physiological, ergonomic and comfortable shoes, preferably with orthopedic insoles;
• to cleanse the tissues of the plantar region from the resulting excess of dead cells by increasing blood flow and lymph flow;
• improve the work of the calf muscles with the help of physiotherapy exercises;
• fight overweight, if any;
• timely treat diseases of the spine and musculoskeletal system.

Medical treatment of heel spur

Modern medicine has many schemes for the pharmacological treatment of this ailment, namely:

• non-steroidal drugs;
• gels and ointments;
• anti-inflammatory drugs and patches.

If these methods are ineffective, blockade injections can be prescribed, which quickly relieve pain and stop inflammation.

Physiotherapy treatments for heel spurs

Any drug therapy is effectively enhanced by physiotherapy procedures:

• Shockwave therapy – directly affecting bone growth. The main effect is the reduction or even resorption of the spur.
• Phonophoresis – reducing inflammation, swelling and pain, washing out calcium deposits.
• Laser therapy – exposure to a low-intensity infrared laser.
• Radiation therapy – treatment with x-ray gamma radiation.
• Physiotherapy and massage. The key effect is to improve blood flow, stretching the fascia in the morning to prevent micro-tears when walking.

Where to go for help

Experts note that the problem of treating heel spurs today is quite successfully solved, which means that the number of surgical treatment of the disease can be minimized. In this case, the main thing is not to postpone the visit to the doctor indefinitely and seek help at the initial stages of the manifestation of the disease.

Specialists of the sports and rehabilitation center “New Step” will help you to carry out high-quality diagnostics and provide qualified assistance in the treatment of heel spurs.

You can sign up for a consultation by calling +7 (495) 477-55-40 or via online feedback form .

Sports and Rehabilitation Center “New Step”:
our main goal is to return you the joy of an active life!

Calcaneal spur.Treatment of the disease in the center Green clinic

Plantar fasciitis, or heel spur, is caused by abnormalities in the fascia, the back of the foot, which is made up of connective tissue.
It is the fascia that takes on the main load while walking. At the junction of this part of the foot with the heel bone, salt deposits can form, which injure the thin connective tissue. This is accompanied by tangible pain when pressing on the heel, and in advanced cases, the patient loses the ability to walk normally due to the growth of bone tissue.
The risk group includes

• women after 45 years,

90,025 women who have had multiple pregnancies, 90,026
90,025 people working in high physical activity, 90,026

• professional athletes
• people suffering from obesity or hormonal disorders

Signs and symptoms of heel spur
The most accurate method for diagnosing pathology in the early stages is X-ray. The image will show a bone-salt formation in the form of a thorn, hook or eminence on the heel bone.In later stages, plantar fasciitis can be detected by feeling the heel: the growth will protrude under the skin.
The larger the spur, the more discomfort it causes. The first sign of the disease is pain that occurs when pressing on the heel. With the development of pathology, they become more and more intense, forcing the patient to change gait in an attempt to shift the body weight from the heel. You can also notice symptoms such as redness of the skin in the spur area, a feeling of numbness.

Heel spur massage at Green Clinic

The Green Clinic offers a comprehensive heel spur treatment using advanced massage techniques.At the initial stage, the patient undergoes an examination, which allows doctors to obtain complete information about the disease and choose the best method of treatment. The manipulations are performed by qualified specialists with extensive practical experience. The intensity and types of impact are selected individually, taking into account many factors:

• stage of the disease;
• intensity of painful sensations;
• the size of the heel spur;
• condition of adjacent tissues and others.

The procedures are carried out in the most comfortable environment for the patient. The massage rooms of our Center are cozy and light, equipped with comfortable couches, tatami mats, and the staff is friendly and attentive.
To make an appointment for a consultation on the treatment of heel spurs, call the phone numbers indicated on the website or use the online form. Contact us and we will do our best to return you the joy of a fulfilling life without pain!

The main reasons for the appearance of pathology experts call the following:

• excess weight and excessive stress on the feet;
• musculoskeletal system injuries;
• gait defects;
• susceptibility to salt deposition;
• constant wearing of substandard or incorrectly fitted shoes,
• hormonal disorders
• other negative factors.

Heel spur. Treatment

Massage in the treatment of heel spurs

The best result is achieved by the complex treatment of plantar fasciitis, one of the components of which is massage. During this physiotherapy procedure, the following positive effect is achieved:

• blood supply and metabolic processes in the affected tissues are activated;
• natural regeneration processes are started;
• muscle spasms are removed, puffiness, a feeling of stiffness is eliminated;
• the intensity of the pain syndrome decreases.

The massage is performed manually and using special devices (eg Thai sticks).

The optimal course is 5-10 procedures. The decision to conduct additional sessions is made based on the dynamics of the disease.

Heel spur. Treatment services

Cost of treatment

Extract from the general price list. Information about the cost of other services can be obtained by calling 8 (995) 905-03-03. Please check in advance the list of services and their cost.Consultations of a doctor of the same specialization, within the framework of one disease, until the cure or removal of an exacerbation of a chronic disease, or the end of the diagnostic case (diagnosis) are considered repeated. In disputable cases, the status of the consultation is finally determined by the doctor at the appointment. Prices are given as a reference and are not a public offer. Thank you for understanding!

View all prices for services

90,000 prices for spur blockade in St. Petersburg

Heel spur is popularly called inflammation of the ligamentous apparatus in the area of ​​attachment of the Achilles tendon to the heel bone.This name arose because of the bone formation, which is felt at the site of inflammation and is clearly visible on the X-ray.

If the plantar fascia is inflamed, treatment with folk remedies may provide temporary relief. But complete recovery cannot be achieved by such methods. Delaying the initiation of full therapy often leads to a significant exacerbation of the disease.

Shock-wave therapy of the heel spur (UHT) is recognized as the most effective method for today, which is confirmed by positive statistics in 80% of cases of its use.

Treatment methods:

It is better to start the treatment of a heel spur with an appointment with an orthopedist.

• drug blockade (Diprospan or Dexamethasone), injection with another drug is possible in individual cases according to indications,
• autoplasma therapy,
• UHF-therapy,
• laser therapy,
• magnetic laser therapy.

Apparatus of the latest generations of medical technology are used at physiotherapy sessions for the treatment of heel spurs at the Movement clinic:

If you experience soreness in the heel area and there is a possibility that you have begun to develop a heel spur, the clinic doctor will prescribe a full examination using radiography and other effective methods of detecting the disease.

UHT allows you to remove the heel spur in several sessions, without the use of anesthesia and completely painless.

Causes and symptoms of the disease

The onset of a disease such as a heel spur is rarely accompanied by distinct symptoms. Most often, bone formation is discovered by chance, as a result of another examination.

An indicator of the presence of inflammation is pain that occurs in the heel during exertion, after a long stay in a sitting position, while walking on a hard surface, if a person has to stand for a long time, etc.In this case, the ambiguity of the pain syndrome cannot reliably indicate the nature and duration of the disease. Often a large bone mass does not cause noticeable pain, and a small one can cause severe discomfort.

How to cure a heel spur? – medical center Evolife

Heel spur treatment can be carried out both conservatively and operatively.

Conservative methods of heel spur treatment

Conservative treatment includes:

Unloading the foot , limiting the load on the lower extremities – reducing the duration of the standing and walking position.

Orthopedic treatments : It is possible to use unloading insoles / heel cushions and orthoses. These adaptations relieve pain and allow you to go about your daily activities without affecting your ability to work and your quality of life. Remember that orthopedic products have their own contraindications and are selected according to the doctor’s prescription.

Kinesiotherapy or exercise therapy with heel spur helps to restore the elastic plantar fascia and gastrocnemius muscle and muscle groups of the foot, as well as reduce the progression of the disease.

Massage of the muscles of the foot and lower leg also improves blood and lymph circulation, develops the musculo-ligamentous apparatus.

Phonophoresis pain relievers reduce pain symptoms by reducing inflammatory, edematous processes.

Shockwave therapy (SWT) allows, using low-frequency acoustic waves of large amplitude, to crush calcium deposits in the heel spur, thereby reducing muscle spasm, helps to reduce pain, reduce swelling, and also trigger the regeneration mechanisms of this area …Often used as an alternative to surgical treatment.

Drug treatment with a group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, prescribed by a doctor, to relieve pain.

Surgical treatment of heel spur

About Surgical treatment should be considered if, within 10-12 months, conservative methods of treatment do not give results and the condition only worsens.Any operation has its consequences and it is worth thinking about this method last.

In the postoperative period, it is important to refer to the rehabilitation process. In this case, it is recommended not to load the limb until the sutures are removed and the postoperative wound is completely healed. The load on the limb is given gradually, the orthopedic products discussed above are used, including U-shaped heel cushions, which contribute to faster recovery in the postoperative period.After a while, depending on the type of operation, for a better rehabilitation effect, it is recommended to undergo a course of physiotherapy and kinesitherapy

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