Spur is a bone bite between the heel bone on the plantar side of the calcaneus. It puts pressure on the tendons and ligaments so badly that inflammation develops under the influence of this. The heel hurts so much that you can hardly walk. Pain and sensitivity of the heel on the side of the sole intensify when walking.
Causes of spur
The causes of emergence are not fully recognized. However, the main culprit is overload or heel injury, especially when it causes frequent inflammation and calcification of the foot ligaments (the so-called plantar aponeurosis). This process often leads to the formation of osteonecrosis called spur. In case of difficulty in diagnosis - the image of the ligament calcification is determined on the basis of the X-ray of the foot bone.
Factors conducive to heel injuries
Frequent and intense sports - running, playing sports (tennis, volleyball, jogging, etc.). This type of effort causes strain on the heel area and inflammation that contributes to calcification of the heel ligaments and emergence.
Prevention
Patients should take care of their proper weight and wear shoes with low heels and soft soles, with rigid heels, wide toes and an insert supporting the arch of the raise. Efforts that permanently overload the feet should also be avoided. Orthopaedists often recommend physical therapy to relieve inflammation and some pain. Prevention and treatment of calcaneal spurs is very important as it is possible that unpleasant complications in the form of cross or knee pain caused by constant limping.
Treatment of painful heel spur
This condition is very difficult to treat. The rule is therefore supervision over the orthopedic doctor's therapy. The doctor will usually order soft under-heel pads or special orthopedic insoles. As the pain intensifies, anti-inflammatory and analgesics as well as steroid preparations injected into the affected place are used. Daily foot gymnastics and wearing heel insoles are helpful in combating pain. In exacerbation, cold compresses bring relief to the heel area (several times a day for about 10 minutes). Surgical treatment is very rarely necessary
Surgical treatment
Usually, the symptoms disappear after conservative treatment. Surgical treatment involves the removal of bone spurs. Operationally, the spurs are removed mainly when they significantly grow and deform the feet.
Constant contact with a doctor requires:
Long-term persistence of heel pain, especially the persistence of these symptoms despite treatment.
Take care of the right weight and footwear
Remember that your foot and heel feel the weight of your body very well. What you carry every day - it prints on your heel every now and then! So check your weight. If you carry a lot of extra weight, check your weight and lose weight. Your footwear also plays an important role. Choose shoes (or sandals) that have properly profiled insoles and support the heel well.
