Heel pain- one of the common problems that most often worries pregnant women, elderly people, athletes, and schoolchildren. Sometimes you can easily cope with such pain; for this they make baths, compresses, and apply ointments. True, if the malaise is caused by some serious disease, you can get rid of the unpleasant sensations only after a full examination and identification of the root cause.
In young years, when, as usual, the legs do not bother them, they take it for granted and do not pay much attention to them. But as soon as any problem with the legs is discovered, we immediately begin to realize how much our life and our mood can greatly depend on it. Extremely unpleasant heel pain, which are so painful, can practically knock you out of your usual rut for a long time. After all, even a short walk becomes a real test of endurance.
Main causes of heel pain
There can be many causes of pain. And its source may not necessarily be a serious and intractable disease. Among the reasons that cause unpleasant pain in the heels may be external negative factors or various diseases.
The most known reasons:
- A sudden transition from high heels to completely flat soles that are not shock-absorbing at all can cause acute pain in the foot and heels.
- Often, the factor that provokes painful sensations in the legs, especially for women, can be wearing uncomfortable high-heeled shoes - stiletto heels. The load on the foot is distributed unequally. Part of the foot turns out to be “overloaded” - the toe and heel area are constantly under tension, and part is inactive. As a result, intense pain of a shooting nature appears in the heel.
- Heavy loads during sports training - if pain appears after jogging, then you need to temporarily switch to another type of muscle load.
- Injuries or bruises to the heel may be one of the causes of burning pain. The inflammatory process may not necessarily appear when the heel is damaged. Pain usually occurs when the ankle ligaments are damaged. When moving, you may feel as if a needle is sticking into your leg, which with each step is piercing deeper and deeper into the body. In this case, you should try not to step on the injured leg and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
- In the second half of pregnancy, a woman’s body weight increases from 6 to 18 kg. As a result, due to weight gain and poor circulation, pain may occur, which is usually felt when walking and in the evening. Thin girls are more prone to gain weight.
- Obesity and hormonal changes can cause sudden weight gain.
- Heel spurs are inflammation of the ligaments and peculiar bone growths on the plantar surface in the area of the heel bone. The main symptom of a heel spur is acute pain, which is felt especially when walking, in the morning, as soon as a person gets out of bed, upon palpation, deformation and swelling of the soft tissues are visually observed. The presence of a heel spur can be determined by ultrasound or by taking an x-ray of the foot.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a rare chronic disease that entails aggression of the immune system towards the joints of the spine and soft cartilage tissue. Inflammation in joints and bone tissue.
- Gout is characterized by inflammation of the joint tissues. The disease occurs due to metabolic disorders and causes the accumulation of uric acid salts in the joints. Often, the disease is caused by excessive consumption of salty and sour foods. Long-term unpleasant paroxysmal pain that goes away over time.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a joint disease that usually affects the lower extremities. Pain is felt when walking, and if the disease is advanced, even at rest.
- Intestinal infection and pathogens in the genitourinary system - these diseases often cause reactive arthritis, which progresses quite quickly. Infection from the genital organs moves lower.
- A malignant tumor quite often develops in the heel area. Initially, a small tubercle is formed, around which many dilated blood vessels appear. The tumor grows and hardens over time.
- Tibial nerve palsy paralyzes the muscles and makes it difficult to bend the foot and toes.
- Bone tuberculosis is a disease caused by the death of part of the skin. Subsequently, the disease affects the bone tissue, and the cartilage seems to melt.
- Cracked heels when walking cause a lot of inconvenience and discomfort. Deep cracks formed in the layer of hardened skin during inflammation cause acute pain and bleed, causing severe discomfort and making any walk painful and unbearable.
- Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation that develops in the fascia, a tough connective tissue membrane that is located in a wide strip along the surface of the sole of the foot. A common symptom of heel pain is usually caused by inflammation of the fascia where it attaches to the heel tuberosity. If fasciitis is not treated in a timely manner, calcium salts may be deposited at the site of chronic inflammation, leading to the formation of heel spurs.
- Reactive arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the joints, which can develop after suffering certain infections, most often after infectious diseases of the genitourinary system, intestinal infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Some pathogens that enter the body can cause pain in the feet and heels. In most cases, these are genital infectious diseases. Hidden microorganisms serve as a source of reactive acute inflammation in the heel tendon. With this disease, pain in the heel area is felt constantly, and is especially felt at night.
- Damage to the Achilles tendon and its inflammation are a common cause of severe pain above the heel. Such an injury usually occurs in professional athletes, although it can also occur in ordinary people in the event of severe physical exertion or an unsuccessful jump.
The most well-known and most common diseases that can cause heel pain are:
These diseases cannot be cured on your own, so you need to contact different specialists:
- rheumatologist;
- traumatologist;
- surgeon;
- phthisiatrician;
- oncologist;
- neurologist;
- orthopedist,
so that the doctor, during a medical examination and based on the nature of the pain, finds out the cause of the disease. This makes it easier to diagnose the disease and helps the doctor prescribe effective treatment to relieve pain.
Types of heel pain
Pain in the heel is divided into the following types:
1. Aching pain. In most cases, they occur due to rapid weight gain. Occurs in women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Very often, aching pain is caused by wearing uncomfortable shoes or high-heeled shoes. Often the cause of such pain is fasciitis - chronic inflammation of the ligamentous tissues that hold the bones in a certain position. Typically, this disease is experienced by people who are forced to stand on their feet for a long time and stand in one position - hairdressers, salesmen and surgeons.
2. Acute stabbing pain. Such pain is experienced by people suffering from gout, reactive arthritis, and fractures. With fractures, the heel becomes deformed and can skew to the right or left.
3. Heel pain when walking. If nothing bothers you at rest, but sharp pain occurs when you move, then it most likely could be inflammation of the Achilles tendon.
4. Heel pain in the morning. If it hurts to stand on your feet after waking up, then most likely it is a heel spur. The pain may subside after a short walk. Sometimes a heel spur can be a nuisance at night and cause sleepless nights.
5. Heel pain during pregnancy. As usual, they are aching in nature, and can occur at the end of the day. It is enough to walk for one hour, and pain occurs when putting stress on the heels. After childbirth and weight loss, the pain goes away.
6. Painful sensations at rest. As a rule, unpleasant sensations appear at the end of the working day and constant standing. My legs start to hurt a lot in the evening. If work activity is not associated with constant standing, then pain at rest can be triggered by infectious diseases of the genital organs or infectious intestinal diseases. Usually they can occur after an exacerbation of chronic diseases.
7. Postpartum heel pain. If there was no pain during pregnancy, and after labor was resolved, unpleasant pain in the heels began to appear, then most likely it could be damage to the lumbar nerve in the spine. Sometimes an incorrect course of labor can cause lameness in a woman in labor. This usually happens to women who have a very narrow pelvis or when a large baby is born.
8. Throbbing pain. With the appearance of throbbing pain and swelling in the heel area, one can judge the presence of a bacterial infection, which often occurs against the background of fasciitis or fungus.
9. Syndrome of burning pain in the heels, which develops with various forms of polyneuropathy. It is characterized by nagging muscle pain, burning sensations, muscle cramps, a feeling of numbness, tingling or “crawling” in the lower extremities while walking, and at times in the upper body – the shoulder and pelvic girdle. At rest, these symptoms are noticeably reduced.
Treatments for heel pain
If heel pain occurs, the most correct decision is not to delay and try to treat yourself, but to urgently consult a doctor for qualified advice to determine the cause of the disease and prevent the occurrence of various complications of this condition.
There are many medications, pharmaceutical ointments, as well as time-tested traditional treatments that are used to relieve pain in the heel. It is important only to select the most effective and correct means in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations, and to begin comprehensive treatment in a timely manner. 
Medications to treat heel pain
The appropriate medications are prescribed by a doctor, and if a drug relieves someone of heel pain, this does not mean that everyone who suffers from a similar illness should purchase it. This especially applies to tablets. Gels, solutions and ointments also need to be handled with care.
Characteristics of medications:
- Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs. Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieves pain, however, they cannot be used for a long time due to a great variety of side effects. Such drugs are produced in the form of a gel, they can quickly relieve pain, however, there is no therapeutic effect from such a drug, it cannot eliminate the cause of pain, and it is often prescribed by orthopedists to relieve pain. Preparations of this pharmacology, produced in ampoules, are intended for intramuscular injection and are used to treat chronic arthritis in the acute stage and for fasciitis.
- Anti-inflammatory analgesic antipyretic drugs. Available in ampoules for injection, as well as in the form of ointments, suppositories and tablets. It is most effective to use rectal suppositories, because they are quickly absorbed by the intestines and they have a minimal number of contraindications. The medicine does not eliminate the very cause of pain, but only blocks pain, reducing pain, relieves inflammation and fever. Used to treat symptomatic heel pain caused by arthritis, fasciitis, and heel spurs.
- Anti-inflammatory anesthetic and antimicrobial drugs of local action. Available in liquid form in bottles. It is used mainly in the form of a warming aqueous solution, which reduces pain symptoms through heat, and the medicine also relieves inflammation and swelling.
Folk remedies for treating heel pain
As a rule, people do not immediately turn to a qualified specialist for treatment, but use the recommendations of traditional healers and try to get rid of pain using traditional methods. In alternative medicine there are many simple and quite effective recipes for relieving heel pain and reducing inflammation. Most often, compresses, ointments, and baths using medicinal herbs are used.
Folk remedies:
- Pain in the heels can be relieved with contrast baths, alternating heat and cold. This is done using two basins of the same volume with cold and hot water, alternately dipping the feet first into cold and then into warm water. Instead of plain water, you can also use a decoction of chamomile. After this procedure, you can massage your heels.
- Using an ice bed with lemon juice. A small plastic bag filled with ice cubes made from diluted lemon juice, wrapped in a towel, is placed on the sore heels. The duration of the procedure is up to fifteen minutes. This “pillow” is used after heavy loads on the foot and sports training.
- You can localize heel pain caused by a spur with the help of marsh cinquefoil - a common and popular plant that has a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Thanks to this plant, the immune system is normalized and the process of removing salts from the body is accelerated. To prepare the medicine: one tbsp. l. dilute marsh cinquefoil tincture with 1/3 tbsp. water, drink orally 3 times a day before eating. The duration of the course is 20 days, then take a break for 10 days. If necessary, the course can be repeated.
- Walnut tincture, which is taken orally, helps relieve heel pain. The product is prepared from 20 gr. chopped walnuts, pour in 200 ml of vodka and infuse for 10 days. The medicine is taken one tablespoon 3 times a day before meals. Treatment with this folk remedy effectively relieves heel pain.
- Compresses with black radish help soothe pain in the heels, especially in the treatment of arthritis and heel spurs. To do this, grate the washed root vegetable along with the skin on a fine grater. Afterwards, the paste is spread on gauze and applied to the sore heel, then the compress is secured with a plastic bag and placed on top with an elastic bandage. The procedure can be done every day and left overnight. In the morning, rinse your feet with warm water. Treatment is carried out until complete healing.
- A tincture made from dried lilac flowers also helps to get rid of painful sensations in the heels. The plant needs to be infused with vodka in a ratio of 1/10 for ten days. Then strain and consume a teaspoon per 50 ml of boiled water 2-3 times a day. At the same time, you need to rub the sore spot at night.
- For heel pain, you can also use fresh knotweed grass, put it in your shoes, and walk with it throughout the day. In the morning the grass is changed to fresh.
Using ointments for heel pain
In traditional medicine, ointments prepared on the basis of:
- anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs. They are easy to apply to the affected area, they quickly relieve inflammation and pain. Among other things, they have minimal side effects because they are practically not absorbed into the blood. Used for muscle pain and joint diseases, the affected area must be lubricated with ointment three times during the day and lie down for a while until completely absorbed.
- Ointments based on anti-inflammatory substances are often used after joint surgery to relieve pain after injuries.
- Preparations based on phenylbutazone are effectively used for arthritis, gout, bursitis, and heel spurs. Medicines are applied to the skin with a thin film up to three times a day.
- The drug based on piroxicam anesthetizes and is quickly absorbed into the skin. The ointment is used after surgery, for closed heel fractures, as well as for the treatment of heel spurs; the medicine is applied three times a day.
Compresses for heel pain
For heel pain, compresses are often used, using ready-made pharmaceutical solutions or prepared independently. As a rule, hot pepper, vodka, garlic, cinnamon, medical alcohol and other warming products are used.
Compress recipes:
- A popular recipe using a grated onion and a spoon of pharmaceutical birch tar can cure heel pain. Apply a homogeneous onion mass in a thick layer to the heel. Cover the top with a cloth folded in three layers and secure with a bandage, leave the application for five hours. Rinse off with warm water. The procedure is carried out for five days in a row.
- Red hot pepper is used to create a warming effect. The red pepper pod along with the seeds are ground in a meat grinder. Add 30 ml of bee nectar to the pulp. All work must be done with gloves and protect your eyes. Place the mixture on a cloth and secure with a bandage, leave on the heel for at least 4, maximum 6 hours. After the compress, lubricate the skin with a rich cream. Hot pepper should not be used for wounds on the feet, cracks, or watery calluses.
- To prepare a garlic-based compress: grate five cloves and mix the mixture with crushed white school chalk. Apply the paste onto gauze and apply to the sore spot, leaving for three to five hours. The product should not be used on open wounds and cracked heels.
- An effective remedy for heel pain is a mixture of a tablespoon of honey, 50 milliliters of iodine and a teaspoon of fine salt. Apply the mixture to gauze and before going to bed, apply it to the affected area, cover the top with polyethylene and secure well with bandages, leave the bandage overnight. This amount of mixture is enough for five procedures, during which you can get rid of heel spurs if you have been diagnosed with this disease. For preventive purposes, repeat treatment after six months.
Potato compresses also help relieve heel pain:
1) Mash the potatoes boiled in their skins well, add 10 ml of Lugol and mix thoroughly. Apply the still hot mixture to the sore spot and, securing it with a gauze bandage, leave the compress until it cools completely. This compress can be used every day for a week.
2) Pour 30 ml of purified kerosene into the mashed potatoes cooked in their jackets. Apply the mixture to the sore spot and wrap it in cellophane. Put on socks on top and walk around for three hours. The course of treatment is 8-12 procedures.
– To prepare medicine from pharmacy bile, you need to mix 30 ml of the product and 20 ml of medical alcohol with a spoon of grated laundry soap. Apply the mixture to the sore spot and cover with a cloth. Keep the compress on for three to five hours. After the compress, wash your feet with warm water and massage. The course of treatment is 10 procedures.
– Traditional methods for pain relief also recommend a special cake made from honey and oatmeal. Place a cake on the steamed, affected leg and wipe it dry and secure it with a bandage. It is recommended to keep such a compress on the leg for as long as possible. The course of treatment is 10 procedures.
Treatment of heel pain with baths
Healing baths effectively help relieve foot discomfort, inflammation, and pain. Typically, sea salt, herbal infusions, as well as vegetables and fruits are used for baths.
Bath recipes:
- Pour a tablespoon of baking soda into a basin with 2.5 liters of warm water and pour in 20 ml of iodine. Dip your feet into the liquid and hold until the solution cools completely. It is not recommended to use the bath for fractures or bruises of the heel.
- Pour 20 g of dried nettle leaves into a liter of boiling water and cook for two minutes. Leave until completely cool and then reheat. Keep the heels in the strained broth until they cool completely. Carry out the procedure every day before going to bed.
- Grate the cabbage stalk, pour boiling water over it and boil for five minutes, then strain. Pour the broth into a bowl and add a small amount of hot water. Immerse your feet in a basin with the solution and hold for at least 15 minutes. Carry out the procedure the night before bedtime.
Preventing heel problems
First of all, you need to refrain from racing walking or running, because these sports are not very protective of your legs, in favor of cycling or swimming in the pool. It is important to bring your weight back to normal. After all, every additional kilogram harms not only the entire body, but also the heels, which need to withstand these extra pounds.
If there are even the slightest symptoms of flat feet, you need to buy special orthopedic insoles. They help keep the muscles and ligaments of the foot in normal condition, and at the same time protect the heel.
Give preference to comfortable shoes with low heels, up to five centimeters. A heel of this height allows you to slightly relieve the heel and not overstrain the foot.
In order to prevent leg diseases, it is very useful to regularly engage in special therapeutic exercises.
One of the most common causes of foot pain is a heel spur, and this disease can lead to long-term disability and even disability. Knowledge of the causes and conditions for the occurrence of heel spurs allows us to determine the most effective method of treatment. After all it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the disease, and not just treat its symptoms. Only in this case can you expect that the disease will not return after the next course of treatment.
Military Medical Academy named after. CM. Kirov, St. Petersburg;
biophysicist, full member of the Academy of Medical and Technical Sciences Fedorov V.A.
What is a heel spur?
A heel spur is an inflammation of the fascia on the plantar side of the foot. In medicine, this disease is usually called plantar (plantar) fasciitis.
The plantar fascia is a powerful connective tissue plate that stretches from the top of the heel bone (tubercle) across the entire sole over the muscles and is attached by four rays to the metatarsal bones of the toes. The fascia is in a taut state, like a bowstring, and supports the longitudinal arch of the foot, regulating the load on the leg when walking. It protects the moving bones and joints of the foot from injury and damage. Half of a person's body weight falls on the heel area and puts stress on the plantar fascia.
Due to excessive stress on this area, microtraumas of the fascia may occur, mainly at the site of its attachment to the heel bone. In a healthy body (especially in young people), these microdamages heal unnoticed. If the body does not have time to restore the tissue of the plantar fascia in a timely manner, it starts an inflammatory aseptic (microbial-free) process. Swelling and pain occur.
When heel pain occurs, the “spur” itself (bone growth) may not yet be there. Pain initially occurs due to the inflammatory response in the surrounding soft tissue and the process of destruction of the plantar fascia.
The cells of the plantar fascia are rich in calcium, and in case of their extensive death (mainly in the area of the heel tubercle, where the greatest load is), this calcium is deposited. The inflamed area ossifies and a bone formation is formed, shaped like a spur. It is this phenomenon that came to be called a “heel spur.”
However, this name for the disease can be misleading. In his study, the American doctor DuVries noted that an extensive heel spur (bone growth) is often observed, which does not cause any pain and is discovered by chance when diagnosing other diseases. Often, ossification itself is not a disease, but rather a normal age-related tissue change for the body. A spur may be present, but not be a pathology, and vice versa, a spur may not yet be present, but the process of painful inflammation is evident.
Symptoms and signs of heel spurs
Plantar fasciitis of the foot manifests itself heel pain. Pain sensations occur more often on the plantar surface, less often on the back surface of the bone, and can radiate to the toes and leg muscles. These symptoms may intensify in the evening or with prolonged walking or standing.
Despite the pain and tension experienced in the foot, the start of treatment is often delayed, as the sensations are attributed to tired legs. However, over time, the pain in the sole intensifies after rest. There are so-called “starting pains” at the beginning of the movement after rest or in the morning when getting up, after sleep.
Heel pain can occur suddenly or develop gradually. Often, a sharp pain is felt immediately when putting pressure on the foot; it seems as if something sharp has hit the heel. If the disease becomes chronic with the formation of a heel spur, the person tries to walk on tiptoes or rely only on the outer part of the foot, but not on the heel.
If you experience foot pain, it is important to consult a doctor promptly ( orthopedist-traumatologist or surgeon). There are a number of diseases that present with similar symptoms. Self-medication can lead to serious complications, including dysfunction of the foot, the formation of contractures (immobility of joints) and lead to disability.
Your doctor will also be able to identify additional factors that may have contributed to the development of heel spurs and heel pain. In this case, first of all, treatment of the underlying disease is necessary. You can read more about these factors.
A “heel spur” occurs when the process of damage to the plantar fascia begins to prevail over the process of its restoration.
Pain with plantar fasciitis (heel spur) is a protective reaction of the body. In this way, the body “urges” the person to protect damaged tissues from further injuries to the fascia and to give time for the proliferation of new cells in the area of necrosis.
The administration of painkillers (using an injection (blockade), phonophoresis, electrophoresis), the use of radiation therapy (x-ray therapy), when the nerve endings signaling pain are blocked, leads to rapid relief. As a result, the patient has the illusion of a “cure from the disease.” However, the price of this illusion is further damage to the fascia and progression of the disease. Once the medications or radiation therapy wears off, symptoms will return.
Like any other part of the body, the plantar fascia is made up of cells. Damage to the plantar fascia means the death of the corresponding cells. Dead cells are resorbed (utilized) naturally due to immune reactions. However, this process may not keep pace with the appearance of new dead cells as a result of constant microtrauma due to constant damaging loads (it is impossible to immediately stop walking).
Pain appears when too many dead cells accumulate, and the body launches an active recovery (inflammatory) process. Interstitial pressure increases around the heel spur in the soft tissues. This is necessary in order to increase the influx of immune cells and ensure their faster passage through the tissues. The more cells died, the stronger the reaction and pain.
In practice, when treating heel spurs, anti-inflammatory (in particular, hormonal) drugs are used, the essence of which is to “freeze” immune reactions. That is, the medicine acts in such a way that the body slows down its actions to cleanse the tissues in the heel area. As a result, the inflammatory process subsides and the person feels relief. However accumulation of dead cells, due to which a “heel spur” grows, remains. In this regard, a relapse is likely, since sooner or later the effect of the drug will end, the body will “wake up” and begin the inflammatory process again. This method is also dangerous because the administration of hormonal drugs often leads to necrosis (death) of the heel bone.
Thus, proper treatment should involve helping the body cleanse the tissues of the heel to prevent the formation of a spur. It is better to give preference to methods that enhance microcirculation in tissues, increase blood flow and lymph flow (for example, shock wave therapy in the clinic). The inflammatory process will eventually end if measures are taken in parallel to reduce the load on the plantar fascia.
The underlying cause of heel spurs
The plantar fascia is constantly exposed to shock when walking, running, and jumping. The degree of this load depends on the correctness of gait, the coherence of the entire musculoskeletal system, as well as on the chosen shoes. It is no coincidence that, according to statistics, heel spurs occur more often in women, since they often prefer beautiful, but “unhealthy” shoes (tight, with heels). The greater the load, the more often and more severely the fascia is damaged.
The neuromuscular shock absorption system refers to the system that controls the functioning of skeletal muscles (primarily the legs and back). Many mechanoreceptors that control the position of the joints allow the nervous system to control the muscles so as to ensure smooth movements and reduce shock loads when walking and running tenfold. Without such shock absorption, the joints and spine would degrade within a few months. It is the neuromuscular protection that “gives our legs” when we try to jump on straight legs, makes us limp, trying to protect the sore joint from overload.
Causes of impaired neuromuscular shock absorption:
- Muscle exhaustion due to lack of cell nutrition. The most favorable conditions for muscle functioning are uniform physical activity. Therefore, both a sedentary lifestyle and, on the contrary, excessive sports activities have an unfavorable effect on the functioning of muscle cells.
- Poor kidney performance. We are not talking about kidney diseases, such as pyelonephritis and others. The kidneys may be healthy, but cannot cope with filtering (purifying) the blood due to its severe “pollution”. As a result, the electrolyte and water-salt balance of the blood is disrupted, which directly affects the performance of all muscles.
- Spinal diseases– , disc herniations lead to tissue swelling, impaired blood supply and pinching of the spinal cord and nerve roots. As a result, the passage of nerve impulses along the nerve pathways is slowed down or disrupted, which leads to a mismatch in muscle function and a decrease in neuromuscular amortization.
Weakened muscles do not adequately absorb the everyday impacts of walking, running and jumping, resulting in damage to the plantar fascia as well as the spine. The functioning of the spinal cord, hidden in the spinal column, from which signals are sent to the muscles, is disrupted. Due to poor conduction of nerve impulses, muscles begin to work inconsistently, do not group properly for maximum shock absorption, and the plantar fascia and spine are damaged.
Due to pain in the heel, a person’s gait changes, he begins to limp or walk on tiptoe. The load on the muscles is distributed unevenly, and the destructive load on the spine increases.
This creates a vicious circle when muscle weakness leads to injury to the spine and plantar fascia, and problems in the spine further impair muscle function. It is very difficult for the body to break this vicious circle on its own, which is why it is so important to change your lifestyle and provide competent assistance to the muscles, kidneys, and spine.
Principles of effective heel spur treatment
Based on the above, effective treatment of heel spurs includes the following key measures:
- reduction of heel load by choosing the right and comfortable shoes, using orthopedic insoles and/or heel pads, and by performing therapeutic exercises by stretching the gastrocnemius muscle and plantar fascia. Gymnastics is very important, but, unfortunately, in most cases it is not sufficient for recovery;
- cleaning tissue from excess dead cells in the heel area by increasing blood flow and lymph flow;
- restoration of the neuromuscular shock absorption system, first of all, improvement of muscle function.
Compliance with these principles allows you to avoid relapse (recurrence of the disease).
Currently, there are many medical treatments for heel spurs, varying in effectiveness, cost and availability. Unfortunately, most of them do not meet all three principles of effective treatment of heel spurs. Most methods affect only the heel area and are aimed only at reducing/eliminating heel pain, relieving swelling and destroying bone growth. In this regard, some time after treatment, relapse (recurrence of the disease) often occurs.
The exception is phonation method. (vibroacoustic therapy) is the transmission of sound (frequency range (30-20,000 Hz) into the human body using.
Currently, this is one of the effective methods for treating heel spurs for the following reasons:
1. Phonics improves blood and lymph flow, helps clean tissue in the heel area and natural resorption of bone growth. Thanks to sound microvibrations, immune cells pass through tissues faster and more actively. As a result, the inflammatory process proceeds more easily, with less intensity and pain, and the heel spur resolves in a shorter period of time without surgical intervention.
At the same time, cell damage is excluded during phonation: the amplitude of microvibrations is comparable to the size of cells (0.0001-0.05 mm), and the frequency is within the speech range, that is, similar to those microvibrations that arise when the vocal cords are excited during singing or speaking.
2. The method has proven effectiveness in reducing pain. Usually the pain goes away within 2-3 weeks. According to vibroacoustic therapy (phonation) it is more effective in reducing pain than ultrasound and laser therapy.
Graph of changes in pain intensity on a scaleMcGill
This graph shows that the effectiveness of phonation in reducing pain intensity is 30% higher than that of laser and ultrasound therapy.
The effectiveness of phonation is comparable to shock wave therapy (SWT), while a similar result is achieved faster - in 2-3 weeks. As many studies on shockwave therapy show, a pronounced effect (reduction in pain intensity) is observed only after 3 or more months, and before that a person is forced to walk with severe pain. In practice, phonation shows better results with more frequent use (2-3 times a day).
3. Restores the elasticity of the plantar fascia by improving nutrition in this area and accelerating regenerative processes. Strengthens the effect of therapeutic exercises aimed at stretching the calf muscle and plantar fascia.
4. Phonation can be used from birth. The therapeutic effect is based on the natural sound microvibration of the body in the audible (speech) range, in contrast to ultrasound and infrasound. Has a limited list.
5. Aimed at restoring neuromuscular shock absorption. Unlike other types of therapy, the phonation technique includes an effect not only on the area of the heel spur, but also on the muscles of the lower leg and the kidneys.
- Phonics treatment of the kidney area improves the condition of all muscle resources by accelerating the removal of uric acid and improving the electrolyte composition of the blood (PH). Thanks to this, the muscle corset better copes with the function of protecting the musculoskeletal system from shock loads.
- Radiation of the lower leg area directly improves the tone of these muscles.
- Long-term and daily phonation of the problem area of the spine (,) relieves swelling and, accordingly, improves the conduction of nerve impulses.
6. Prevents diseases of the joints and spine.
Additional advantages of this method:
7. Availability. Devices for phonation can be purchased, as well as with delivery throughout Russia and abroad.
There is a possibility that your attending physician may not know about this new modern treatment method (phonation) and the corresponding devices, so before going to your appointment, we suggest printing out information about contraindications and methods of treating heel spurs.
Comparative table of the main treatment methods for heel spurs
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Name of treatment method |
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Phonation |
What is a heel spur? What does the pathology look like? Is it possible to cure the disease with folk remedies? Of course, these questions are of interest to many people, because diseases of the musculoskeletal system are considered one of the most common.
A spur on the heel, the symptoms and treatment of which will be described below, causes great discomfort to the patient. Its occurrence is completely unrelated to age; it can appear (the scientific name of the disease) in both young people and people of retirement age. If a heel spur is diagnosed, the symptoms and treatment will depend on the negative factors that provoked the disease.
Reasons for the development of the disease
A heel spur is a spine-like bony growth at or at the insertion of the Achilles tendon. Treatment for heel spurs, causes and symptoms of the disease can be very different. Let's first consider the factors influencing the appearance of heel spurs. The main cause of the disease is considered to be a microtear or inflammation of the plantar fascia (the ligament on the foot that supports its arch; when walking, the entire weight of a person falls on it). In addition, the appearance of spurs may be preceded by the following factors:
- foot or heel injuries;
- diseases that provoke circulatory disorders;
- overweight, diabetes, metabolic disorders;
- too much stress on the foot (prolonged wearing of high heels or excessive sports);
- longitudinal flatfoot;
- arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis or other diseases of the joints and spine.
How is a heel spur formed?
Since a spur on the heel (symptoms and treatment will be described below) is not an independent disease, the growth does not bring any unpleasant sensations. The cause of unbearable pain is injury to the ligaments of the foot. Moreover, damage can occur on both legs at the same time. In addition, you should know that the foot has a mucous bursa, which can also become inflamed and damaged. The heel bone reacts to this in the same way as with arthrosis, that is, it begins to expand and take the form of a growth. It is almost impossible to detect the disease visually, but it is very clearly visible using x-rays.
Spurs on the heels: symptoms, photos
The main symptom of the disease is very severe pain in the heel, which intensifies when resting on the heel area, especially after a long stay at rest. The pain is quite pronounced, as a result of which the patient tries to transfer all the weight to the toe when walking, protecting the heel area from pressure. In some cases, people use a stick when walking to maximize the heel.
Symptoms are most severe in the evening. It has been noticed that the size of the growth directly affects sensations, that is, the larger the osteophyte, the more pain a person will feel. In addition, constant pressure on the growth provokes the development of inflammation, which can subsequently cause infection, leading to suppuration of the skin and surrounding tissues. When palpating the heel, you can also feel some signs of the disease. In this case, the foot is usually tense; when stroking the area where the osteophyte develops, you can feel a callus.
Only a specialist should diagnose the disease and prescribe medicine for heel spurs, since the symptoms of some other ailments (osteoma, sprains, etc.) are very similar to plantar fasciitis. But everyone knows that a correct diagnosis is the key to successful therapy. Professional treatment of heel spurs, medications selected taking into account all the physiological characteristics of the patient, will allow you to forget about the disease and again experience all the delights of life. So, what methods are used to treat plantar fasciitis?
Drug treatment for heel spurs: medications
Before starting therapy, you should unload the affected limb as much as possible and eliminate pressure on the foot. Depending on the complexity of the case, the doctor may prescribe:
- bed rest;
- use of tapes during the daytime, and orthoses at night, due to which the pressure on the foot is reduced;
- use of orthopedic shoes;
- reducing the load on the foot (reducing the duration of walking, standing posture, etc.);
- use of crutches, sticks and other special means when walking.
Medicines are used externally. To ensure analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, the following are prescribed: Piroxicam gel, Voltaren, Diclofenac ointment, Ketorol gel and others. The selected drug is rubbed into the affected area three times a day. The full course of therapy is 2-2.5 weeks.
"Dimexide"
If the question of how to remove spurs on the heels has become urgent, you can purchase “Dimexide” and use it to treat the disease. In this case, the healing liquid is diluted with water (1:5) and a gauze cloth is soaked in the resulting solution. Next, apply it in the form of a compress to the affected area and cover it with polyethylene or wax paper. Then a sock is put on the sore leg. This will fix the compress and improve its effect. The duration of one procedure is about half an hour, a total of 8-10 sessions will be needed.
Medical bile
This medication is also used as a compress to help treat plantar fasciitis. Medical bile is produced in the form of an emulsion. To use the drug, a gauze napkin is folded into 3-4 layers and soaked in medicinal liquid. After this, apply it to the sore spot, cover it with paper and insulate it by wearing a warm sock. After 12 hours, the compress must be replaced with a new one. The duration of such treatment is 1-2 months.
Cream "Pyatkashpor" and "Tiger's Eye"
Recently, dietary supplements have been actively used to treat certain diseases. One of them is a cream called "Pyatkashpor". Even by the name you can understand for what purposes it should be used. The drug relieves symptoms of the disease, tension in the foot and improves mobility.
Ortho heel spur cream will soften the skin, relieve inflammation, and improve blood circulation in the foot. It is advisable to combine treatment with creams with wearing special orthopedic insoles, which can be purchased at a pharmacy or specialized centers.
Bang De Li and Bone Spur Plasters
External patches are made on a natural basis and are used to relieve swelling, pain and improve blood circulation. The product is very easy to use. To do this, apply a patch for heel spurs to the affected area for 1-3 days. Afterwards you need to take a five-day break and repeat the procedure. In total, it is recommended to make 10-15 applications.
Homemade ointments to treat plantar fasciitis
It is recommended to use folk remedies together with. Heel spurs are most often treated with propolis, salt, herbs, and honey. They are used to make various healing baths, rubs, lotions or compresses. You can also make an excellent ointment for heel spurs using common home remedies.
To do this, take 1 tbsp. l. honey, mix it with 1 tsp. fine salt and 50 ml of iodine. The resulting mass is stirred until smooth, put a little on a cotton pad and applied to the affected area. Cover the top with cellophane and insulate it by putting it on. After 15 minutes, the compress can be removed. In total, 10-15 procedures need to be done, depending on the course of the disease.
Homemade heels can be prepared in another way. Squeeze a tube of any baby cream into a bowl, add one raw egg and 10 ml of vinegar essence. The ingredients are thoroughly mixed and used as the previous homemade ointment.
Treatment with medicinal herbs
Traditional treatment for heel spurs is often carried out using medicinal herbs. For example, take fresh young nettle leaves and pass them through a meat grinder. 2 tbsp. l. The resulting mass is spread on a burdock leaf and applied to the resulting spur. Secure the compress with a bandage. The procedure is carried out daily at night. According to traditional healers, after a couple of weeks after use, the pain will noticeably subside, and after a month the spur will completely resolve.
A glass of dried horsetail is brewed with 3 liters of hot water, left for a couple of hours, and then filtered. Place your feet in the resulting infusion and hold for 15-20 minutes. After the therapeutic bath, the feet are thoroughly wiped and lubricated with Lugol's solution.
Simple folk remedies for the treatment of plantar fasciitis
To prepare the following home remedy, combine 100 ml of melted lard, the same amount of vinegar and one raw egg along with the shell (ground in a coffee grinder). The resulting mixture is stored in a dark place for 3 weeks, stirring daily. After the required time, the mixture should become homogeneous. When the medicine is ready, it is placed on a cotton pad and applied to the diseased area, covered with wax paper and insulated by wearing a sock. The full course of therapy is 35 days.
A very popular method is to treat plantar fasciitis with laundry soap. In this case, a bar of the darkest laundry soap needs to be grated on a fine grater, placed in an aluminum bowl and melted in a water bath. Compresses are made from the resulting mass. To do this, spread the pulp on a cotton pad or gauze folded in several layers, apply it to the affected area, cover it with cellophane on top and secure it with a bandage or scarf. The procedure is done daily until complete recovery.
Half a pack of coarse table salt is poured into a frying pan and heated in the oven or on the stove. Next, the sore heel is immersed in hot salt and heated until the salt cools down. This type of therapy is recommended to be done daily.
In conclusion, it should be noted once again that a spur on the heel, the symptoms and treatment of which are described above, is a fairly serious disease. Therefore, before doing home treatment, it is recommended to consult a specialist who, depending on the course of the disease, will approve or refute the chosen treatment method.
If movements cause discomfort, or pain occurs in the limbs even at rest, then you should think about it and go to the doctor, as some diseases can lead to impaired mobility and worsen the quality of life.
What can cause heel pain? Is it required in this case and how should it be carried out?
What symptoms should you pay attention to? Let's list them:
A description of specific manifestations will help the specialist make an accurate diagnosis after the necessary diagnostic procedures and prescribe effective and competent treatment.
Possible reasons
The heel contains many different important elements that ensure the mobility of the foot and perform the supporting functions of the entire limb as a whole.
Okay, there's a bone here. There are also tendons and ligaments in this area. And, in fact, pain can indicate problems in any of the parts that make up this area. Let's list some reasons for the troubles.
Fasciitis
Fasciitis is an inflammation of the fascia, which is a kind of base of the foot and performs important functions of load distribution and support. The causes of inflammation can be different:
- heavy loads on the legs;
- overweight;
- diabetes;
- wearing uncomfortable, particularly tight, shoes.
With this disease, the heel hurts mainly in the morning, when the muscles and ligaments have not yet developed. Trying to step on your foot causes discomfort. The area may become swollen, red, and hot.
Treatment must be comprehensive. First, the foot needs to be immobilized. When you step on your foot in the morning, the fascia is torn, which causes heel pain.
To prevent this from happening, you need to fix your foot in one position. This requires wearing special bandages or orthoses.
It is also necessary to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (in severe cases, corticosteroids are injected directly into the fascia itself). If the pain is severe, the doctor may prescribe painkillers. Local remedies such as Fastum-gel and others like that help. During the rehabilitation period, you need to perform special exercises. On average, recovery takes 1-1.5 months.
If calcium salts begin to be deposited in the heel, a spur may form - a growth that protrudes beyond the bone and interferes with normal walking, causing discomfort.
The main cause of heel spurs is fasciitis, that is, this condition is a consequence of this disease. We list the main symptoms:
- It hurts for a person to step on the heel, as the growth practically digs into the soft tissue when walking. The pain is especially severe in the morning after sleep, and also after a working day in the evening. In this case, during the day the patient may “disperse”, which is why the symptom temporarily goes away.
- A thickening occurs in the heel. It is hard to the touch.
- The site of the spur becomes hot and redness is observed.
Treatment is definitely required, since in its absence the spur will continue to grow, which can lead to complete immobilization of the foot and loss of its functions.
If an x-ray or ultrasound examination reveals a spur, then the foot will need to be provided with complete rest for the next 3-4 weeks (this is done with the help of special bandages).
The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids (in severe cases) in the form of ointments, tablets or injections is required. Shock wave and laser therapy methods are effective. The doctor may also prescribe a massage. If all these measures are ineffective, then surgical treatment may be required, during which the growth on the heel will be removed.
Tendenitis
Tendenitis is inflammation of the tendon. In this case, we are talking about the Achilles tendon, which connects the heel bones and the calf muscles. This disease may be a consequence of increased stress on this area or injuries and minor tears. We list the main manifestations:
- Heel pain. They can be localized on the plantar side or above the heel. Such sensations intensify when walking and when trying to stand on your toes. Unpleasant sensations are especially obvious in the morning.
- A swelling forms in the area of inflammation.
- The affected area turns red and becomes hot to the touch.
- Hyperthermia is noted (the affected area becomes hot).
- Mobility decreases, walking and moving the foot are difficult.
Timely treatment will help you get rid of pain and forget about the problem. So, you can apply ice to the sore spot. You will also need an elastic bandage to rest the tendon.
The doctor will prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug. You can relieve pain with local anesthetic ointments or creams. In addition, treatment also involves performing special exercises aimed at developing and strengthening the Achilles tendon.
Arthritis and arthrosis
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, which can be the result of infection or immune problems (in the case of rheumatoid arthritis). Arthrosis is a degenerative change that affects joint structures and is caused by age-related characteristics of the body.
Manifestations of arthritis are obvious and painful: severe pain in the heel or other parts of the foot after physical activity or even at rest (including at night), limited mobility, swelling at the site of the lesion, deformation of the joint (it may increase in size) . Arthrosis manifests itself in almost the same way.
Treatment of arthritis involves, first of all, eliminating the cause of inflammation. In most cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids are prescribed.
Sometimes a joint puncture is indicated to remove exudate (fluid formed due to inflammation). In some cases, it is necessary to take painkillers. To strengthen cartilage tissue, the use of chondroprotectors may be required.
Erythromelalgia
Erythromelalgia is a disease in which blood vessels dilate. This causes quite severe pain in the heel and other parts of the body, redness, hyperthermia and increased sweating. Unpleasant sensations intensify when stepping on the foot.
Treatment involves taking sedatives and vasoconstrictors, as well as agents that strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Sometimes novocaine is effective.
Osteoporosis
This disease is characterized by a decrease in bone density. Because of this, the bones become brittle, deformed and gradually collapse. If the heel or the entire foot hurts, hunching appears and there is a curvature of the spine, then it is probably osteoporosis.
Treatment of such a disease will not help get rid of the problem, but will slow down the process of destruction and improve the condition of bone tissue. Calcium supplements, vitamin D, as well as agents that stimulate bone formation processes and slow down resorption are prescribed.
Damage and injury
If, for example, you jumped from a height onto the heel area, you could easily get injured. The damaged area will hurt, especially after exercise. You need to apply ice and go to a traumatologist to rule out a crack or fracture. If this is overlooked, then over time the mobility of the heel area can greatly deteriorate.
Prevention
To ensure that heel pain never bothers you, you need to follow these simple preventive measures:
- Treat all infections promptly.
- Pay attention to even minor injuries.
- Watch your weight.
- Eat right, give up bad habits.
- Avoid putting excessive stress on your legs.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
May your heels be healthy!
Heel spur or plantar (plantar) fasciitis is a disease that is associated with inflammation of the muscles, ligaments and tendons in the heel area. Gradually, the inflammatory process leads to the appearance of growths on the heel bone (osteophytes). These spikes cut into the soft tissues of the foot and injure them, causing severe, sharp pain.
In the last century, this disease was much less common. Doctors believed that a heel spur was a consequence of a chronic foot injury. But today, 10% of everyone who consults a doctor about musculoskeletal problems hear this diagnosis. There are especially many sick people among urban residents.
80% of those who experience heel pain when walking are women. Perhaps this is due to women's passion for high-heeled shoes. Although young people also have a risk of experiencing unpleasant symptoms, it increases significantly after 40 years of age.
Interestingly, not all people who have a bone growth detected on x-ray experience discomfort. There are cases when a sharp thorn more than a centimeter long does not cause any complaints. But the opposite also happens - severe pain occurs “out of the blue,” when there are no outgrowths at all or they are small and flat.
Anatomy of the foot
The foot serves as a support when walking and constantly experiences tension equal to our weight. Its mobility is ensured by its unique structure.Foot structure
- Skeleton of the foot– 23 bones. Has 3 departments:
- tarsus - 7 bones, these include the calcaneus that interests us.
- metatarsus - 5 tubular bones located in the middle part of the foot, forming the arch.
- phalanges of fingers - 14 short bones. The thumb consists of 2 phalanges and the rest of 3.
- Foot joints. They connect the bones of the foot and provide it with flexibility, elasticity and shock absorption when walking.
- Foot muscles. They are divided into 2 groups: dorsal (located on top) and plantar (located on the underside of the foot). They bend the toes and help the foot move actively.
- Tendons. There are quite a lot of them, they help attach muscles to bones. We are most interested in the plantar aponeurosis or plantar fascia. It stretches over the muscles from the tubercle of the heel bone and to the anterior sections of the metatarsal bones. This powerful elastic tendon connects the forefoot and hindfoot. It helps the foot regain its shape after it collapses under the weight of the body. The plantar fascia can be compared to the string of a bow. She also bends the foot in an arc, pulling the heel and toes towards each other.
- Fat pads. To protect the bones from pressure, there are several fat pads on the foot. They are located on the heel, under the metatarsal bones and on the toes.
- Arteries and veins They bring oxygen-enriched blood and take away processed blood, which contains cell metabolic products.
- 4 main nerves and numerous nerve endings allow us to control the muscles of the foot and receive information from sensory receptors.
Arches of the feet
The human foot has the shape of an arch or semi-dome; this anatomical design is a guarantee of its reliability. The ligaments and tendons of the foot attract opposing parts to each other, giving the feet a semicircular shape. They play the role of screeds, shortening and narrowing the foot. Thanks to this, the foot becomes elastic and springy. Highlight longitudinal and transverse arch of the foot. You can feel the longitudinal arch by moving your hand from your heel to your toes. It is formed by the plantar fascia. The midfoot rises above the ground.
Transverse arches are less noticeable. This bend can be seen if you squeeze the foot from the sides in a transverse direction.
Sometimes muscles and ligaments are stretched due to heavy loads, and the foot ceases to be convex, but becomes flat - flat feet develop.
Reasons for the formation of heel spurs
Doctors name many reasons for the development of heel spurs. - Flat feet . The flattening of the arch of the foot causes the load on the foot to be redistributed in such a way that the heel suffers the most.
- Calcaneal injury . This could be a jump from a height.
- Sprains and joint diseases
:
- Bekhterev's disease.
- Overload of feet
:
- walking for a long time in heels or narrow ballet shoes with thin soles;
- athletics and weightlifting;
- a job in which a person spends the whole day on his feet.
- Metabolic disorders in the body, in which salt deposition occurs:
- Diseases that are accompanied poor vascular patency and circulatory disorders :
- Infectious diseases . In this case, the heel spur behaves secretly and may appear after a few months:
- Age-related changes associated with deterioration of blood microcirculation in the vessels of the legs and slower recovery of ligaments.
Inflammation spreads to the muscles and mucous membrane located under the heel tubercle. This leads to the formation of fluid in the spaces between the cells, which impairs blood circulation and recovery processes. As a result of inflammation, calcium salts are deposited on the tubercle of the heel bone. The next stage is when a growth begins to appear from the periosteum (the upper layer of bone), similar to a spike or beak, curved towards the fingers - an osteophyte. This is more likely a secondary reaction of the bone to inflammation, and not the cause of heel pain.
Symptoms of heel spurs (photo)
The symptom of a heel spur is a sharp, excruciating pain in the heel. There may be no external signs. But in some cases, redness appears in the affected area. It feels slightly hotter than the surrounding tissue. The swelling is usually not noticeable. Nature of pain
The pain is sharp and excruciating. People describe it as feeling like a nail in the heel. It is especially sharp in the morning or after rest, which is why it is called “start-up pain”. This is due to the fact that the fascia shortens overnight and the damaged areas heal. In the morning, when taking the first steps, the tendon fibers are torn again, which causes acute pain. During the day it becomes a little easier, but in the evening the condition worsens again, the pain becomes cutting.
The pain may be felt in one place or it may spread throughout the heel. The illness may begin acutely, with difficulty getting out of bed one morning. Or the pain may appear periodically and gradually intensify, becoming chronic.
Most often, the spur appears on one foot, but sometimes the fascia on both heels becomes inflamed.
A person with a heel spur changes their gait. He steps on the toe and outside of the foot, protecting the heel from stress. In some cases it is necessary to use canes or crutches.
What diseases contribute to the appearance of heel spurs?
- Arthritis hip, knee and ankle joints. Inflammation of the joints causes pain and changes in gait, and also leads to a redistribution of body weight on the foot. In the first stages, tendon tissue is affected, but then growths appear on the bone.
- Gout . This disease is associated with the deposition of uric acid salts in the body. Being deposited on the heel tubercle and in the ligament itself, salts reduce elasticity and cause rupture of its fibers.
- Diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis . With these diseases, vascular function deteriorates. They bring insufficient nutrients to the tissues and poorly drain waste venous blood. In this regard, the extensibility of the fascia worsens and ruptures appear more often.
- Genital infections : chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, mycoplasmosis. Bacteria cause an infectious-allergic process that affects the entire body. The joints of the toes and larger joints may be affected: the hip, elbow. Microorganisms cause overgrowth of the surface layer of bone. Spurs after infection cause pain not only when walking, but also when at rest.
- Rheumatism and systemic lupus erythematosus . In autoimmune diseases, a person’s immune system rebels against connective tissue, the cells of which remind him of bacteria. As a result, the joints suffer and bone growths appear, including on the heel.
- Obesity . Excess weight causes too much stress to be placed on the foot. Under the influence of weight, the fascia at the point of attachment to the heel bone is compressed and injured.
Diagnosis of heel spurs
The doctor makes the diagnosis of “heel spur” based on the patient’s complaints and X-ray data of the foot. The doctor will feel your leg. Pain occurs when the doctor presses on the base of the heel and when squeezing the heel from the sides.
On an x-ray, in most cases, a spike is visible that grows on the heel bone and is bent towards the toes. In the initial stages, it is round and rises only a few millimeters above the surface of the bone, but it can still cause severe pain.
After a few years, the osteophyte reaches a size of 1.2 cm. It has the shape of a spike or a bird’s beak. It is interesting that some people can only move on crutches, while others experience absolutely no inconvenience.
Heel spur treatment
Drug and physiotherapeutic treatment of heel spurs is aimed at relieving inflammation of the tissues around the heel tubercle and increasing the elasticity of the ligaments. In this case, even a bone growth will not cause pain when walking. To do this, use local treatment in the form of ointments and compresses or general treatment - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and homeopathic drugs in tablets. Modern medicine places great hopes on physiotherapy
- Magnetic resonance therapy – relieves pain, relieves inflammation and swelling, improves vascular function.
- Phonophoresis (introduction of hydrocortisone ointment using ultrasound) – combines the effect of ultrasound and a hormonal anti-inflammatory agent. Metabolism in cells, blood microcirculation and lymph outflow improves. Hydrocortisone penetrates deeper into the skin and has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.
- Laser (quantum) therapy. The laser beam affects tissue through the skin. Thanks to this, an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, decongestant and biostimulating effect is achieved.
- X-ray therapy . A low-dose X-ray beam blocks the nerve endings around the heel spur. Thanks to this, the pain disappears.
- Shock wave therapy . Shock sound waves block pain receptors. You stop feeling pain when exerting yourself, tendons and ligaments are strengthened, bone growth is resolved, and inflammation goes away. This method is equivalent in effectiveness to surgery.
If such conservative treatment does not produce results within 6 months, then surgery is prescribed. Surgical treatment allows you to get rid of the bone growth itself.
Remember that any heel spur can be treated. But for some people it goes away in a week, while others require several months of complex treatment.
Ointments for the treatment of heel spurs
| Group of drugs | Representatives | Mechanism of therapeutic action | |
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs | Indomethacin ointment Voltaren Diclak-gel Gel Deep relief Naproxen | Anesthetizes and relieves inflammation. They suppress the action of cyclooxygenase in the body. This substance is a mediator in the development of the inflammatory process. | The ointment is applied in a thin layer to the affected area 3 times a day. The effect will be enhanced if you first soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes and wipe dry. Ointments are used for a long time, at least 2-4 weeks. To avoid addiction, after 2 weeks change the ointment to another from the same group. |
| Steroid-based hormonal ointments | Hydrocartisone ointment Prednisolone ointment Betamethasone Dexamethasone | They regulate the balance of minerals and have a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Steroids cause capillaries in the affected area to constrict, which helps reduce swelling and relieve pain. | These drugs are used carefully, strictly following the doctor's instructions. They have a strong effect and have a number of contraindications. A small amount of ointment is applied 2-3 times a day. The product is distributed over the skin with light circular movements. The course of treatment is no more than 2 weeks. Do not use by pregnant women. |
| Stimulators of regeneration (recovery) | Artrin Mucosat ointment Chondroxide | Slows down the proliferation of bone tissue and the growth of heel spurs. Restore cartilage tissue and elastic fibers of the tendon. Reduce pain. | A small amount of ointment is applied to clean, dry skin and rubbed until completely absorbed. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times a day for 2-5 weeks. |
| Homeopathic ointments | Goal T Apis ointment Pyatkospor-ointment | Numerous components of the drugs affect the connective tissue of the damaged ligament. They speed up the healing of elastic fibers and help cure inflammation. Plant extracts relieve pain and swelling. | Ointments are applied to clean skin. A small amount of the medicine is distributed with massage movements until completely absorbed. Use 3-4 times a day for a course of treatment of 2 weeks to 3 months. |
| Ointments based on medicinal herbs and other natural ingredients | Golden mustache cream balm Contractubex Ointment based on cinquefoil | Soothe pain, relieve inflammation, reduce salt deposits on the surface of the bone and in the fibers of the fascia. Improve blood circulation and increase the elasticity of ligaments. | Ointments and creams are applied to the affected area 3 times a day. It is better to do this after foot baths or foot massage to improve absorption. Good results are obtained by the combined use of Contractubex ointments and Zolotoy usta gel. The first two days they are smeared every hour. It is necessary to alternate products so as not to cause allergies. After two days, it is enough to smear the sore spot with each ointment 2 times a day. These products can be used for a long time, from one month to three. |
| Warming ointments | Viprosal Efkamon Nicoflex Apisatron Finalgon Capsicam | Improve blood circulation, accelerate the removal of decay products (toxins), which are formed during inflammation and cause pain. They improve heat exchange in tissues and accelerate the recovery of affected areas of the fascia. | Before use, the previous layer of medication must be washed off the skin. The ointment is applied 2-3 times a day. A very small amount is required - about the size of a grain of rice. Rub the ointment into the skin with gentle movements and let it absorb for 2-3 minutes. After this, it is advisable to wear wool socks to enhance the effect. After applying the ointment, be sure to wash your hands. The course of treatment is 10-14 days. |
Medicines for the treatment of heel pores
Drug treatment for heel spurs is aimed at relieving pain, swelling and improving blood circulation.| Group of drugs | Representatives | Mechanism of therapeutic action | How to use, course duration |
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs | Voltaren Diclafenac Ibuprofen Acetylsalicylic acid Flexen Nise | They reduce vascular permeability and prevent fluid from accumulating around cells. This helps reduce soreness and swelling. The drugs improve blood circulation through the vessels and relieve inflammation. Medicines block the action of special chemicals that are activators of inflammation. | Used over a long course of 3-4 weeks and in minimal doses. For example, aspirin 325 mg after meals once a day for 2-3 months. |
| Chondroprotectors | Chondrocerin Artiflex Artradol | Restores metabolism in the connective tissue that makes up joints and ligaments. Accelerates their recovery (regeneration) and makes them more elastic. This allows the plantar fascia to stretch without tearing. | Take 1 tablet (capsule 2 times a day). The course of treatment is 3 months, depending on the state of health. It is necessary to take 2-3 courses with a break of a month. For the first two weeks, chondroprotectors are taken together with painkillers. |
Therapeutic blockades– injections of an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory drug into the heel are performed by a qualified surgeon.
| Group of drugs | Representatives of this group | Mechanism of therapeutic action | |
| Anti-inflammatory steroid (hormonal) drugs | Diprospan Betamethasone Flosteron Hydrocortisone | The drugs block chemicals that cause inflammation. | A surgeon in a clinic makes an injection into the soft tissue of the heel. Typically, anti-inflammatory drugs and a 1% solution of novocaine or lidocaine are administered in one syringe. With the help of such a blockade, it is possible to relieve inflammation in one go and get rid of the problem for several years. In some cases, if the pain does not go away, a second injection is given a month later. |
Treatment of heel spurs with shock wave method
Today this method is considered the most effective. After the first procedure, the pain goes away, and the bone spike itself is broken in 3-6 procedures.| Method name | Indications for use and contraindications | Mechanism of therapeutic action | |
| Shock wave method | Indications:
| An ultrasonic wave with a frequency of 16-25 Hz passes freely through the skin and muscles, and cartilage and bones resist ultrasound. As a result, small pieces break off from the bone growths, which then dissolve. In addition, ultrasound improves the functioning of blood vessels and tissues receive more nutrients. Salt deposits on the bones and between the fibers of the ligament are also destroyed. It becomes more elastic and is not injured by stretching and stress. | You don't need to go to the hospital. Shock wave therapy is performed in clinics on an outpatient basis. The procedure is completely painless and resembles the well-known ultrasound. The doctor sets the necessary parameters on the device and applies a special gel to the diseased area, which conducts ultrasound well. The ultrasound-emitting sensor is pressed tightly against the skin. The procedure lasts from 5 to 25 minutes. To break the spur, you will need from 3 to 6 sessions, which are carried out once a week. During this period, the broken pieces of bone growth have time to dissolve in the body. |
Treatment of heel spurs with laser
| Method name | Indications for testing | Mechanism of therapeutic action | How does the procedure work and how many sessions are needed? |
| Laser therapy | Indications:
| A laser beam with a power of 5000-7000 mW causes biochemical changes in cells and improves metabolism in cells. Rapid cell restoration is ensured by the accelerated division of DNA - carriers of genetic information. The laser also has an anti-inflammatory effect, improves blood supply to the diseased area and helps eliminate swelling. As a result, healing of microtraumas of the fascia occurs faster, and the growth on the heel bone softens. | Treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis and you will be able to lead your normal lifestyle. The procedure is completely painless and does not cause injuries or burns. During a laser therapy session, the doctor uses a low-power laser on the affected area for 8-20 minutes. After this you can return home. Procedures are carried out daily. Depending on the size of the spur and your condition, the course will consist of 5-10 procedures. To consolidate the result, a second course may be required after 2 weeks. |
Traditional methods of treating heel spurs
There are many effective folk methods for treating heel spurs. They have virtually no contraindications. The recipes will definitely help if you follow the dosage exactly and complete the treatment.| Composition of the product | How to cook | Mechanism of therapeutic action | How to use and course duration |
| Applications with raw potatoes | Wash the potatoes and grate them on a fine grater. Place the resulting pulp on gauze folded in 6 layers and apply to the sore spot. Wrap the heel in cellophane and put on the sock. | Potatoes contain organic acids and minerals that have an anti-inflammatory effect and strengthen the walls of blood vessels, preventing swelling. | The procedure will be more effective if done at night, after first soaking your feet in warm water for 10 minutes. You can simply cut off a potato slice and attach it with an adhesive plaster. |
| Applications with black radish | Wash the black radish and, together with the peel, pass it through a meat grinder 2 times or grate it on a fine grater. | Mineral salts, phytoncides and enzymes penetrate the skin and improve blood circulation in the tissues of the foot. Swelling, inflammation, and pain go away. | The freshly prepared pulp is placed on wax paper or cellophane and bandaged to the leg. Wrap a warm cloth around the top or wear a woolen sock. Do the procedure at night 3 times in a row. In the morning, remove the compress and make a bath with the addition of regular salt. |
| Compress of burdock and laundry soap | Tear off a burdock leaf and rub its lower fuzzy side with a paste of laundry soap and water. | Laundry soap contains a lot of alkalis, which penetrate the skin and help relieve swelling and inflammation. And the essential oils and tanning anti-inflammatory substances contained in burdock improve the condition of the soft tissues of the heel. | A soaped burdock leaf is applied to the steamed heel overnight and fixed. In winter, instead of burdock, you can thickly soap a linen cloth. Repeat the procedure every evening for 10 days. |
| Horseradish compress | Pass the horseradish root through a meat grinder. Store in a glass container in the refrigerator. | Phytoncides, essential mustard oils and resinous substances irritate the skin, improve blood circulation and have a strong anti-inflammatory effect. | Take a warm foot bath. Place the chopped horseradish root on cellophane and put on a warm sock on top. Leave the compress on overnight. If inflammation is just beginning, then once is enough. |
| Lilac infusion | Pour 1/3 of lilac flowers into a glass jar and fill to the top with vodka or moonshine. Let it brew in a dark place for 10 days. | Lilac has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, and also dissolves salt deposits on the bones and in the ligament itself. | The tincture is taken in 30-40 drops. You can take 1.5-2 ml with a syringe. The tincture is diluted in a small amount of water and drunk before meals 2-3 times a day. The same product can be used to rub the heel after baths. Improvement occurs within a week, but the full course of treatment takes 2 months. |
A popular recipe on the Internet: vinegar essence, egg, oil; use is not recommended. Many people suffered severe burns where the skin and soft tissue were destroyed down to the bone. The same applies to treatment with burning alcohol or moonshine. Therefore, when choosing methods of alternative treatment for heel spurs, be careful.
Treatment of heel spurs with bile
To treat heel spurs, different types of bile are used. But it is most convenient to use medical bile, which can be purchased ready-made.| Compound | How to cook | Mechanism of therapeutic action | How to use and course duration |
| Pure medical bile | Buy ready-made medical bile in the form of an emulsion. You can use animal bile and dilute it half with vodka. | Bile irritates the skin. At the same time, blood flow to the sore spot increases and the temperature in this part of the body rises. The result is that deposits of calcium salts and uric acid are dissolved, and bone growth is reduced. Bile also has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. | After a warm foot bath, apply gauze folded in 6-8 layers or a cloth soaked in bile to the sore spot. Cover the top with cellophane, secure with a bandage, and put on a warm sock on top. Keep the compress all night. But if an unbearable burning sensation occurs, it is better to remove it. People with thin skin may experience severe irritation. In the morning, cleanse your skin with vodka or lotion. The procedures are repeated daily. After 5 days you will feel significant relief, but for a lasting effect you need to do 20 procedures without interrupting the course. |
| 20 g vodka (1 tablespoon) 20 g shampoo 50 g medical bile | Mix all ingredients in a glass container | Soak several layers of fabric with the mixture, cover with wax paper or cellophane, secure tightly with a bandage, and put a wool sock on top. The compress is applied at night. | |
| 70 g bile 3 pods of hot pepper 1 bottle of camphor alcohol | Mix all ingredients in a glass container and store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. | The compress is applied to clean, dry skin overnight. The fabric soaked in the mixture is applied to the heel, covered with cellophane and fixed. This can be done with an elastic medical bandage. On top - a warm sock. Usually 3-5 procedures are enough to relieve pain. The full course of treatment is 10 compresses. |
Heel spur surgery
Surgery to remove heel spurs is performed in less than 5% of cases. In this case, the surgeon cuts the skin and fascia, and then removes the bone spine (osteophyte). The effectiveness of the operation is 50-75%. For other people, pain persists even after surgery.Indications
- Lack of effect from non-surgical treatment within 6 months.
- You cannot wait the six months that conservative treatment lasts.
- Leg pain prevents you from moving normally and reduces your performance.
The operation is performed under local anesthesia. You will receive an epidural, an injection of a painkiller into your spine that will temporarily relieve sensation in the lower half of your body.
Types of operations
- Traditional open surgery - the most common. It can be done in the surgical department of any hospital. But it is considered the most traumatic and the recovery period can take up to 2 months.
- Endoscopic surgery – dissection of the fascia of the sole and removal of the heel spur. The doctor makes 2 5 mm incisions on both sides of the heel. He inserts a miniature surgical instrument into one of them, and a camera into the other, which allows him to monitor what is happening. This method is less traumatic, easier to tolerate for patients, and causes fewer complications. Thanks to this, it is gaining more and more popularity.
- Minimally invasive fascial dissection under the control of X-ray equipment. Through a 3 mm incision, a thin tube is inserted, at the end of which a microscalpel is attached. It cuts the fascia away from the heel spur. After this, the scalpel is replaced with a milling cutter, which grinds off the bone growth. This method is considered the most gentle. It allows you to recover in the shortest possible time. But its disadvantage is that the surgeon cannot see what is happening under the skin. In addition, in our country, few clinics have the appropriate equipment.
What does the surgeon do during the operation:
- cuts the plantar fascia to reduce its resistance when walking or separates it from the heel bone;
- removes the affected area of fascia;
- cuts the thick part of the adductor big toe muscle to avoid compression of the nerve;
- removes bone growth;
- smoothes the surface of the heel bone so that the fascia takes root with less tension;
- puts all muscles and tendons in place;
- puts stitches.
Depending on the method of operation, you will have to spend 2 to 5 days in the hospital. From the first day the doctor will allow you to get up. But you must remember that you need to protect your leg as much as possible.
The results of the operation can be fully assessed only after six months, when the fascia and muscles have fully recovered.
Complications after surgery
- wound suppuration;
- nerve injury during surgery;
- prolonged wound healing;
- neuroma is a benign tumor that is formed from overgrown nerve cells;
- increased pain.
How to choose insoles and heel pads?
Insoles and heel pads are an important component in the complex treatment of spurs. Their functions: - play the role of a corset that fixes muscles and ligaments in the desired position;
- help reduce the load on the heel and prevent micro-tears of the fascia;
- reduce the load on the joints of the legs: knee and hip;
- fix the longitudinal and butt
- river arch of the foot, help eliminate flat feet, which provokes the appearance of spurs;
- improve blood circulation in the foot and strengthen its ligaments;
- prevent the appearance of a feeling of heaviness and fatigue in the feet.
Materials for insoles and heel pads
- Silicone – is the best material for orthopedic insoles. It springs well and supports the foot when walking. If you properly care for such products, they will not wear out and can prevent the appearance of unpleasant odors.
- Leather - a natural and “breathable” material, but it wears out and is quite expensive. The selection of such products should be carried out by an orthopedist, as they are more rigid.
- Gel – a fairly soft material, it is used for minor changes in the foot. The advantage of gel products is that thin insoles can be used in high-heeled dress shoes and open sandals.
- Leatherette - the most affordable option, but it wears out and does not allow air to pass through well.
How to treat heel spurs at home?
Treating heel spurs at home is a lengthy process. On average it takes about six months. But if you regularly do treatment procedures, relief will come within a week.Non-drug treatment for heel spurs at home
- Use special orthopedic insoles, which must be invested in shoes. They have a hole under the heel. This reduces the stress on the heel and maintains the arch of the foot in proper condition.
- Contrast baths for legs 2 times a day. Take 2 basins: one with cold water and the other with hot water. Lower your legs one by one, then the other for 30 seconds. During periods of acute pain, take baths only with warm water, otherwise the inflammation will intensify. It would be good to add sea salt to the water, 2 tablespoons per liter or 15 drops of iodine per liter.
- Foot massage do it after baths. Massage helps improve blood circulation in the sore area, reduce swelling, relieve pain and relieve inflammation. Rub your heel and entire foot vigorously in a circular motion for 10-15 minutes. Finish the massage by stroking from your toes to your calves to improve blood flow. For severe pain, massage with ice cubes helps. You can wrap them in a cellophane bag.
- Braces, Strasbourg socks, orthoses- devices that help keep the feet at a right angle to the shin while sleeping. This is necessary so that the tendon cannot contract overnight and new tears do not appear in the morning when taking the first steps.
- Diet. To restore your metabolism you will have to adhere to diets. You need to limit your consumption of meat and fish. They can be eaten 3 times a week boiled. Avoid legumes, mushrooms, sorrel, peanuts, cauliflower and foods containing food additives. The basis of the diet should be vegetables, fruits, cereals, and dairy products. To remove salts, drink at least 2 liters of liquid.
- Physiotherapy. You will have to give up running and race walking. Swimming and cycling will be very useful for you. Exercises that strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the foot:
- roll a rolling pin or an ear of corn on the floor with your foot;
- walk on pebbles or a massage mat;
- move small objects from place to place with your toes;
- pull the towel spread on the floor towards you, holding it with your toes and at the same time, without lifting your heels from the floor.
- Mustard plasters or warm paraffin applications. They warm up the tissues, improve metabolism and accelerate the resorption of spurs. The procedure is done daily for 20-30 minutes.
