What is heel spur? What are the symptoms and treatment methods?
There is a band that supports our bones in the area under our feet. This band helps us to walk and provides the formation of the foot arch. In the heel spur, pain and bone extension (spur) occur in the heel area as a result of the continuous tension of the band. With the accumulation of calcium in the heel, a thorn image is formed on the X-ray. The stinging, disturbing structure is not a thorn, the tension of the tape causes pain.
One of the biggest causes of heel spurs is the flat-soled slippers, flat shoes and sandals we wear during the summer period. In excess weight, it causes the heel to be loaded for a long time and disrupts the load distribution on the foot. Another factor is standing for long periods of time.
What are the 7 risk factors that cause its formation? What are the symptoms?
Physiotherapist specialists, who underlined that the person with heel spurs do not want to step on their feet, explained:
The typical feature of heel spurs is that the person does not want to step on their feet when they get up in the morning, because edema at the heel attachment point causes pain and tenderness. After 3-5 steps, a feeling of relaxation occurs. Pain increases with standing up after long sitting. Difficulty in stepping, pain when walking more during the day, pain when walking on hard ground, and throbbing-like complaints are observed.
Experts who gave information about the risk factors that cause the formation of heel spurs said:
- Walking on hard ground
- Wrong choice of shoes
- running, jumping,
- overweight,
- Gender (more likely to occur in women),
- prolonged standing,
- It’s like old age.
What are the treatment methods for heel spur?
The aim of the treatment of heel spurs is to reduce the pain and pressure in the heel and increase the flexibility of the band.
The simplest and most basic treatment is to rest the foot at rest, reduce the pressure, and apply ice for 10-15 minutes for pain and edema. Standing for long periods, reducing activities and losing weight are among the factors that need to be corrected. Shoe; It should be in accordance with the foot anatomy, which protects the foot arch and the sole is not flat. By examining the load distribution in the foot with gait analysis, insoles suitable for the foot form can be selected.
During the treatment, surgery, PRP, steroid injection, Hiltherapy, ESWT are used. ESWT is the shock wave therapy that we frequently use in the clinic. The high pressure of the sound waves is applied by shooting to the pain points in the heel with the help of a headgear. Supports the healing process in the band under the foot. The treatment has a high efficacy rate and faster results are obtained compared to other options.
Suggestions for simple exercises that can be done during the day to prevent heel spurs:
Pointing out that the important item that should be added next to each of the treatment options is “exercise”, Physiotherapist specialists explained:
Exercises that we can simply do without taking our time during the day will be:
• First, we can increase flexibility by stretching our toes upwards without getting out of bed, and we should do this for 10 repetitions.
• Secondly, we can freeze a small water or soda bottle in the fridge and put it under our feet where we sit and slide it back and forth for 5-10 minutes. It is recommended to wear thin socks in order not to cause sensitivity due to the cold.
• The third exercise we can do is to slide forward and backward with a barbed ball under the feet.