CRB clinic
Heel spur
Treatment at the orthopedic clinic
License of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine AD No. 063321 dated September 6, 2012
How can we help?
-
Diagnosis and consultation on the problem - Shock wave therapy
- Identifying and eliminating the cause of heel pain
- Insoles for heel spurs
- Fast pain relief - injection
- Treatment according to the European protocol
Consultations by phone:
044 580 40 04
044 580 40 04
CRB clinic
Treatment of heel spurs
The CRB Clinic uses European treatment protocols. The procedures are aimed not only at pain relief but also at healing and fully restoring the plantar fascia.
Heel spur:
What is this condition?
What is this condition?
In medical terms, the spur is called "plantar fasciitis."
The name stems from the inflammation and pain of the plantar fascia—the ligament that connects the forefoot to the heel bone.
For various reasons, the plantar fascia can lose its elasticity and strength. If it is overloaded or overstretched, the fibers of the ligament can tear, causing acute heel pain.
For various reasons, the plantar fascia can lose its elasticity and strength. If it is overloaded or overstretched, the fibers of the ligament can tear, causing acute heel pain.
Symptoms
of a heel spur
of a heel spur
Heel spurs are characterized by what's known as start-up pain. This pain occurs when transitioning from rest to movement. For example, after sleeping, a person stands up and experiences a sharp, intense pain with the first step. Many patients report that the pain subsides after a few steps—they need to "walk around."
This is explained by the fact that when we sleep, the body calcifies the sites of micro-tears. This is a protective mechanism, strengthening the ligament, but in reality, it's doing the ligament a disservice. The fibers, thus "healed," become even less elastic, shorter, and more taut, making them even more vulnerable. When stressed, these fibers are re-injured, causing micro-tears, which causes acute pain.
This is explained by the fact that when we sleep, the body calcifies the sites of micro-tears. This is a protective mechanism, strengthening the ligament, but in reality, it's doing the ligament a disservice. The fibers, thus "healed," become even less elastic, shorter, and more taut, making them even more vulnerable. When stressed, these fibers are re-injured, causing micro-tears, which causes acute pain.
Heel pain when walking is the main complaint of heel spurs. The pain occurs under load, as each step causes microtrauma to the plantar fascia. As the inflammation progresses, pain and discomfort may intensify.
Interestingly, patients feel better in high-heeled shoes. This is due to the transfer of weight from the heel to the forefoot. However, this is not a solution. Normally, a healthy plantar fascia should be able to support walking and a person's weight without pain.
Interestingly, patients feel better in high-heeled shoes. This is due to the transfer of weight from the heel to the forefoot. However, this is not a solution. Normally, a healthy plantar fascia should be able to support walking and a person's weight without pain.
This is a very controversial symptom:
Heel pain can be present even if the X-ray shows no spur.
It also happens that the "spur" is clearly visible on the X-ray, but the patient experiences no discomfort.
For more information on what a heel spur is, what it consists of, and whether it actually exists, please see the separate section.
Heel pain can be present even if the X-ray shows no spur.
It also happens that the "spur" is clearly visible on the X-ray, but the patient experiences no discomfort.
For more information on what a heel spur is, what it consists of, and whether it actually exists, please see the separate section.
- In many cases, heel spurs develop simultaneously with flat feet. Therefore, it's important to pay attention to the symptoms of flat feet:
- pain in the feet and legs;
- a sensation of twisting in the legs;
- an external enlargement of the foot, possibly requiring a larger shoe size;
- a lowering of the arches, a narrowing of the arches under the foot.
Consultations by phone:
044 580 40 04
044 580 40 04
Is there a heel thorn?
The thorn or spur can be seen on an x-ray (see photo).
When a patient sees a sharp spur on an X-ray, they often assume that this is the cause of their heel pain—as if the spur were digging into the tissue while walking. But this is not the case.
In fact, there is no such thing as a heel spur or spur. Let us explain:
It is known that with a heel spur, the ligament fibers are damaged, causing pain. To strengthen the damaged area, the body deposits calcium salts in the tissue.
As a result, we have a section of the ligament rich in calcium, which becomes visible on an X-ray. The rest of the ligament is calcium-free and invisible. Therefore, it appears as if there is a sharp protrusion (spur, spur) on the X-ray, when in fact, it is simply a calcified section of the ligament.
In fact, there is no such thing as a heel spur or spur. Let us explain:
It is known that with a heel spur, the ligament fibers are damaged, causing pain. To strengthen the damaged area, the body deposits calcium salts in the tissue.
As a result, we have a section of the ligament rich in calcium, which becomes visible on an X-ray. The rest of the ligament is calcium-free and invisible. Therefore, it appears as if there is a sharp protrusion (spur, spur) on the X-ray, when in fact, it is simply a calcified section of the ligament.
Causes of heel spurs:
1. Loss of elasticity in the plantar fascia. This can occur, for example, due to poor circulation in the feet.
2. Longitudinal flatfoot. With flatfoot, the plantar ligament is overstretched, and under load, the fibers tear at the weakest point – the heel.
3. Excessive stress on the feet from lifting weights, jumping, etc.
2. Longitudinal flatfoot. With flatfoot, the plantar ligament is overstretched, and under load, the fibers tear at the weakest point – the heel.
3. Excessive stress on the feet from lifting weights, jumping, etc.
Treatment of heel spurs
The treatment logic consists of three stages
- We relieve pain and inflammationPhysiotherapy, shockwave therapy, and/or medications to relieve inflammation and pain are used. At the same time, all negatively impacting activities (jumping, long walks, etc.) should be avoided.1
- We restore the elasticity of the ligamentous apparatusTo restore elasticity to the foot's ligamentous apparatus, we restore blood circulation and tissue nutrition. We break down and remove accumulated calcifications from the tissue.2
- Restoration of foot architectureWe provide proper tone to weak and atrophied foot muscles. These muscles hold the foot bones in the correct position, the foot's architecture is restored, and the ligaments stop becoming overstretched.3
Treatment with compresses
Caution! Treatment with ointments, compresses, and painkillers can only temporarily reduce pain.
Treatment for heel spurs should be comprehensive. In addition to pain relief, it's necessary to treat the affected ligament (improve its elasticity, treat micro-tears, and reduce inflammation). It's also important to address the underlying cause of the condition—the reason the ligament is overstretched and the fibers are torn. Typically, this is caused by flat feet and foot deformity. Therefore, comprehensive treatment also includes restoring proper foot alignment.
Procedures we use to treat heel spurs
Warning! Self-medication is dangerous to your health. The procedures provided are for informational purposes only, and are intended to familiarize you with the treatment methods available at CRB Clinic. Treatment effectiveness depends on the specific focus of each procedure.
- Consultation and diagnosticsDuring the diagnostic examination, the doctor examines the condition of the muscles and ligaments, as well as joint mobility. The focus and scope of all procedures, and consequently the outcome, depend on an accurate diagnosis. During the consultation, the doctor will discuss the causes of the condition and possible treatment options, and will make a prescription.
- Shock wave therapyBreaks down and removes tissue calcifications, increasing the elasticity of the plantar fascia. Improves blood circulation and tissue nutrition. It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
Storz Medical, Switzerland. - Orthopedic insolesCustom-made for each foot, wearing orthopedic insoles counteracts the harmful effects of flat feet and helps stop the progression of the condition.
- AnesthesiaWe use safe anti-inflammatory medications, individually selected based on the patient's symptoms. Allergy testing is performed before the procedure.
- Correction of leg jointsThe procedure includes post-isometric relaxation, manual correction, and heat therapy. It achieves rapid relief of restrictions and stiffness, restoring full range of motion without pain.
- Active kinesitherapyExercises help develop proper muscle memory. Muscles learn to hold bones in the correct position. Kinesiotherapy helps consolidate these results more quickly.
Orthopedic traumatologist
Patients often ask similar questions.
I've selected the most frequently asked questions about heel spurs and answered them below.
Kolomiets K. Yu., orthopedic traumatologist at CRB Clinic
Kolomiets K. Yu., orthopedic traumatologist at CRB Clinic
We use two options for pain relief:
- Shockwave therapy – relieves pain and inflammation, and accelerates tissue healing. 5-7 treatments are required. This is the optimal choice. However, if you don't have time to complete a full course or the pain is too severe, you can first numb the heel with medication.
- Medications (blockade) – we use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, administered via electrophoresis or injection.
Yes, yes. We individually select nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief. Injections can be administered either at the site of pain (in the heel) or along the nerve (conduction anesthesia).
However, a more gentle method is transdermal administration using electrophoresis. This procedure is non-invasive and completely painless.
However, a more gentle method is transdermal administration using electrophoresis. This procedure is non-invasive and completely painless.
Yes. Shockwave therapy is the gold standard for treating heel spurs. The procedure helps relieve pain and inflammation, improves blood flow, nutrition, and tissue healing. Another beneficial effect is the destruction and removal of calcifications. Shockwave therapy can completely cleanse the calcified ligament, restoring its health and elasticity.
We use a device from the Swiss company Storz Medical.
We use a device from the Swiss company Storz Medical.
The main cause of heel spurs is overstretching of the plantar fascia due to developing flat feet. Orthopedic insoles compensate for the effects of flat feet. They maintain the arches of the foot in the correct position, preventing stretching of the fascia.
Yes. To do this, it's necessary to address the underlying cause of the condition. Most often, this is flat feet. By restoring proper foot alignment, you can forget about recurring heel spurs. The main treatment methods are: orthopedic insoles, shock wave therapy, and kinesitherapy.