Tips On How To Treat Heel Spur

Overview

Heel spurs (calcaneal spurs) are protrusions (bumps) on the forward underside of the heel bone that can occur when the plantar tendon pulls excessively in the area where it attaches to the bone. The condition is often associated with plantar fasciitis, although it can also occur on its own. Heel spurs typically are not painful unless they intrude into the soft tissue (plantar fascia), where they can cause irritation that results in heel pain.

Causes

Heel spurs are exacerbated by an movements that stretch, twist or impact the plantar ligaments. Running, jumping, standing or walking on hard surfaces with unsupportive shoes, walking barefoot in sand are all activities that can activate heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. Obesity is another factor that increases stress to the plantar ligaments.

Symptoms

The vast majority of people who have heel spurs feel the asscociated pain during their first steps in the morning. The pain is quite intense and felt either the bottom or front of the heel bone. Typically, the sharp pain diminishes after being up for a while but continues as a dull ache. The pain characteristically returns when first standing up after sitting for long periods.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will discuss your medical history and will examine your foot and heel for any deformities and inflammation (swelling, redness, heat, pain). He/she will analyze your flexibility, stability, and gait (the way you walk). Occasionally an x-ray or blood tests (to rule out diseases or infections) may be requested.

Non Surgical Treatment

Exercise. If you think your pain is exercise-related, change your exercise routine, environment, or foot-ware, and emphasize movements and/or body parts that do not cause pain. Mind/Body. Occasionally foot pain can be related to stress. The body may respond with generalized tension that contributes to pain in many areas, including the feet. Hypnosis and guided imagery are worth exploring if an anatomical problem is not apparent. Supplements. Natural anti-inflammatories can be just as effective as ibuprofen or other over-the-counter pain relievers with fewer side effects. Try one of the following. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) standardized to 5-6% gingerols and 6% shogoals, take one to two 500 mg tablets three to four times daily. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) standardized to 95% curcuminoids, take 400-600 mg three times daily. Also, be sure that you’re wearing well-fitting shoes, the proper shoes for each activity, and that you buy new foot-ware as soon as you notice signs of wear. You can also take the pressure off your heel with a donut-shaped heel cushion or a heel-raising pad placed in your shoe. Acupuncture can also relieve the pain, as can for some sufferers, magnetic shoe inserts, although the evidence behind their effectiveness is not conclusive. Osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation can help with soft tissue pain in and around the feet.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery to correct for heel spur syndrome is a common procedure which releases plantar fascia partially from its attachment to the calcaneous (heel bone). This part of the surgery is called a plantar fasciotomy due to the fact the fascia is cut. This is most often done through an open procedure as any heel spur or bursa can be removed at the same time. If the spur is not removed during the surgery, it will probably be just as successful, as the large spur is not the true problem. Some physicians use an endoscopic approach (EPF) where a small camera aids the physician during surgery with typically smaller incisions on each side of your foot.

Prevention

To prevent this condition, wearing properly fitted shoes with good arch support is very important. If a person is overweight, weight loss can help diminish stress on the feet and help prevent foot problems. For those who exercise frequently and intensely, proper stretching is always necessary, especially when there is an increase in activities or a change in running technique. It is not recommended to attempt to work through the pain, as this can change a mild case of heel spurs and plantar fascitis into a long-lasting and painful episode of the condition.

What’s Heel Pain?

The Endoscopic Plantar Fascial Release surgery has an overall high success rate. However, surgery has some potential complex side effects. Some of these side effects include infection, continued pain as the ligament failed to separate completely, calcaneal neuroma, etc. If you’re feeling pain on the bottom of your foot near your heel, pain after exercise or activity, or pain first thing in the morning or after a long period of sitting, then you may have a heel spur. 2 Heel spurs don’t have a magic cure, but you can take steps to ease the pain and to eventually get rid of them.

Medication An oral anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed or recommended. If no pain relief has occurred after 2-3 weeks, then an injection of cortisone and a local anesthetic into the tender area may be advised. The injection can help relieve the pain and tenderness and make physical therapy more effective. After an injection, the athlete should avoid returning to sports for one to two weeks. A successful injection can often spare the need for surgery. Repeated injections should be avoided. Brief term treatments include ice, rest and foot message. Long term solutions include strengthening and stretching of the whole foot, appropriate shoes, and fat burning. About the Author

Alternate heat and cold therapy is one of the most effective home remedies on heel spur. One can soak his feet in warm water (with about a tablespoon of salt mixed in it) for 2-3 minutes, and then immediately soak them in cold water for 2-3 minutes. This process is repeated for 5-6 times ending with warm water. It can be done twice a day, and the results are visible within 3-4 days, when the pain begins to subside, as the blood vessels open and the blood circulation improves. If a person is overweight or obese, adjusting the diet to lose weight may help alleviate pressure on the affected area.

Heel spurs are soft and bendable calcium deposits that result from tension and swelling in the plantar fascia that’s attached to your heel. With every mile you walk, each of your feet is subject to 60 tons of stress, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Plantar fasciitis is a common heel injury, and spurs can result when it is left untreated. Though it may take some time, relieving the pain from heel spurs is possible if you follow some basic steps. Do full heel drops off a stair with slow up and down, allowing the calf and fascia to stretch at the lower end of the movement

Short Description This article was written by Dr. Michele Colon to show that your feet are not supposed to hurt and that foot pain and heel pain need not slow you down. Many runners suffer from plantar fasciitis, but it can be treated by a podiatrist to get you back to running and maintaining your healthy lifestyle. A bone spur, or osteophyte, is a small growth of extra bone that develops on the surface of another bone. Osteophytes may occur in many areas of the body, including the feet, spine, shoulders, knees, hips or fingers.

Heel spur is a very common problem faced by many individuals every day. It is an annoying pain in the heel, which comes and goes away. If left untreated the problem might persist and the patient might have to undergo surgery. The most common symptom is pain in the heels, accompanied by puffy feeling and redness of the heels. It effects worse when you step you foot on the floor in the morning. The most common form of heel pain is mainly due to calcaneal spur. it is one of the most troublesome common health complaint usually affects badly peoples routine work, and once it is manifested very difficult

A week later, unable to bend my pinky finger at all, along with severe pain shooting through my hand and forearm, I decided to see my general physician. One x-ray later, I was deemed okay and no treatment was prescribed. A few more weeks went by; fingers, hand, and arm pain were now at concerning levels. I began searching for a hand specialist. Dr Andrew Napier writes on natural remedies and herbal treatments. He is associated with many renowned health websites. He is an active member of many reputed social networks and works consistently to help people with his knowledge.

There are many possible issues that could be causing your symptoms. Fortunately, there may be a good treatment. There are many causes of heel pain. A heel spur is a possibility – although often these are not that painful. A heel spur occurs from repetitive use of the foot (which we all do) but with inappropriate stress being placed on the heel bone (calcaneous). Because of the stress the bone grows and the spur then can cause problems with the nerves or muscles. Because the bone is the part of the body that is abnormal in a spur, an X-ray

Sometimes, in spite of your heel situation, you’ve just got to wear regular shoes. In a case like this, there is one remedy that I’ve found invaluable, and that involves taping your foot. This works for me where all else fails, but of all the remedies mentioned here, it is most important that you consult a doctor before taping your foot, especially if you are diabetic The first strip goes from just below the big toe all the way to the back of the heel on the inside of your foot.

Another effective treatment is the use of ultrasound. This is what my chiropractor uses to treat my foot. The theory behind the ultrasound is that the sound waves will, over time, break up the heel spur. Once Harry Heel Spur is gone there will be less irritation to my tendons and ligaments. Meaning less pain. In addition, ultrasound will help to relax the tendons and promote healing from the inside out. Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance, preventing sports related foot injuries and properly rehabilitating sprain and strain injury. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won’t be effective.