Drug treatment

There are no drugs that can make a heel spur disappear. However, the healing process can be accelerated with some drugs. All of these drugs are aimed at reducing the pain and the inflammation that occurs.

Drugs that can achieve both at the same time are often taken. The so-called anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Voltaren or Ibuprofen are always popular. Due to their stomach-damaging effect, however, they should only be taken for a certain period of time.

Long-term use is rather not recommended and if so, stomach protection should be provided by taking Pantozol®. In severe cases, the drug can also be administered as an injection into the affected region. In most cases, an analgesic is injected near the calcaneus.

An attempt can also be made to inhibit the inflammatory reaction with cortisone.Medicinal gels and lotions that have a cooling effect on the skin can be used, as well as herbal ointments that can be applied to the skin above the heel to relieve the discomfort. Sometimes the use of Kytta ointment can be useful and is described as relieving pain and inflammation. In cases where conservative therapy approaches are unsuccessful, surgical intervention should be considered.

This is especially used when there are severe courses and symptoms of a heel spur that severely restrict the patient and his everyday life and mobility. The surgical procedure can be performed either under general or spinal anaesthesia. During the operation, an incision of about 5 cm is made at the level of the heel bone on the sole of the foot and an access is made to the so-called plantar aponeurosis, the tendonous plate that forms the actual sole of the foot.

Afterwards, either this sinewy plate is split or a piece of it is cut out. This should be done at the level of the bony calcaneal spur. The bony protrusion is made room by this procedure so that it does not come into direct contact with the tendon, which ultimately leads to the described complaints.

In some cases, the actual heel spur is removed during the operation. The heel is then closed again. After the operation, the foot should be spared as much as possible to avoid an immediate recurrence of a heel spur.

This is followed by regular physiotherapy, which consists of stretching exercises and strength building. After approx. 3 months, the patient should be able to put full weight on the foot again and be able to perform everyday movements without restrictions.