The diagnosis of heel spur can usually be established with certainty by means of the medical history and physical examination. Radiographic diagnosis is required only in cases refractory to therapy.
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- X-ray of the foot (lateral x-ray of the hindfoot) – visualization of the exostosis (bony prominence), usually a few millimeters (1-5 mm) long, at the calcaneus (heel bone); if necessary, also evidence of calcifications (calcifications) of the surrounding tendons due to chronic insertion tendopathy (irritations at the transition between tendons and bones (= insertion), usually caused by overloading). Pain intensity is independent of the size of the exostosis. Caveat (attention): before the formation of an exostosis, an insertion tendopathy may already be present!
