The heel spur is a bony outgrowth at the back of the bone of the heel. It is therefore also called calcaneal spur or exostosis. This new bone formation can either grow towards the sole of the foot, in which case it is a plantar heel spur, or towards the Achilles tendon, which is then called a dorsal heel spur. The heel spur does not always cause pain and is therefore often discovered accidentally. However, some people affected do experience very severe pain, which can be very uncomfortable, especially under stress and when walking, so that treatment becomes necessary.
Causes
The heel spur is caused by overstraining the foot. This can lead to minor injuries and tears at the transition of the tendon to the bone. Inflammatory reactions can develop from these minor injuries.
Cells of the immune system are attracted and promote healing by stimulating remodelling processes. Among other things, this also leads to small calcifications, which eventually grow into a calcaneus spur. There are various risk factors, such as predisposition or overweight, which favour the development of a calcaneal spur.
From occupationally caused long standing or constant going can represent an overloading of the heel. Malpositioning of the foot, such as a kinked, fallen foot or flat foot, can also lead to tendon injuries due to unfavorable bone alignment. Another cause can be insufficient warm-up exercises before sporting activities such as jogging.
The ligaments and tendons of the foot are then suddenly and without pre-stretching strongly tensed and exposed to great force. This can cause the small tears that contribute to the development of a heel spur. If a heel spur already exists, it is reinforced by each additional strain. In order not to aggravate the symptoms, treatment should therefore be initiated.
Jogging as a risk factor
Regular jogging is healthy, but it also puts an enormous strain on the foot. With every step of the run, the respective foot is subjected to a shock that is also transferred to the surrounding ligaments and tendons. Those who regularly practice this sport should make sure they wear the right shoes and avoid excessive strain.
Before running, the correct warm-up exercises should therefore be performed. They prepare the muscles, tendons and ligaments for the upcoming strain. In this way, small injuries and micro-cracks can be avoided and ultimately also prevent the development of a heel spur.
Because particularly by the stress of the foot with the jogging small injuries are again and again caused, which contribute to the fact that with the time a ever more largely becoming Kalkaneussporn can develop this can be finally so far advanced that it causes particularly in the range of the Plantarfaszie (lower heel spur) or the Achilles’ tendon (rear heel spur) unpleasant pain. For the passionate jogger, this is an enormous problem, as jogging may no longer be possible under these conditions. Pain in the heels can be the first sign of overstrain.
For this reason, you should refrain from sports in good time and consult your doctor for clarification. People with a heel spur can go jogging, but the calcaneal spur is aggravated and can lead to pleasant symptoms, which then make treatment and possibly surgical removal unavoidable. Joggers with heel spurs should therefore take a few measures to ensure that jogging with an existing heel spur remains free of complaints for as long as possible.
In addition, the right sports shoes provide the necessary support to protect tendons and ligaments from injury. Special insoles can also be placed in the running shoes. They provide additional cushioning and absorb the shocks while running.
In case of a heel spur that grows towards the sole of the foot, an insole with a hole-like recess can be used. Furthermore, gel-filled insoles are very good at protecting the foot from overloading and relieving the sensitive or already damaged tendon insertions. In the case of a rear heel spur that grows in the direction of the Achilles’ heel, heel cushions can redistribute the load and also prevent renewed complaints.
If you go jogging despite a heel spur, you should create a good balance between stress and rest.Giving the foot a break, elevating and cooling it can delay the progression of a growing heel spur. In case of pain, stress should be avoided at all costs. If the pain becomes more frequent and worse, it is advisable to consult a doctor and seek further treatment.
