Synonyms
calcaneus spur, calcaneus spur, lower heel spur, upper heel spur, dorsal heel spur, fasciitis plantaris
Definition heel spur what is it?
A heel spur is generally understood to be a bony outgrowth that occurs in the area of the foot and can lead to severe discomfort when walking and even at rest. In principle, heel spurs are the result of the smallest trauma to the muscles in this area. Overloading causes the smallest cracks in the area of the sinewy attachment points of the muscle to the bone.
The body begins with appropriate repair measures in the form of increasing tissue accumulation in the area of the defective attachment point. If the muscularly straining situation is not changed, tissue accumulation continues until finally ossification results. This ossification is unformed and usually extends into the physical turning and twisting area of the muscle. For this reason, it can lead to complaints in the form of pain and impaired movement. In principle, heel spurs can occur at two different points in the area of the foot.
Upper heel spur
This is a bony outgrowth at the point where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone (calcaneus). The Achilles tendon attaches to this bone for purely mechanical reasons. If this tendon contracts or the associated muscle contracts, the heel bone is pulled upwards and the tip of the foot lowers.
This movement, which occurs in large numbers during normal walking during the day, causes strong forces and friction. If a bony thickening occurs at the point of attachment of the Achilles tendon, the frictional forces are increased and there is increased pressure on the Achilles tendon, which can lead to sometimes very severe complaints. This type of heel spurs is also known as Haglund exostosis.
It is usually not acquired but congenital. In some cases, it does not lead to complaints at all and is not noticed by those affected. Sometimes, this type of heel spur causes the bursae that are located nearby to become inflamed, which causes discomfort.
In some cases it can also lead to an inflammation of the site of attachment of the Achilles tendon. In this case, those affected would also complain of pain in the heel area. The position of the heel spur is more at the lateral heel.
