Lower heel spur
Some patients have a bony outgrowth below the heel. This is also called a plantar heel spur. This type of heel spur can either be congenital or acquired.
If it is congenital, it can be present unnoticed for years and cause no discomfort. Acquired heel spurs in this area usually cause discomfort and lead to pain and impaired movement. Acquired heel spurs are usually caused by overloading the arch of the foot or by wearing the wrong shoes and unsuitable soles.
The plantar heel spur rather does not affect the Achilles tendon but the tendon-like connections that are stretched out on the sole of the foot. This tendon strand unfolds along the sole of the foot and extends to the tips of the feet. The tendon cord is called plantar fascia and is also responsible for the stability of the arch of the foot.
The plantar fascia plays a decisive role in the shape of the foot and also contributes to the statics of the foot and the load-bearing capacity. In the worst case, a plantar heel spur can lead to inflammation of the plantar fascia. In this case, there is severe pain in the area of the sole of the foot and the transition to the heel bone.
The pain is usually pulling to burning and can be intensified and provoked by stress on the foot. All movements that lead to an increase in pressure on the arch of the foot can increase the pain. Strong to very strong pain can therefore be caused by jumping.
In addition to the pain, the plantar fascia can also become increasingly insufficient, which in this case becomes increasingly thicker. In addition, it becomes more immobile and the movements in this area can no longer be carried out completely. In severe cases, this can also lead to instability in the area of the plantar fascia.
In this case, the 100% statics of the foot would no longer be guaranteed. A severe plantar fascial insufficiency would become visible by a subsidence of the arch of the foot.An increasingly developing flat foot, which was not present before, could therefore indicate a heel spur in the area of the lower part of the foot. Plantar heel spurs occur in about 10% of the population.
In many cases, those affected are not aware that they have such a bony protrusion. The heel spur can usually be detected by two important diagnostic measures. On the one hand, a detailed physical examination with palpation of the sole of the foot and the heel can provide indications of a heel spur, and on the other hand, an x-ray of the affected foot is the most important diagnostic measure. It should be carried out in two planes in order to be able to visualize even invisible angles of the foot.
