Synonyms
calcaneus spur, calcaneus spur, lower heel spur, upper heel spur, dorsal heel spur, fasciitis plantaris
Definition
Since a heel spur is in many cases also caused by overloading or incorrect loading of the foot and the entire skeletal apparatus, it is particularly important to take care of the heel spur while treating it. This helps to ensure that the chosen therapy has a better and faster effect and that a heel spur cannot reproduce itself as quickly. If sports and a lot of exercise were done before the onset of the complaint, this should be reduced at least for the beginning of the treatment. Extreme sports such as marathon running or climbing and racing biking should be completely avoided during this time in order to protect the ligaments and tendons in the foot area and to allow the corresponding inflammatory reactions associated with a heel spur to subside more quickly. As a rule, the leg and foot do not need to be bandaged.
General measures
In addition to physical rest, other supportive measures should be taken to promote the general recovery process. These include cooling the joint and the foot area. Putting the foot up can also do no harm, but this is not absolutely necessary. Above all, short-term protection should be carried out.
Compensation of the incorrect load
In addition to the treatment by physical protection, which above all reduces the overloading of the heel bone, the incorrect loading of the foot should also be treated. One measure to achieve this would be the adaptation and use of appropriate shoe insoles. For this treatment, an orthopedist should first be consulted to diagnose a possible defective posture and to carry out an adjustment with compensatory insoles.
Once the insoles are manufactured, they should be worn consistently. If the outer edge of the foot is subjected to too much stress, insoles are prescribed that are elevated on the outside. The foot is thus pressed inwards, which, if worn consistently, leads to straightening and to a relief of the entire arch of the foot including the heel.
If the inner edge is too heavily loaded, it is exactly the other way round. The inner side of the foot is pressed upwards by a suitably designed insole and thus leads to straightening. In addition to the insoles, appropriately crafted shoes can also be worn, which have the elevation on the outside of the shoe sole.
Depending on the severity of the malposition, both measures can be combined. In order to prevent heel spur formation from the very beginning, regular treatment should be carried out by stretching the calf to relieve the Achilles tendon. In most cases, patients are not aware that they are anatomically prone to heel spurs and will refrain from these prophylactic exercises.
Even after the appearance of a heel spur, appropriate stretching exercises can help to stretch the Achilles tendon and relieve the strain accordingly. However, care should be taken that the exercises are performed carefully and increased slowly to avoid overloading. During the development of a calcaneal spur there is usually also an accompanying inflammation, which would be intensified by overstretching.
For this reason, all stretching exercises should be carried out carefully. During these exercises the tip of the foot should be moved slightly upwards and the stretching should then be increased bit by bit. If strong pain occurs during the stretching exercises, the strength of the stretch should be reduced.
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