A heel spur is a bony protrusion formed by the deposition of calcium on the underside of the heel bone. The length of this protrusion reaches 2 cm and is easily diagnosed on x-ray. It is inflammation of the soft tissue in the heel known as “plantar fasciitis” that actually causes pain in the heel area. Plantar fasciitis and heel spur pain are two pains that are often confused, and both are called "heel spurs" among the people.
What Causes Heel Spurs?
In heel spur disease, inflammation (inflammation) occurs due to strain on the attachment of the thin muscles on the sole of the foot to the heel bone, overloading or some inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
An abnormal bone tissue that develops in this region over time causes the formation of heel spurs. Those who are overweight and those who stand for long periods are at risk for heel spurs.
In these people, the load on the sole of the foot has increased and the increase in the load on the sole of the foot is the most important cause of this disease.
What are the Symptoms of Heel Spurs?
Heel spurs usually do not show any symptoms, but heel spur If inflammation has occurred in the area, pain may occur during exercises such as jogging, walking and as soon as you wake up in the morning. The pain does not go away until the inflammation in the tissue does not heal.
What are the Causes of Heel Spurs?
- Deformities on the sole of the foot,
- Obesity ,
- Wearing slippers with hard soles,
- Walking around with bare feet for a long time,
- Working in occupations where standing work is performed,
- With heel spurs patients experience severe pain when standing up, limping, difficulty in wearing shoes, swelling on the soles of the feet and difficulty walking.
What is the Typical Characteristic of Heel Spur Pain?
Morning When getting out of bed or standing up from a sitting position, severe pain occurs in the first few steps taken.
Heel spur disease should come to mind if there is pain in the sole of the foot for those who gain weight fast, those who start a new sport and those who buy a new shoe.
What is the Treatment of Heel Spurs?
Heel spur treatment in the first place ;
- NSAII drugs,
- Orthopedic insoles,
- Physical therapy and exercises are recommended.
- Also, the patient can;
- Rest,
- Silicone heel pad,
- Fungus insoles,
- Local cortisone therapy,
- ESWT therapy can be applied.
What is ESWT?
ESWT, low-energy and high-energy shock are waves. It has different application areas according to hard tissue and soft tissue. High-energy applications are made in hard tissues, low-energy applications are made in soft tissues. Detection of ptotheses.Soft tissue applications;
- Shoulder calcification
- Heel spur,
- Tennis elbow,
- Golfer's elbow,
- Patellar tentinitis,
- Achilles tendonitis,
- Trochanteric bush.
How is ESWT Applied?
Different shock numbers and frequencies are applied for hard and soft tissues.
- For hard tissues: 2 - 3 sessions, 1-2 hours;
- For soft tissues: 3 - 5 sessions are applied for 20 - 30 minutes.
ESWT has outperformed technically challenging and expensive methods.
ESWT Treatment What are the Biological Changes in the Applied Area?
Shock wave therapy is a special type of treatment that reaches the diseased areas and stimulates the natural healing process. The result is faster healing, reduction in pain, reduction in swelling and inflammation. A series of biological reactions occur when cells are exposed to ESWT energy. As a result of these reactions, some healing effects occur. For example, it has been stated that by irritating the nerve endings in tennis elbow, it prevents nerve cells from transmitting pain. Otherwise, there is no procedure such as breaking the calcified tissue.
- Heel cortisone injection,
- PRP injection in the heel,
- Radiofrequency current therapy,
- Ultrasound and electrotherapy,
- Manual therapy
- Acupuncture treatments.
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