Calcaneal spur (heel/bone spur)

A Calcaneal spur or heel spur is a calcium deposit causing a bony protrusion (osteophyte) on your heel bone (calcaneus). It is typically detected in a radiological examination (X-ray).

Heel spurs are often caused by strains on the foot muscles and ligaments, inflammation of the plantar fascia (the bow-string like tissue stretching from the heel underneath the sole to the ball of the foot) called plantar fasciitis, and repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone – a process that usually occurs over a period of many months.

Heel spurs are especially common among athletes whose activities include large amounts of running and jumping especially over the hard surfaces, obese people, flat-footed people and people who have high arched feet or who often wear high-heeled shoes.

Increasing age – which decreases the plantar fascia flexibility and thins the heel’s protective fat pad, diabetes, poorly fitted or badly worn shoes – especially those lacking appropriate arch support, spending most of the day on one’s feet, and frequent short bursts of physical activity can also put one under high risk for heel spurs.

They can occur at the back or underside of the heel bone around the ligaments and tendons of the foot, where they are attached to the bone.

 A posterior calcaneal spur develops at the back of the heel and is associated with inflammation of the Achilles tendon – Achilles tendinitis. It typically causes tenderness and pain at the back of the heel, made worse by pushing of the ball of the foot.

An inferior calcaneal spur develops under the sole and is associated with inflammation of the plantar fascia but may also be associated with ankylosing spondylitis esp in children. This causes localized tenderness and pain made worse by stepping down on the heel, is worse in the morning on first stepping your heel on the floor and also increases on walking. You may not be able to bear weight on the afflicted heel comfortably. Running, walking, or lifting heavy weight may exacerbate the pain.

Treatment is designed –

•  To decrease inflammation and swelling at the site of the spur and avoid injury.
•  Icing helps.
•  Anti-inflammatory drugs or cortisone injections are also used.
•  Heel lifts reduce stress on the Achilles tendon thus relieving pain at the back of heels.
•  “Donut” shaped shoe inserts take the pressure off plantar spurs.
•  If it’s very large it may require surgical removal.

   

  

  

  

  

Homoeopathy offers effective and permanent cure by taking care of the deranged metabolism. Medicine like Calcarea Fluor, Ammonium Mur, Ruta, Aranea Diadema, Rhus Tox, Ledum Pal, Aurum Met, Thuja and Mezereum to name a few, work specifically on the heel to reduce inflammation of the bony tissue and tendons, prevent further enlargement of the spur and even its eventual dissolution in some cases if given in early stages. Though radiological cure may not be possible in all cases, still homoeopathy is a highly recommended line of treatment.

So if you suffer from recurrent heel pain, do not ignore it and see your homoeopath at once.

(Published in Health 24×7, issue 3, December 2010)