Many people, among them - some doctors confuse spur on his heel and plantar fasciitis. Although these diagnoses are related - they are not the same. Plantar fasciitis - an inflammation of the plantar fascia, the tissue that forms the arch of the foot. Spurs on their heels - a bone formation in the calcaneus, which is usually associated with plantar fasciitis. Approximately 70% of patients with this disorder are spurs on their heels, which can be seen using X-rays.

Causes

Spurs on their heels are common among patients who have a history of pain in the feet caused by plantar fasciitis. The bulk of the patients with spurs - middle-aged people, but it is found in violation of the representatives of all age groups. It is believed that by themselves are not a spur of the primary cause of pain, most likely the case in inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia.

Heel spurs diagnosed if an x-ray at the bottom of the foot is visible outgrowth of bone located where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone.

The plantar fascia - a thick connective tissue that runs from the heel bone to the foot Koski. This durable fabric helps maintain the arch of the foot and distribute the weight on the foot while walking or running. Obviously, every day on the plantar fascia has to a huge burden.

If the plantar fascia becomes inflamed fascia, and usual activities, including walking, can be very painful for a man. Usually the symptoms are particularly severe in the morning. At this time, the plantar fascia is particularly dense, and even the most simple movements cause pain. Usually, after a while the fascia stretches and weakens the pain, but it can come back if a person spends a lot of time on their feet. Heel spurs are usually formed in humans, which for a long time suffered from plantar fasciitis.

Treatment

In order to cure spur on his heel, it is necessary to treat plantar fasciitis. Typically, to eliminate the symptoms of heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are used:

• Recreation

To relieve the pain and discomfort in the feet, to avoid activities that aggravate symptoms. For example, a few days to give up runs and try not to spend a lot of time on their feet. Rest will help eliminate a lot of pain and, to some extent, reduce inflammation.

• Ice

Ice very well reduces pain in the feet. Put in the freezer for two plastic bottles filled with water and when the water is frozen, place them on the floor, sit close by, and within 10-15 minutes Roll the their bare feet on the floor.

• Exercises

There are many exercises designed to stretch and relax the tissues located around the heel bone. For example:

1. Stand facing a wall, place your hands against the wall, feet shoulder width apart. Take the left leg back, put your feet completely on the floor, so that you feel tension in the ankle and heel. Repeat 15-20 times for each leg.
2. Stand on a gymnastic bench - preferably next to the wall so that you can rest on it for balance. Take the left leg back, so that the toes were on the bench, and the rest of the foot was in the air. Drag the heel of the foot down to the ground until you feel a strong tension. Hold this position for a few seconds, then repeat for the other leg. Perform the exercise 15-20 times.

Your doctor may recommend exercises appropriate for your particular case.

• Anti-inflammatory drugs

Anti-inflammatory medications can also help control pain and reduce inflammation. Typically, this task cope OTC drugs, but in some cases may require stronger prescription anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Orthopedic insoles

Orthopedic insoles are used successfully to treat symptoms of plantar fasciitis and related issues, including - spurs on their heels. They allow you to go about their daily activities without pain.

These treatments help to cope with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs most patients. Many of these improvements noticed within three months of application of these means, and more than 90% - within one year.

If the pain does not pass through other means, it can be recommended cortisone injection - a drug that removes the inflammation of the plantar fascia. However, doctors usually do not like cortisone injections in the heel area because of possible serious complications, including atrophy of the fat pad and rupture of the plantar fascia.

A new way to treat plantar fasciitis and heel spurs is extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). This method of treatment using energy pulses which cause microtraumas tissue located around the heel spurs Heel spur - walking on coals . These microtrauma stimulating beginning of a process of tissue repair. ESWT is recommended for patients who have failed more simple methods of treatment and are considering surgery.

To prevent the re-formation of spurs on their heels after successful treatment, it is necessary, first of all, the right to choose their own shoes. Firstly, the shoe should be ideally suited for the size - both in length and in width. Secondly, it should be enough to support the arch of the foot. Finally, it is important to continue to do the exercises for the legs - is the easiest and safest way to maintain the flexibility of the foot and prevent the re-occurrence of unpleasant symptoms.

Approximately 5% of patients do not help either one of the above treatments. In such cases it is important to conservative therapies used at least for a year before the patient and the doctor began to weigh the opportunity to do the surgery. Inadequate treatment before surgery can cause complications after surgery.