Heel spur what is it?

Synonyms

Calcaneus spur, Calcaneus spur, lower heel spur, upper heel spur, dorsal heel spur, plantar fasciitis

Definition of heel spur what is it?

Under a Heel spur generally one understands one bony outgrowththat is in the area of ​​the Foot occur and cause severe discomfort To run and can lead in peace. Heel spurs are, in principle, a result of the smallest trauma in the area that starts in this area Musculature. By Overload there are tiny tears in the area of ​​the tendinous attachment points of the muscle to the bone. The body begins with appropriate Repair measures in the form of increasing tissue accumulation in the area of ​​the defective attachment point. If the muscular stressful situation is not changed, one will always continue Tissue accumulationuntil finally one ossification this results. This ossification is unformed and usually protrudes into the physical turning and turning area of ​​the muscle. Because of this, this can lead to discomfort in the form of Pain and Movement impairments to lead. In principle, heel spurs can occur in two different places in the area of ​​the foot.

Upper heel spur

This is a bony outgrowth at the point of attachment of the Achilles tendon at the Heel bone (Calcaneus). The Achilles tendon attaches to this bone for purely mechanical reasons. Because if this tendon or the associated muscle contracts, the heel bone is pulled upwards and the tip of the foot lowers. This movement, which occurs numerous times during normal running, creates strong forces and friction. Now kick one bony thickening at the point of attachment of the Achilles tendon, the frictional forces are increased and there is increased pressure on the Achilles tendon, which can lead to severe discomfort. This type of heel spurs is also called Haglund exostosis designated. It is usually not acquired but innate. In some cases it does not cause any symptoms at all and is not even noticed by those affected. Sometimes this type of heel spur has the Bursathat are in the vicinity become inflamed and cause discomfort. In some cases, the Achilles tendon attachment point may become inflamed. In this case, those affected would also be over Pain complain in the area of ​​the heel. The position of the heel spur is more on the lateral heel.

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Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
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Athletes (joggers) are particularly often affected by the disease of the heel spur. In many cases, the cause of the inflammation of the heel spur cannot be identified at first. Therefore, the treatment requires a lot of experience. I focus on the heel spur.
The aim of every treatment is treatment without surgery with a complete recovery of performance.

Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

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Lower heel spur

Some patients have a bony outgrowth below the heel. This is also called plantar calcaneal spur designated. This type of heel spur can be either innate or acquired be. If it is innate, it can last for years unnoticed be present and not make any complaints. Acquired heel spurs in this area usually cause discomfort and lead to Pain and Movement impairments. Acquired heel spurs usually come through Overloads the arch of the foot or by wearing it wrong shoes and unsuitable soles. The plantar heel spur does not affect the Achilles tendon but rather the tendon-like connectionsthat stretch on the sole of the foot. This tendon cord unfolds along the Sole of the foot and pulls into the Toes in front. The tendon cord is called the Plantar fascia and is labeled with for the stability of the arch of the foot. The plantar fascia is significantly involved in the shape of the foot and also contributes to it Statics of the foot and the Load capacity at.
In the worst case, a plantar heel spur can lead to one inflammation the plantar fascia come. In this case it comes to severe pain in the area of ​​the sole of the foot and the transition to the heel bone. The pain is mostly pulling to burning and can be intensified and provoked by stress on the foot. Any movement that increases the pressure on the arch of the foot can increase the discomfort. For this reason, severe to very severe pain can be caused by the Leap be evoked. In addition to the pain, increasing insufficiency of the plantar fascia can also occur, which in this case increasingly thickens. Furthermore, she will more immobile, the movements in this area can no longer be fully carried out. For this reason, instability in the area of ​​the plantar fascia can also occur to a large extent. In this case the 100% statics of the foot would no longer be guaranteed. A strong one would become visible Plantar Fascia Insufficiency by a sagging arch of the foot. An increasingly emerging Flat footthat was not present before could indicate a heel spur in the area of ​​the lower part of the foot.
Plantar heel spurs appear at approx. 10 % of the population. In many cases, those affected do not know that they have such a bony protrusion. Heel spur can usually be identified by two important diagnostic measures. For one, the detailed physical exam can be done with Touch the sole of the foot and the heel give evidence of a heel spur, furthermore the 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 make visible corners of the foot that are not visible.

Figure heel spur

Heel spur - calcaneus spur
(bony outgrowth)

1. Lower (plantar) heel spur
2. Upper (dorsal) heel spur
3. Calcaneal tuberosity -
   Calcaneal tuberosity
4. Heel bone - Calcaneus
5. Achilles tendon -
   Tendo calcaneus
6. External calf muscle -
   M. gastrocnemius,
   Caput laterale
7. Shin - Tibia
8. Fibula - Fibula
9. Ankle bone - Talus
10. Scaphoid bone - Navicular bone
11. External sphenoid bone -
    Os cuneiform laterale
12. Cuboid bone - Os cuboideum
13. Sole tendon plate -
    Plantar aponeurosis
    
    A - picture of heel with a lower one
    and upper calcaneal spur
    B - Left foot from the outside

You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations