Orthopedics-Online

Symptoms of a calcaneal spur

Pain in the heel

A heel spur does not necessarily have to cause discomfort. Some people have no symptoms for a long time, which is why the Heel spur can go undetected for a long time. However, when it has reached a certain level or the usually accompanying one inflammation of the tendon cord on the Bottom of foot (Plantar fascia) has set in, a heel spur is always symptomatic.

The main symptom of the heel spur is pain in the heel area. This pain can vary in type, severity, and frequency from patient to patient. As a rule, however, they are perceived as stinging, sometimes also burning, like "as if you were kicking a nail". This pain occurs especially in the morning immediately after getting up during the first steps of the day (this is known as the so-called start-up pain) and generally when it occurs.
In principle, however, they can appear irregular at any time, whether during exercise or at rest. Usually the pain is felt most clearly on the inside of the foot, but in some cases it can radiate into the surrounding foot or even down to the lower leg. In order to protect the painful area, many people who suffer from heel spurs tend to walk on the outside of the foot. The ability to roll the foot while walking is also restricted. In some cases, the pain is accompanied by swelling, overheating and / or reddening of the heel, which is a sign of an already pronounced inflammation.

Read about this too Pain in the lateral heel

Appointment with an expert in calcaneal spur?

I would be happy to advise you!

Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
But now enough is indicated ;-)

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.

You can find me in:

Lumedis - your orthopedic surgeon
Kaiserstrasse 14
60311 Frankfurt am Main

Directly to the online appointment arrangement
Unfortunately, it is currently only possible to make an appointment with private health insurers. I hope for your understanding!
Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert

One differentiates between one upper and one lower Heel spur. These impress with slightly different symptoms. Patients with an upper calcaneal spur feel particularly sensitive to pressure in the area of the Achilles tendon, especially in Ankle height. In the case of a lower heel spur, this tenderness is more likely to occur Tendon insertion, so a little further down in the lateral heel area.

First of all, the symptoms caused by a heel spur get better over the course of the day and are bearable. However, the longer this disease remains untreated, the more the risk of the symptoms increases chronic and lead to a severe impairment of everyday life, which is why therapy is absolutely recommended.

Figure heel spur

Heel spur - calcaneus spur
(bony outgrowth)

Lower (plantar) heel spur
Upper (dorsal) heel spur
Calcaneal tuberosity -
Calcaneal tuberosity
Heel bone - Calcaneus
Achilles tendon -
Tendo calcaneus
External calf muscle -
M. gastrocnemius,
Caput laterale
Shin - Tibia
Fibula - Fibula
Ankle bone - Talus
Scaphoid bone - Navicular bone
External sphenoid bone -
Os cuneiform laterale
Cuboid bone - Os cuboideum
Sole tendon plate -
Plantar aponeurosis

A - picture of heel with a lower one
and upper calcaneal spur
B - Left foot from the outside