Heel spur - bone outgrowth on the foot bones

Many people develop a heel spur in the course of their life, which is characterized by hacking pain, which can occur especially under stress and can be very disturbing and restrictive for those affected. Partially, movement is hardly possible. With various therapeutic measures, however, the symptoms can be significantly alleviated.

contents

• Synonyms
• Occurrence and symptoms
• causes
• treatment
• Naturopathy

Synonyms

Various synonyms describe the symptoms of heel spurs, which also serve to differentiate different forms. Haglund exostosis, Haglund syndrome, Haglund heel, lower heel spur, upper heel spur, continuum distorsion at the heel, hack continuum distortion, or plantar continuum distortion are terms used herein. The bone outgrowth on the heel bone (calcaneus), which among other things forms our heels, is also called calcaneal spur due to its connection with the heel bone.

A heel spur can occur both at the tendon insertion under the foot (as in the picture) and at the heel bone upper tendon insertion. (Image: Whyona / fotolia.com)

Occurrence and symptoms

The bone outgrowth can occur at the top of the bone at the base of the Achilles tendon and is then called Haglund exostosis or Haglund syndrome (according to the Swedish orthopedist Patrick Haglund). Far more often it occurs under the foot (plantar), where it is called lower or plantar heel spur.

Bone growth does not necessarily cause discomfort. Estimates suggest that ten to around 30 percent of the population will have corresponding changes. Most often, this occurs in people between the ages of 40 and 60, but often remains symptom-free. Other people complain of swelling, local tenderness and hacking in the form of heel pain (mostly on the move).

Often a lower heel spur is associated with inflammation of the vision plate (plantar fasciitis) under the foot. (Picture bilderzwergfotolia.com)

causes

The ossification occurs at the interface between bone and ligament and / or bone and tendon. As a cause, so-called micro-tears are suspected as a result of overload, so that the approach must reinforce or can. Due to the additional limescale retention, the structures should gain stability, but the resulting spur can in turn press on the surrounding tissue and cause corresponding discomfort.

In most cases, the trigger is a repeated overload or incorrect load. People who stand, walk or walk a lot are therefore at particular risk. Even the wrong footwear can play a significant role in the emergence. In addition, persons with obesity show an increased disease risk. Other risk factors include malalignment of the feet and impaired musculature.

treatment

In the concept according to the fascial distortion model, the transition point between bone and ligament and / or bone and tendon is treated with pointy pain with strong thumb pressure. In the treatment concept after osteopathy is usually looked at, which factors have led to the fact that the bone extraction has formed. Factors here are often one-sided stress or strength in the posterior structures of the leg, which is why in osteopathy in the treatment of complaints in more distant regions are interesting, such as neck tension.

Backache, low back pain or buttock pain are also included in the diagnosis and treatment of heel spurs, as the hacking nerves are from the lumbar spine and the crura region.

Rapid relief of discomfort can result in the wearing of appropriate insoles, which help to prevent further discomfort. In addition, sufferers are often advised to temporarily rest in order to provide relief. In recent years, extracorporeal shockwave therapy has become established as the treatment approach in many practices. However, the scientific evidence on their effect is not yet sufficient to clearly pronounce a corresponding treatment recommendation. Also, the statutory health insurance does not cover the costs of treatment here.

Surgery may also be considered if other therapeutic measures can not be alleviated, but again there is no assurance that those affected will remain symptom free in the long term.

A natural remedy for heel spur is the horsetail (also known as field horsetail), which is used here in the form of baths and washes. (Image: womue / fotolia.com)

Naturopathy

From the field of natural medicine also offers the horsetail (field horsetail) to treat a heel spur. Maria Treben had already described this in her book "Health from the Pharmacy of God". Accordingly, washes and baths based on horsetail are a very effective natural agent. Also, the Zinnraut, after it has been brewed, still warmly beat in a cloth and hang up on the hack. (tf, fp)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)

Picture 1: Raffaela