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Plantar fasciitis, or popularly called “calcaneal spur,” is often accompanied by pain in the foot area, complicates the walking process, and leads to microtrauma of tissues. The causes of the disease are flat feet, improperly selected heel height, excess weight. The human foot has an arched shape and is maintained in such a condition as a stretched bowstring, an internal ligament that fastens with one end to the heel, the other, branching, to the toes. It is inflammation and "ossification" of the calcaneal tendon of this ligament that leads to pain, limiting foot mobility. The maximum pain manifests itself after sleep, at the beginning of walking.
The disease is diagnosed using radiography and ultrasound. The x-ray gives an image of a calcium-coated (ossified) ligament in the form of a small spike-like growth - spurs, an ultrasound examination reveals an inflammatory process in this area. The disease significantly limits a person's ability to walk normally. In this case, the treatment of the disease is not costly and not long-term with timely treatment by a specialist. Currently, the following physiotherapeutic methods for the treatment of heel spurs are used: x-ray therapy, laser therapy, ultrasound, shock-wave therapy, injections of hormonal drugs, electrophoresis using potassium iodide and novocaine.
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the most commonly used methods of treating the disease.
1. A method called shock wave therapy of the heel spur (UHT) is based on the use of hydroacoustic waves, which, passing through the cells of the heel tissue, meet with an obstacle, a ossified ligament, and gently act on it. With this effect, calcium deposits are gradually destroyed. In addition, shock wave therapy of the heel spur improves blood flow, and, as a result, blood supply to the inflamed tissue area.
The advantages of this method are undeniable. Firstly, the method is non-surgical and practically painless. The duration of the procedures is about 15 minutes, the multiplicity depending on the severity of the disease is 4-6 procedures with an interval of 3 weeks between them. Secondly, this method gives a very high percentage of cured patients and the absence of relapse, and the pain disappears after two sessions. Currently, shock wave therapy of the heel spur is a unique way to treat the disease.
In addition to the method of shock wave therapy, there are two more, no less popular and effective methods of treatment. Consider them.
2. The method of magneto-laser therapy (MLT, or treatment of heel spurs with a laser) is based on the effect of a low-intensity light beam (laser) on the diseased cells of the patient and on the affected area of ​​the magnetic field. As a result, there is an increase in the body's immunity, an improvement in energy metabolism, an anti-inflammatory effect is observed, the elasticity of cell membranes is restored. Due to the complex effect on the body, MLT is also successfully used to treat heel spurs.
3. X-ray therapy of the heel spur, the so-called yet another method of treating the heel skor, which is based on the effect of low-power x-ray radiation on body tissues. Distinguish between surface (voltage on the tube of the apparatus 20-60kV) and deep (voltage on the tube of the apparatus 180-400 kV) therapy. The first is used to treat diseases of the dermatological sphere, and the second is successfully used to treat inflammatory processes that occur deeper. Under the influence of radiation, protective fermentation is formed in the cells, and connective tissue is stimulated.
Of course, all three methods have their advantages and disadvantages. But still I would like to dwell in more detail on the first method of heel spur therapy. According to experts, this method deserves the greatest respect, since it is the most effective. The main aspect of the success of this process is the timely treatment of the patient to specialists who will select the most appropriate method of treatment.
The effectiveness of this method can be judged by statistical data. Among the 100 patients surveyed who were treated with heel spur using shock wave therapy, about 90 people reported a positive effect and only 10 found it difficult to answer. In addition, many highlighted the fact that the treatment is almost painless or barely noticeable, there are no unpleasant sensations after such therapy. Of course, a lot of money will have to be paid for the service: one session costs about $ 40, at least 2-3 sessions will be needed to relieve unpleasant symptoms, and about 5 (for the individual patient’s body characteristics) to recover completely.
Unfortunately, this method has a number of contraindications. Shock wave therapy for heel spurs is contraindicated in pregnant women, people with poor blood coagulation, and malignant tumors. It is also not recommended that this method of therapy be administered to people with diabetes mellitus, who have inflammatory foci in the area of ​​spurs (purulent formations, cracks, etc.).