In most cases, pain in the heel indicates the appearance of spurs. This is a growth on the bone, which causes a lot of inconvenience. It is worth noting that this ailment is quite common, especially in elderly people. The causes and symptoms of pathology can be many, we will consider them in more detail in our article. If such a problem occurs, it is recommended to perform exercises with heel spur. It must be remembered that before proceeding to the main thing, you must first do exercises, stretching. This will help eliminate pain and prepare the body for a set of exercises.
What it is?
In the medical dictionary, the heel spur is recorded as plantar fasciitis. The name of the pathology very accurately reflects the essence of the problem - inflammation of the muscle fascia and membrane around. Fasciitis can occur as a result of regular increased loads. Fascia begins to become inflamed and injured, and then calcium deposits appear, which is the heel spur.
It should be understood that bone growth does not occur only in older people. Although, of course, they have a higher chance of acquiring this pathology than young people. The formation of fasciitis is an unpleasant ailment that prevents you from simply moving on your feet. With any load, there is severe pain that makes you stop. It is imperative to perform exercises with heel spur. Thanks to them, the leg will develop, and the pain will also subside.
Causes of occurrence
Consider the categories of people who are most susceptible to this disease, as well as diseases that cause fasciitis. So, the high probability of spurs in the following groups:
- who is constantly on their feet in connection with the characteristics of the profession;
- professional athletics;
- overweight people;
- those who suffer from flat feet;
- women wearing high-heeled shoes.
Among this list stands flat feet. Many people do not consider this a problem, not knowing how this ailment interferes with life. When walking, legs get tired very quickly, and calf muscles are tense all the time.
Causes of heel spurs can be attributed to certain diseases. Gout, ankylosing spondylitis, deforming arthrosis, etc. are especially dangerous. It is worth noting that the spur is formed due to a specific reason that needs to be identified before the treatment complex.
Signs of pathology
The main symptom of fasciitis is acute pain in the heel. Moreover, unpleasant sensations arise constantly: when walking, running, and even just in a standing position. Consider some types of pain that can occur with this pathology:
- pain is acute or aching;
- the gait becomes lame, since it is impossible to step on a sore heel;
- unpleasant sensations usually appear after a long rest at the first steps;
- if the load intensifies, the pain acts similarly.
The heel spur as such is only 10% of the total number of growths. It can be old and not cause pain. However, at the physiological level, the growth will be felt. How to treat heel spur at home? We will talk about this below.
Diagnostics
When the first signs appear, it is recommended to consult a specialist. In this case, there is a small problem, not everyone knows who exactly needs to be registered. So which doctor should I contact for heel spur? To begin with, it is worth visiting a rheumatologist. However, if a bone growth has formed as a result of a severe injury, visit an orthopedist.
After an external examination, the specialist will send the patient for a medical examination. In this case, it includes:
- X-ray
- if there are problems with the diagnosis, an MRI is prescribed;
- ultrasound is performed when the heel needs to be studied many times;
- blood tests, including biochemical and general.
After determining the diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe a course of therapy. In any case, it will include therapeutic exercises and exercises for heel spur. Therefore, you need to prepare for small physical exertion.
Drug treatment
It is worth noting that there are a huge number of methods and methods of therapy. After we have decided which doctor to contact with a heel spur, we can proceed with direct treatment. It is always aimed at eliminating the cause that caused the pathology.
If the injury caused the pathology, then you need to be at rest for about a month and take anti-inflammatory drugs. Among them, the most effective are Ibuprofen and Diprospan.
In case of very severe pain in the heel, it is necessary to introduce corticosteroids with other agents directly to the point that is the focus of the disease.
If arthritis is the cause, then the rheumatologist will prescribe antibiotics. They will help to cope with the infection. How to treat heel spur at home?
Exercises
The entire cycle of therapeutic exercises is aimed at stretching the fascia on the sole, so that in the end it takes its previous shape. This is achieved by giving elasticity. A set of exercises for calcaneal spur is prescribed by the attending physician, so they may differ.
Usually, experts first recommend doing tasks aimed at stretching the muscles of the leg. You need to face the wall at such a distance that you can reach it with your palms, legs should be spaced 30 cm apart. In this case, the damaged leg must be put behind. Having taken such a pose, you can start doing squats, the main thing is that the heels do not rise from the floor. Experienced doctors say exercise is the best way to treat heel spurs.
In the same position, you need to carefully and slowly bend your knees. This should be done until the stretching of the hind leg begins to be felt. As soon as you feel that the process has passed, you need to freeze and stand for about 15 seconds, then continue the squats.
A few more exercises with heel spur
As already noted, first you need to properly stretch the leg muscles. In this regard, fascia lengthens, and everything falls into place. This exercise aims to achieve this goal. You need to put a board or book about 5 cm thick near the wall. Then you should stand on it so that the socks lie on the material, and the heels hang down. After that, you need to lean against the wall and bend so that the muscles begin to stretch. In this position, you should stay for about 15 seconds. Then you need to straighten up and raise the body on toes 15 times, the heels should hang down below the support.
Exercises and therapeutic exercises for calcaneal spur are difficult to overestimate. The above task can be repeated daily, first on both legs, then alternately on each. After a good stretching of the muscles of the leg, you can start other exercises.
Heel Spur Exercises
The foot is a place of localization of education, so its development is simply necessary for quality treatment. Consider several tasks that are most effective:
- Rolling the ball. To complete this exercise, you only need a tennis ball. The essence of the task is to roll the ball with the whole sick foot. If there is no ball, you can use a simple bottle of water.
- Picking up various objects with your feet. Small objects like peas, beans, etc. should be scattered across the floor. Without using your hands, try putting everything back together. And so it can be repeated every day, changing the size and surface of objects.
- Gymnastics for the foot. It is worth noting that you need to start and end with a banner. Then, with the help of hands or an elastic bandage, pull the foot towards you as much as possible and hold it for 15 seconds. You need to repeat this exercise with a heel spur several times a day.
Massage
Gymnastics is, of course, good, but an excellent massage has not harmed anyone. Comprehensive treatment is complemented by this procedure, because often the patient is haunted by pain. You can do the massage yourself, or you can turn to specialists in this field.
The best effect is achieved by adding ointments of a different nature. And any one is suitable, the main thing is to warm and relieve pain. Begin the procedure by massaging the heel with the thumbs, while slightly pressing the middle fingers on the focus of pain. Such prevention should last at least ten days.
The next stage is marked by a general massage. In this case, they start from the foot, smoothly moving to the heel. Thus, it is possible to achieve complete relaxation of the foot. The procedures are carried out in order to soften the tissue around the formation so that the heel acquires mobility. It must be remembered that with the help of massage you can’t get rid of spurs, but in combination it has a good effect.
Folk remedies
When a heel spur occurs, many patients use traditional medicine for treatment. This is exactly the case when these funds can help better than medicines. The lesion site is gently rubbed with ointments and gels made on their own. After the massage, it is recommended to keep your feet in a bath of hot water with added salt.
Actively use exercises to strengthen the foot. You need to roll the corn on the floor, and collect the remaining objects with your toes. Doctors confirm that the reception with corn is quite effective, since when in contact with the formation there is a high probability of invaluable help in eliminating the growth.
Reviews about the alternative treatment for heel spurs are mostly positive. Simple procedures allow you to achieve some success and eliminate education.
Surgical intervention
Surgery to remove spurs is carried out very rarely, only if all other methods have been useless. With a correctly selected course of therapy and its implementation, unpleasant consequences can be avoided. It is possible to eliminate the formation without surgical intervention, the main thing is that a good specialist is involved in the treatment.
When the growth is operated on, the entire spur is removed together in a small part of the bone. If it comes to surgeons, then this does not confirm the fact of a minimum number of relapses. Surgical removal does not prevent the occurrence of a new bone growth.
Also, doctors have to surgically remove those growths that are constantly developing and greatly interfere with walking. Such a development of events is possible if you start the disease and do not use any home remedies for heel spurs, or any other.
Prevention
Daily physical activity, excess weight and constant overeating can become activators in the appearance of a growth. Gradually, the foot weakens, and the load does not decrease, and possibly increases. After that, problems with the legs begin to arise, and a heel spur is formed.
Health is everyone’s business. Someone takes this with care, others ignore it. To protect yourself from such unpleasant situations, you should work on yourself daily, improving your skills in everything. If it happened that a spur appeared, you need to throw all your strength into eliminating it. By following the simple recommendations of doctors, you can overcome the development of education and return to a comfortable life.
A few tips in order to constantly keep yourself in good shape and prevent the appearance of spurs on the heel:
- do not allow the appearance of extra pounds;
- if you have flat feet, try to correct it with orthopedic insoles and exercises;
- do not start infectious diseases, immediately begin treatment;
- women: unnecessarily don’t wear high heels.
These recommendations are simple, and you do not need to give up something to follow them. It is worth remembering that health is the most important thing in our life. Therefore, under any circumstances, it is necessary to solve the problems associated with this.