The calcaneal spur, or plantar fasciitis, is a spiky outgrowth that forms in the area of attachment of ligaments on the foot. It can form for various reasons: due to gout, obesity, arthritis, diseases of the skeletal system or foot injury. In patients with flat feet, heel spur is also diagnosed quite often. At the initial stage of the disease, ointments for calcaneal spur are effective.
Symptoms characteristic of the disease
Very often, to cure, it is enough to lie down as often as possible and eliminate the load on the sore foot. Depending on the stage of the disease, an ointment from a heel spur may be required. The pharmacy has an extensive selection of products for external exposure of a wide variety of actions. It is enough to apply a thin layer of the selected ointment on the affected area, and the symptoms will be significantly reduced. The effects of both too hot and cold water should be excluded for the duration of the illness. Visits to baths, saunas and swimming in open waters are also undesirable.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis (calcaneal spur):
- drawing pain in the heel while the leg is at rest;
- severe, sharp pain at the time of loading on a sore leg (in some cases the discomfort is unbearable, and the patient is forced to draw up a sick leave);
- after a sharp change in posture, pain may intensify (for example, when the patient sits for a long time, and then abruptly rises);
- puffiness of the foot in some cases is present, and sometimes not.
With plantar fasciitis, there is no purulent discharge or wound on the foot. If they are present, there may be some kind of concomitant diagnosis. For example, often after a strong deep cut of the heel, tissue infection can develop. As a result, suppuration begins, and the problem is complicated by a heel spur. An effective ointment from such a complicated pathology should contain hormones or components with a powerful regenerating effect.
Reasons for the development of plantar fasciitis
Among the most common causes of heel spur development are the following:
- Flat feet, as a result of which the natural position of the foot is disturbed, leads to pathologies of bone tissue, curvature of the spine, calcaneal spurs, arthritis.
- Obesity, especially the second and third degree, often leads to excessive load on the foot, as a result, problems with the heels and fingers begin.
- Leg injuries, which are complicated by deep cuts and wounds of the heel, can be accompanied by plantar fasciitis.
- Gait disorders, such as clubfoot, often provoke an incorrect load on the foot, and as a result, a heel spur develops.
- Chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system almost always lead to valgus, spurs and other pathologies of the foot.
- Gout is almost always complicated by problems with the feet.
- Wearing uncomfortable shoes with an anatomically incorrect pad is a common cause of valgus and heel spurs.
Types of pharmacy drugs
Pharmaceutical remedies for spurs on the heels are divided into groups according to their composition and pharmacological effect.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments and creams have a powerful analgesic effect.
- Hormonal steroid drugs most quickly act on discomfort, eliminating it during the regular use of the ointment.
- Regeneration stimulants contribute to the rapid restoration of heel tissue.
- Homeopathic preparations are distinguished by their natural composition, rich in oils, herbal extracts and other plant components.
- Ointments and creams with a warming effect contribute to the acceleration of blood circulation and, as a result, can reduce pain.
Hormonal ointments from plantar fasciitis
This class of ointments with heel spur differs from the others in that it contains special hormonal components. They instantly block the focus of inflammation, reduce the pain and discomfort provoked by the disease.
- "Hydrocortisone ointment" with a heel spur provides a balance of minerals in the dermis, relieves swelling, itching, burning from the treated area. It should be applied in a thin layer five to six times a day on the affected area of the foot. Steroids, which are part of the ointment from the heel spur, provide a narrowing of the capillaries. It is thanks to this effect that anesthesia is achieved, which is confirmed by numerous patient reviews. They also report that the product pleasantly and easily cools the feet.
- "Prednisolone ointment" with heel spur has a powerful anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect. Instructions for use indicate that it is optimal to apply the ointment to a sore spot two to three times a day. It has an impressive number of contraindications: it is forbidden to use during pregnancy and lactation, with chronic renal failure and serious liver diseases.
- "Betamethasone" is an ointment against heel spurs, which can relieve severe pain, itching, burning and swelling after several applications. The duration of the ointment depends on the individual characteristics of the body. Quite often, intolerance to steroids, which are part of the ointment, is found. As a result, an allergic reaction develops, and the condition of the feet and heels of the patient only worsens. But in most cases, Betamethasone is well tolerated, as evidenced by reviews. Patients note a quick relief from the symptoms of heel spurs.
List of non-hormonal effective ointments
What are the cheapest and most effective ointments for calcaneal spur? If the budget is limited, you should pay attention to the pharmacological group of non-hormonal ointments. This is the well-known "Vishnevsky Ointment", "Indomethacin" and "Turpentine Ointment".
Despite the fact that the funds are not modern, they are still very popular among consumers due to their low cost. Of course, in comparison with steroid ointments, non-hormonal drugs lose: they act less time, after using them, the symptoms of heel spurs can return very quickly. How to treat heel spur? Non-hormonal ointments, the most effective in the fight against the disease:
- "Vishnevsky Ointment" has a characteristic unpleasant odor and contains birch tar and castor oil as the main active ingredients. These ingredients have a local decongestant and antipruritic effect, so that for half an hour or an hour they can save the patient from the suffering associated with plantar fasciitis. Patient reviews are not entirely positive. Many are unhappy with the short period of relief that the remedy brings.
- What is the most effective ointment for calcaneal spur among non-hormonal ones? You should pay attention to the popular tool with shark fat, the name of which speaks for itself - "Stop Spur." This oily, thick ointment with an implicit smell, which was created specifically to combat discomfort with plantar fasciitis. It can be used to treat heel spurs in pregnant women, children, adolescents. Reviews about it are mostly positive. Patients emphasize the main disadvantage - they have to be applied too often to make the pain less pronounced.
- "Turpentine ointment" from the heel spur (the name and reviews of this remedy are heard by everyone) helps to improve blood supply to the tissues. As a result, the inflammatory process decreases, swelling and a burning sensation, pain, and itching are removed. A jar of Turpentine Ointment costs about fifty rubles and is sold in any pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription. The tool has earned popularity back in Soviet times, and since then it is the No. 1 ointment among others to reduce the severity of symptoms in plantar fasciitis.
Ointments that accelerate local regeneration
These funds allow you to stop the degenerative processes in the bone tissue, thereby preventing the aggravation of valgus, arthritis, plantar fasciitis. In order to get rid of the symptoms of the disease for a long time, you should use regenerative ointments three to four times a day and observe bed rest. After a couple of days, the symptoms will almost completely recede. But this does not mean that it is necessary to stop therapy - the course of treatment with regenerative ointments should be at least ten days. Even if the performance is fully restored, physical activity, weightlifting and athletics should be excluded for a while.
- "Arthrin" is an ointment with a local chondoprotective effect. It has anti-inflammatory and decongestant effects. Reduces the severity of pain in the heel spur on the second or third day of constant use. It is optimal to use this agent as part of complex therapy: chondoprotectors can also be taken orally - this action will be most complete and will allow for long-term remission.
- "Mucosat" is one of the best ointments for heel spurs. The main active ingredient is chondroitin, which relieves the inflammatory process. Ointment due to its composition is able to penetrate quite deep into the tissues, due to this the therapeutic effect is achieved quickly. The total duration of Mucosat therapy is at least ten days. Apply ointment to the affected area should be three to four times a day during the exacerbation period, after - twice a day. Reviews about this tool are positive, patients are satisfied with the speed of action and the effect of therapy.
- "Dolobene" is an ointment for heel spurs, the treatment of which can be carried out as part of complex therapy or as an independent remedy. After several applications, the pain disappears due to the ability of the ointment to accelerate local blood circulation and prevent bone formation. It is optimal to use Dolobene three to four times a day, while the patient should observe bed rest.
List of ointments with homeopathic action
They repair the tissue of damaged ligaments. What ointment to treat heel spur, if it is accompanied by damage to the ligaments of the foot? It is worth paying attention to any of the homeopathic ointments with a natural composition. By the way, they, as a rule, have a minimal list of side effects and contraindications. Ointments with a homeopathic composition are widely used for the complex treatment of degenerative skeletal degenerative diseases.
- "Traumeel" is an ointment popular among consumers, which is effective for valgus, arthritis, plantar fasciitis. Unlike other homeopathic remedies, Traumeel has a rather impressive list of contraindications. Therefore, it is optimal to use it only after consulting with an orthopedist or surgeon.
- Ointment "Apis" in the composition has the following active substances: propolis and beeswax. Effective to reduce swelling, itching and burning. You should adhere to bed rest and use Apis four to five times a day. With this treatment, the symptoms of the disease go away on the third or fourth day. After the exacerbation has passed, you must continue to use the ointment for seven to ten days two to three times a day. "Apis" can not be used for people allergic to beekeeping products.
Shark fat ointment contains shark fat as the main active ingredient. This is a unique remedy, as it is a natural preparation with an active substance content above 50%. Prevents the deposition of salts. This provides a local decongestant and analgesic effect. It should be applied in a thin layer five to six times a day on the affected area of the foot. The total duration of treatment is ten to fourteen days. Patient reviews report that in order to achieve a positive effect, it is necessary to apply the ointment often, because it is rather uneconomical in use.
List of ointments with a warming effect
What ointments help with heel spur as quickly as possible? If the patient needs to go to work the very next day and there is no way to take a sick leave, then you should pay attention to ointments with a warming effect.
- Viprosal contains snake venom. This component accelerates local blood circulation and has a warming effect. It helps in a short time to get rid of pain provoked by plantar fasciitis - already on the third day the symptoms recede completely, which is confirmed by the reviews of patients.
- "Efkamon" is an ointment with a warming effect, which is achieved thanks to red pepper in the composition. The list of active components of the ointment also includes mustard, eucalyptus and clove oils, each of which has an excellent nutritional effect. Ointment after the first application has an antipruritic and decongestant effect.
Apizartron is a combined preparation with a warming effect. The main active ingredient is bee venom. Provides a local vasodilating effect, so pain and itching go away. After application, the product must be washed off with cool water after ten to fifteen minutes. If the warming effect is too strong, you can wash off after five minutes.
Chatterboxes and suspensions that can be prepared at home
Traditional medicine from heel spur:
- To arrange baths twice a day from a chilled infusion of chamomile, oak bark and yarrow, you can also add mint - this collection will mitigate the manifestations of pain in the heel spur.
- Lubricating the affected area with beeswax is useful if there are wounds or pus is secreted.
- An egg white talker with the addition of onion juice will help alleviate itching and, if there is purulent content, will stretch it.
- Baths with soda and salt contribute to steaming the skin on the heel, after this procedure, the use of therapeutic ointments is especially effective.
Disease Prevention: How to Prevent Relapse of Plantar Fasciitis
In order for there to be no relapse of this disease, simple rules should be followed:
- Within a month, do not give the foot a serious load.
- Refuse to perform exercises with weighting, do not run and do not jump.
- Try to comply with bed rest.
- Wear shoes without a heel and only with a comfortable shoe.
- Do foot massage every night.
- Try to cure concomitant diseases - arthritis, flat feet, scoliosis, osteochondrosis and other painful conditions of bone tissue that provoke an aggravation of the heel spur.
- For a couple of months, give up cycling, athletics, attending aerobics classes.
- Do not walk barefoot, choose shoes and slippers with the most comfortable and soft soles.
- Ensure a constant intake of calcium with food, eat more fermented milk products.
- Refuse alcoholic beverages that flush calcium from the body. Black coffee and strong tea also have a similar effect.