Calcane bursitis - what is it? Its symptoms are fairly easy to confuse with arthritis or plantar fasciitis. In fact, heel bursitis is a rather complex pathology that causes serious discomfort and pain. These symptoms will not go away on their own without proper treatment. Moreover, serious complications are possible. Therefore, treatment of calcaneal bursitis at home should be started as soon as possible.
The first manifestations of the disease
You should be wary of the following symptoms:
- Swelling and swelling in the foot area, which increase over time. As a result, the patient cannot put on shoes due to swelling, since the foot simply does not fit into shoes. Swelling and pain are the most common symptoms of calcaneus bursitis, which make themselves felt already at the first stage of the disease.
- Extreme pain on palpation. At the junction of the Achilles tendon with the calcaneus , a disease such as achillobursitis is possible, the treatment of which is approximately the same.
- Pain in the heel during physical exertion, and in later stages, even when walking.
- In some cases, an increase in body temperature with calcaneal bursitis is possible. What is it and why does the patient experience similar symptoms with colds? The fact is that the inflammatory process in the foot is largely similar to the symptoms of SARS in symptoms. Hence the fever, fever, asthenia.
- Redness of the affected area - the heel in some cases becomes blue-burgundy. With purulent bursitis, pus may appear in the tissues - such symptoms need immediate medical attention.
Causes of calcaneal bursitis
The most common predisposing factors for the development of the disease:
- the presence of arthritis and gout, due to these concomitant diseases, bursitis often develops in the elderly;
- re-infection of the synovial bags of the foot with an infection;
- in some cases, bursitis is a consequence of an allergic reaction;
- autoimmune diseases;
- the effect on the body of toxins and harmful substances on a regular basis;
- constant extreme physical activity;
- injury and stretching of the heel joint while walking, running, jumping or performing stretching;
- constant increased load on the ankle joint;
- Wearing shoes with an uncomfortable shoe and an anatomically incorrect insole.
Acute and purulent bursitis: features of the course of the disease
The appearance of acute bursitis is preceded by serious heel injuries. There is a gradual formation and accumulation (sometimes over several months) of fluid in the synovial bag. Over time, it penetrates the soft tissues around. It receives blood from damaged capillaries and blood vessels. During this process, the patient experiences pain and discomfort, you should consult an orthopedist as soon as possible to clarify the diagnosis. The ICD-10 calcaneal bursitis code is M 20.1.
Purulent bursitis in most cases is provoked by staphylococcal and streptococcal infections. Symptoms in the patient are manifested not only in pain when walking, but also in general weakness, an increase in body temperature.
There is another relatively rare form of the disease - a specific calcaneal bursitis. What is it and why does such a pathology appear? The causative agent of specific bursitis are pneumococci, tubercle bacillus, gonococci.
Chronic calcaneal bursitis - what is it? This is the easiest form of the disease. It develops most often due to regular wear of uncomfortable high-heeled shoes or with an anatomically incorrect sole.
Which doctor should I go to and is it possible to take sick leave?
An orthopedist is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of this kind of disease. In some cases, it is permissible to consult a surgeon or therapist if there is any doubt about the causes of discomfort. For an accurate diagnosis, you will have to take an x-ray. It will be noticeable whether the degree of tissue damage is large and whether purulent contents are present.
If the performance is reduced due to pain, then the orthopedist can prescribe a sick leave. Its duration depends on the severity of the symptoms. Superficial calcaneal bursitis most people can carry on their feet. But the purulent and acute form, patients are not able to pass without a temporary excommunication from their daily duties. The ICD 10 calcaneal bursitis code is M20.1 or M70. It is this diagnosis that will be indicated on the sick-list.
In the late stages of the disease, especially with purulent calcaneal bursitis, a person loses working capacity. He cannot walk, in some cases forced to use a crutch.
Principles of treatment of calcaneal bursitis
Heel bursitis can be an occupational disease (athletes, military personnel, movers, builders) or the result of an injury, a tendon, weight lifting, and can also be infectious. If exacerbation of the disease provokes loads, you should abandon them. In some cases, orthopedists recommend quitting or changing their occupation so that the disease does not become chronic.
- If the patient opted for the treatment of calcaneal bursitis at home, then compresses should be done several times a day. If you use them from time to time, then you can not expect a special therapeutic effect in terms of alleviating pain and discomfort.
- It should minimize the load on the sore foot. During a period of chronic exacerbation, bed rest and the use of a crutch or stick when walking are indicated.
- Heel spurs and bursitis have similar symptoms, but the intensity of the prescribed treatment in each case is different. Be sure to visit a doctor: it is important to verify the correct diagnosis.
- Heel bursitis should be treated faster: an infection spreading from a damaged surface is the main cause of inflammatory processes. They, in turn, can spread along the lymphatic tract, causing complications.
Patient reviews indicate that the most effective and quickest treatment is possible with the combined use of pharmaceuticals with alternative methods.
Common Patient Mistakes
Calcaneal bursitis most often recurs due to the fault of the patients themselves. Feeling relieved, they stop the therapy. This should not be done before. If at least partially the infection remains in the tissues, then a relapse will occur. The code of calcaneal bursitis in the ICD indicates that this is not a minor ailment, which can be treated irresponsibly. This is a serious disease that can in some cases lead to partial amputation or a lifetime foot defect.
Even if the pain has already passed, bed rest should be followed until a picture is taken and it becomes clear that the infection has receded.
Pharmacy ointments for the treatment of pathology
How to treat heel bursitis with the help of pharmaceutical ointments? Follow the doctor's recommendations. If the form of the disease is purulent, the use of ointments with a warming effect and hot baths can provoke increased pain and the multiplication of infection. If bursitis is superficial, in some cases, with the approval of a doctor, it is possible to use ointments with a warming effect (Capsicam, Fenistil).
The use of ointments with a local antibiotic is indicated. The most popular and cheapest ointment with such an action is Levomekol. It includes chloramphenicol, which has a surface antibacterial and antiseptic effect.
Calcaneus bursitis often requires not only external therapy, but also internal. The doctor may prescribe antibacterial drugs to the patient (Augmentin, Linkomycin) in order to prevent the multiplication of the infection process in the tissues.
Methods of alternative therapy for calcaneal bursitis
At home, superficial calcaneal bursitis can be effectively treated. The use of compresses and therapeutic baths can reduce the intensity of the pain syndrome.
The main principle of treatment at home is not to throw therapy immediately, as soon as the pain recedes. A few more days should use the selected therapeutic agents in order to prevent recurrence of bursitis. The optimal duration of the use of folk remedies is about two weeks.
The most effective and popular methods of treating calcaneal bursitis at home:
- baths with soda and salt;
- baths from concentrated infusion of oak bark;
- compresses with juice from raw potatoes and cabbage;
- compresses from household soap shavings with beeswax and oils;
- aloe juice has a local antiseptic and decongestant effect (especially effective in the very first manifestations of bursitis);
- independent performance of therapeutic massage.
Baths with salt and soda
Water should not be hot, the optimum temperature is about 40 degrees. Hot steam can provoke a breeding infection. As a result, the patient can not only not cure bursitis, but also get a complication.
It should be dissolved in three liters of water a kilogram of salt and 200-300 grams of soda. Soar your feet in such a bath for about thirty minutes. After the procedure, the severity of pain will decrease.
Reviews of this method confirm its effectiveness: the pain subsides after ten to fifteen minutes.
Trays of infusion of oak bark
The effect of the infusion of oak bark has a local astringent and decongestant effect. You can buy ready-made chips at the pharmacy - it costs about fifty rubles. You can prepare it yourself.
The infusion should be concentrated: three to four tablespoons should be brewed in half a liter of water, allowed to cool and insist. To soar your feet in such a bath for about twenty to thirty minutes.
Reviews are not all positive. Patients note that the symptomatology almost does not go away. The method works mainly with superficial calcaneal bursitis.
Raw Potato Juice Compresses
Peel the potato, grate, squeeze the juice. Blot a cotton pad or gauze bandage in the resulting fluid and apply to the foot lesion.
The exposure time of such a compress is about thirty minutes, then it should be changed. Against the background of treatment, it is important to observe bed rest. If the pain persists, but only intensifies, be sure to seek the advice of a surgeon, therapist or orthopedist.
Laundry soap with honey from calcaneal bursitis
A popular alternative medicine for bursitis is to dilute a third of a piece of laundry soap in a water bath to a semi-liquid state. Add beeswax or propolis. You can also add a tablespoon of sea buckthorn oil to nourish the tissue.
While the mass is not completely frozen, apply it to a dense tissue and apply a compress to the affected area of the heel or foot. If desired, wrap with a bandage. Hold for about thirty minutes. Repeat the procedure every three hours.
Aloe juice in the complex therapy of calcaneal bursitis
You should collect leaves that are located in the middle of the stem. The juice in them is of a dense concentration and with a maximum content of bioflavonoids. Lubricate a sore spot, wrap with polyethylene tape. Change the compress every three to four hours.
Aloe juice has a local decongestant and antiseptic, anti-inflammatory effect. If you add a few drops of Dimexidum to it, then useful substances can penetrate deep into the tissue. Use this compress only with the approval of your doctor.
Massage with calcaneal bursitis: benefit or harm
A correctly performed massage with heel bursitis can bring relief to the patient, relieve pain and moderate swelling. If performed incorrectly, then the discomfort will only increase. In addition, with strong pressure on the foot, bone pathologies can be provoked.
If there is no experience in conducting therapeutic massage, then for a start it is worth resembling similar procedures in a clinic. It will become clear to the patient what pressing force is optimal. After that, you can try to massage yourself.
Prevention rules: how to prevent relapse
Calcaneal bursitis, especially superficial and primary, is easy to cure. The patient should think about how to prevent relapse. To do this:
- moderate physical activity on the legs;
- try to buy shoes with an anatomically correct shoe and insole, without high heels;
- abandon long walks and athletics (running, jumping, cycling);
- after a working day, relax by placing your legs above your head - this way the blood circulation can accelerate and the feet rest;
- drink a course of a high-quality vitamin-mineral complex with calcium and magnesium in the composition every six months.