Heel Spurs

What is a Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis?

A Heel Spur is evidence that a patient may have Plantar Fasciitis, a painful condition in the heel. Plantar Fasciitis is the most common diagnosis of athletes’ heel pain. The condition is most likely part of a set of reactions to overload / overuse of the foot arch over time; i.e. not normally an acute condition. Radial Shockwave Therapy applied on Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Spurs is not well known everywhere, but the results obtained internationally are very convincing. As people tend to call Plantar Fasciitis a Heel Spur the term Heel Spur will be used in the following.

A Heel Spur can be described as a series of injuries in the tendon tissue under the foot more precisely in the foot sole’s fascia, the plantar fascia. This fascia can be compared to the bowstring on a bow. Every time you put your foot down – walking, running, jumping or landing – the plantar fascia / the bowstring between the heel and the ball of the foot is subjected to a horizontal tension approximately two times your body weight – the bow is bent. Small ruptures of fibres in the fascia can lead to calcification which can also be demonstrated on X-ray. This is the actual Heel Spur. It shows that the Plantar Fasciitis has reached a chronic state.

Heel Spur Symptoms

Heel Spur Symptoms will often include

• Pain on and under the heel when stressed

• Especially painful in the heel area in the morning; stiffness and limping when you take the first few steps

• Pain when you walk or stand still on your toes or heels

• Soreness when pressure is applied to the heel bone

Remedical Actions

Treatment of Heel Spurs

• Radial Shockwave Treatment (rESWT) often has a very good effect and can be combined with other relieving / preventive actions

• Stretching of the plantar fascia and the muscles in the lower leg

• Specially fitted arch support

• Cooling of the heel after training

• Preventive Actions when you have Heel Spur(s

• Arch support with an excavation corresponding to the pain area

• Suitable shoes adapted to your activities, maybe with cushioned heels, heel caps or cradles

• Medical / Athletic taping to support the foot’s arch

• Alternative training (swimming, cycling) to avoid the shock and shear forces when the foot lands