The calcified hook that protrudes from the heel bone is known as heel spur. It is usually caused due to another related medical condition known as plantar fasciitis in which the ligament called plantar fascia gets pulled from the heel bone. The deposit of calcium at the injury site can lead to formation of the hook.
Heel spurs or calcaneal spurs can be tremendously painful experience. The immense pain in the heel of the foot is the main heel spur symptom. This pain is usually felt in the morning when you wake up. The heel pain is not due to the bony outgrowth. Instead, the pain is caused due to the pressure it exerts on the soft tissues of the heel. This pain can be very agonizing and can make walking, running or even climbing the stairs an extremely difficult task. Some patients, in whom the condition is adverse, feel immobilized by the pain. In some cases, the pain tends to extend from the heel to knees, legs and hips, thus, making it difficult to perform everyday functions.
The pain tends to subside with more you walk as the nerves and the tendons adapt to the body demands. However,
the pain can increase if one walks after an extended period of rest, lay pressure on one’s feet or carry heavy object while walking. Along with the pain in the heel, heel spur symptoms include inflammation, sore feet, redness, swelling, calluses, corns and bruises.
Calcaneal spurs is common medical condition amongst the people in their 40s, though it can affect people from any age group. Those suffering from obesity, poor blood circulation, arthritis and osteoporosis are also at high risk of developing this medical condition. People tend to ignore the pain caused by calcaneal spurs as they faultily assume it to be arising due to a hard day at work or because they have walked a lot.
Ignoring the heel spur symtpoms can make the condition worse. If diagnosed at early stages, heel spurs can be easily treated by taking adequate rest, using night splints, shoe inserts and additional padding to support the heel, applying ice packs on the heel and performing exercises that help in relaxing the tissues around the heel. These procedures provide relief to some extent. In adverse cases, doctors advice the use of NSAIDs, extracorporeal shock wave therapy or even surgery. So, it is sensible to consult your doctor if you are facing constant severe heel pains, before it’s too late.
For More Articles : Heel Spur Articles