General Information About Heel Spurs
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the chronic injury and inflammation of the flexible connective tissue (fascia) on the sole of the foot. The primary cause of pain is not the spine-like bony protrusion seen on X-rays, but the inflammation within the connective tissue itself.
It is caused by continuous and excessive load bearing on the sole of the foot. The major causes include sudden weight gain (obesity), gait abnormalities such as flat feet or high arches, standing for long hours on hard surfaces, and wearing very thin or flat-soled shoes (without support, such as ballet flats).
During sleep at night, the ankle relaxes and the plantar fascia contracts and shortens. Upon waking up and taking the first step in the morning, this shortened and inflamed membrane is suddenly stretched and pulled by the entire body weight. This micro-tearing sensation causes a severe pain resembling a nail piercing the heel. As one walks, the fascia stretches and the pain subsides.
The clinical diagnosis is established when the orthopedic surgeon applies digital pressure to the lower-medial aspect of the heel, causing the patient severe, sharp pain. On an X-ray, a spine-like bony outgrowth (osteophyte) is visible under the heel bone (calcaneus); however, pain can sometimes be caused solely by fascial inflammation without any actual spur formation.
Treatment of the disease requires patience, and a 90% recovery rate is achieved through non-surgical methods.
1. Lifestyle and Home Care: It is essential to lose weight, use orthotic insoles with silicone heel pads, avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces, and perform foot stretching exercises in bed before getting up in the morning (such as pulling the foot with a towel).
2. Advanced Treatments: ESWT (Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy), which disperses inflammation and triggers tissue healing by delivering external acoustic waves to the area, is the most successful modality. In refractory cases, PRP (platelet-rich plasma from the patient's own blood) or corticosteroids are injected into the heel.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
