Calcaneal spur: severe pain in the foot

The calcaneal spur, according to specialists in Traumatology , is a deformity of the calcaneal bone that is formed as a consequence of continuous and prolonged tensile forces from the soft parts that are inserted in the foot plant. There are different locations of calcaneus spurs, which are preferentially located in traction areas, such as the posterior or Achilles region and the plantar region.

Causes of the calcaneus spur

This deformity is due to an alteration in the mechanisms of absorption of load or impact, caused by an abnormal anatomy of the foot or by anomalies that prevent a correct dynamics at the moment of the impact as the flat feet or cavos. Other factors such as very rigid shoes, with little cushioning or flat configuration predispose to imbalances that lead to this deformity. In addition to excessive stress, overweight and inadequate stretching techniques, mainly the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia, are factors that contribute to the appearance of the calcaneus spur.

The calcaneus spur can be observed through the Rx, sometimes observed in patients who are asymptomatic, which makes us think that the cause of the pain is the calcaneal spur but the inflammation of the surrounding soft tissue, plantar fasciitis.

Treatment for the calcaneus spur

The most effective treatments are those that follow conservative measures that tend to improve foot support, modify habits, encourage stretching and rehabilitation techniques, which can also be associated with anti-inflammatory oral or infiltrative therapeutic measures in the painful region.

Another possible treatment is the one that is carried out with shock waves, used mainly when the previous measures are not effective. Finally, surgery is only used in cases where the pain is unbearable and conservative measures are not effective. Types of surgery are usually minimally invasive, performing a medial plantar fasciectomy and a percutaneous resection of the calcaneal spur.