What is a heel spur?
A heel spur (also known as a calcaneal spur) is a bony growth that develops on the bottom of the heel bone, often as a result of chronic stress or inflammation. Although it is more common in adults, some youth basketball players may develop this condition due to repetitive impact, poor footwear, or biomechanical imbalances. In this article, we explain what a heel spur is, how it can affect young athletes, and what preventive and treatment options are most effective to manage it and reduce pain during training and games.
Definition
The heel spur is an outgrowth of bone that forms on the heel bone, the calcánea. Acidosis is a condition very common in older people and in athletes who perform impact sports. It is a chronic inflammation in the heel area that causes a sharp pain and persistent. It can develop on a bad posture, by an excess of weight, by age, by the use of inappropriate footwear, by a poor technique or sport because of an injury.
Causes
The most common causes are:
- Mechanical overload-the excessive use of the feet, and poor posture can cause spurs calcáneos. Excess weight, lack of physical activity, inappropriate footwear and the bad sports are also factors that can cause
- Age: as we age, the elasticity of the tissues is reduced, which may make the tissues of the foot are inflamed, and cause spurs calcáneos.
- Injury: an injury in the heel area, such as a fracture or a tear, can lead to their formation.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made by an x-ray of the foot. The x-ray shows the outgrowth of bone that has formed in the area of the heel. In addition, the doctor may perform a physical examination of the foot to assess the intensity of pain and determine the cause.
Treatment
The treatment is based on the relief of pain and reduction of inflammation. The most common treatments are:
- Rest: rest is essential to reduce the inflammation and pain. The doctor may recommend the reduction of the physical activity or the use of appropriate footwear to reduce the impact.
- Physical therapy: physical therapy can help to reduce pain and inflammation. The stretching and strengthening exercises can improve posture and reduce stress on the feet.
- Anti-inflammatory: anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, can relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
- Infiltration: the infiltration of corticosteroids can reduce the inflammation and pain, but their use should be limited due to side effects.
- Surgery: surgery is used as a last resort in severe cases where other treatments have not been effective. The surgery involves the removal of the spur and the repair of damaged tissues.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is an important part of the treatment. Rehabilitation can help restore the function of the foot and reduce the risk of future injuries. The stretching and strengthening exercises are important to improve the flexibility and strength of the foot. In addition, physical therapy can help to reduce pain and inflammation. It is important to follow the recommendation of the physical therapist and physician in order to achieve an effective recovery.
Back to the action
The back to the action then depends on the severity of the injury and the treatment received. In general, we recommend a gradual return to physical activity to reduce the risk of new lesions. The use of proper footwear, stretching and strengthening of the foot are important to prevent future spurs calcáneos. It is important to follow the recommendations of the therapist and the physician to avoid complications and to ensure an effective recovery.
Note: this article is only intended to be informational use. In any case self-diagnose. If you suffer from any medical condition, we recommend that you go to your physical therapy clinic of confidence.
Cedric Arregui Guivarch
National Coach of Basketball (CES 2014)
Webgrafía and Bibliography
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- Domínguez-Álvarez JA, Guzman-Villegas, LA, González-Quezada T, González-Pérez A, Méndez-Bautista J. heel Spur. Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2018; 56(3): 265-269.
- Rios-Diaz J, Herrera-Ortega J, Chávez-Pérez R, Pérez-Morales J, Torres-González R, Flores-Hernández C. heel Spur: a review of the literature. Cir Cir. 2016; 84(4): 295-301.
- Spanish society of Rheumatology. Heel spur.
- Spanish society of Sports Traumatology. Heel spur.
- Fisioterapia.net. Heel spur. Available in: https://www.fisioterapia.net/articulos/espolon-calcaneo
- University clinic of Navarra. Heel spur. Available in: https://www.cun.es/enfermedades-tratamientos/enfermedades/espolon-calcaneo
- Mayo Clinic. Heel spur. Available in: https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/bone-spurs/symptoms-causes/syc-20370212
