Heel Spur Syndrome
Retro Calcaneal Spur
Plantar Heel Spur
Heel spurs are very common and may form wherever a tendon or fascia attaches to bone, excessive loading of this attachment through poor foot function, flat feet etc leads to calcification and enlargement of the attachment.
When a plantar heel spur is the source of heel pain, the pain will often be constant and increase with activity. Most plantar heel spurs will not cause any discomfort and only discovered usually when a X-Ray or MRI are performed for another purpose.
Retro Calcaneal Spurs can often be visualised or felt as raised area of skin on the back of the heel and are often painful due the heel counter of the shoe rubbing on the bump.
Plantar & Retro Calcaneal Heel Spur Management
Plantar & Retro Calcaneal Heel Spurs are treated in the same way that Plantar Fasciitis is managed as the mechanism of injury are very similar, a patient’s history will often confirm the condition however a thorough Musculoskeletal assessment will reveal why you have developed Plantar Heel Spurs!
Many factors may lead to the heel spur to develop from tight posterior leg muscles, previous injuries, foot deformity, footwear, work and even leisure activities.
Sporting activities such as running, walking, hiking, cycling & work activities such as long hours standing on hard floors, gum boots, work boots, not utilising anti-stress floor mats etc can all contribute.
There is often not a one simple single solution and a tailored plan often involves Stretching exercises, footwear, Orthoses, Plantar Fasciitis Night Socks, pain relief, activity modification, dry needling, Shockwave Therapy, Platelet Therapy & possibly a steroid injection may be required.
All of which will be discussed with & explained during your assessment