Heel spur symptoms and treatment
You wake up in the morning, get out of bed, and feel as if you are stepping on a nail. The pain is sharp and piercing, localized right at the bottom of your heel. It is probably a heel spur. These are actually small bone formations that appear in the lower part of the heel bone due to systematic overload, ill-fitting footwear, or even just standing for hours on end. What are the heel spur symptoms, what is the treatment for heel spurs, and what are some of the therapies we offer at PhysioArt? Stay tuned to find out. In the following paragraphs, you will find answers to these and more questions.
What are heel spurs and what causes them?
Let’s first clarify what the so-called heel spurs are. These are small bone formations (calcium deposits) that form in the bottom part of the heel. Frequent strain on the feet, being overweight, or poor posture can increase the risk of their formation. Athletes who perform intense activities (such as running and jumping) are particularly vulnerable. Patients with arthritis and flat feet (pes planus) are also predisposed to the development of heel spurs.
What are common heel spur symptoms?
The most common heel spur symptoms include sharp, needle-like pain in the heel and discomfort when walking or standing up. Those are the main signs that suggest you should consult a specialist. If not treated in time, the pain can become chronic.
Other symptoms of heel spurs may include stiffness in the foot in the morning (difficulty walking) and swelling of the affected area. The discomfort is present right from the first steps in the early morning. It usually subsides after some moving around, but returns and intensifies after prolonged standing or strain (e.g., prolonged walking).
How to eliminate heel spurs?
We would best answer with the following:Treatment should be comprehensive and include both at-home care and various physiotherapy procedures. Medication may be used, and in very severe cases, surgery is recommended.
Treating a heel spur at home
It is recommended to avoid long walks and standing for extended periods of time. The goal is to limit activities that cause foot pain and to ensure time for rest.
Wearing orthopedic insoles can also be part of the treatment for heel spurs, as these special insoles reduce the strain on the heel.
Medications and injections for heel spurs
To relieve pain from heel spurs, patients often resort to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are readily available in pharmacies.
In some cases, local corticosteroid injections are used. It is a known fact that injections for heel spurs have a rapid positive effect – they relieve pain – but injections must be used with caution due to possible side effects.
Applying physical therapy
Physiotherapy treatments are the best option for relieving pain and speeding up recovery. They act directly on the inflamed tissues, reduce tension in the plantar fascia, and stimulate the foot’s natural healing processes.
Book an appointment with us
PhysioArt is a specialized physiotherapy and rehabilitation center in Sofia that offers effective and non-invasive methods for treating heel spurs. The therapies are aimed at relieving pain, restoring mobility, and preventing future complications.
The center is located in a convenient location in downtown Sofia, near the National Palace of Culture. Our address is 21 Fritjof Nansen Street, 2nd floor (in the Toraks 2 clinic building). Our team consists of attentive and experienced specialists for whom warm, friendly attitude and custom-tailored approach are core values.
Applied in heel spur treatment at PhysioArt
- High-intensity laser therapies - The advantage of our laser is that it has two wavelengths - 980 nm and 808 nm. The therapies are used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and accelerate the regeneration of affected tissues.
- High-frequency magnetic field - A pulsating high-frequency electromagnetic field is applied. In patients with heel spurs, this method aids recovery, which is why it is preferred by our specialists.
- Shock wave therapy for heel spurs - This is one of the most effective and widely used methods for treating heel spurs. It stimulates tissue repair through shock waves.
Several consecutive sessions are required, with their duration and number determined individually by our specialist depending on the severity and the patient’s response to treatment.
Fill out the contact form or call us directly at +359 89 872 4175 to book an appointment. We have helped dozens of patients, and we know how to help you too.