Calcaneal Spur

A calcaneal spur (or heel spur) is a small osteophyte (bone spur) located on the calcaneus (heel bone). Calcaneal spurs are typically detected by a radiological examination (x-ray). When a foot bone is exposed to constant stress, calcium deposits build up on the bottom of the heel bone.

Causes of heel spurs
Heel spurs occur when calcium deposits build up on the underside of the heel bone, a process that usually occurs over a period of many months. Heel spurs are often caused by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, and repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone. Heel spurs are especially common among athletes whose activities include large amounts of running and jumping.

Risk factors for heel spurs include:

Walking gait abnormalities, which place excessive stress on the heel bone, ligaments, and nerves near the heel
Running or jogging, especially on hard surfaces
Poorly fitted or badly worn shoes, especially those lacking appropriate arch support
Excess weight and obesity
 

Other risk factors associated with plantar fasciitis include:
1. Webmded - A heel spur is a calcium deposit causing a bony protrusion on the underside of the heel bone. On an x-ray, a heel spur can extend forward by as much as a half-inch. Without visible x-ray evidence, the condition is sometimes known as 'heel spur syndrome'

2. Heel spur - Although heel spurs are often painless, they can cause heel pain. They are frequently associated with plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the fibrous band of connective tissue (plantar fascia) that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot.

Common -
Treatments for heel spurs and associated conditions include exercise, custom-made orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and cortisone injections. If conservative treatments fail, surgery may be necessary.

Causes of heel spurs - Heel spurs occur when calcium deposits build up on the underside of the heel bone, a process that usually occurs over a period of many months. Heel spurs are often caused by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, and repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone. Heel spurs are especially common among athletes whose activities include large amounts of running and jumping.

Risk factors for heel spurs include:

Walking gait abnormalities, which place excessive stress on the heel bone, ligaments, and nerves near the heel
Running or jogging, especially on hard surfaces
Poorly fitted or badly worn shoes, especially those lacking appropriate arch support
Excess weight and obesity
Other risk factors associated with plantar fasciitis include:


Pictures of common foot problems
Increasing age, which decreases plantar fascia flexibility and thins the heel's protective fat pad
Diabetes
Spending most of the day on one's feet
Frequent short bursts of physical activity
Having either flat feet or high arches
Symptoms of heel spurs
Heel spurs often cause no symptoms. But heel spurs can be associated with intermittent or chronic pain -- especially while walking, jogging, or running -- if inflammation develops at the point of the spur formation. In general, the cause of the pain is not the heel spur itself but the soft-tissue injury associated with it.

Many people describe the pain of heel spurs and plantar fasciitis as a knife or pin sticking into the bottom of their feet when they first stand up in the morning -- a pain that later turns into a dull ache. They often complain that the sharp pain returns after they stand up after sitting for a prolonged period of time.


Non-surgical treatments for heel spurs
The heel pain associated with heel spurs and plantar fasciitis may not respond well to rest. If you walk after a night's sleep, the pain may feel worse as the plantar fascia suddenly elongates, which stretches and pulls on the heel. The pain often decreases the more you walk. But you may feel a recurrence of pain after either prolonged rest or extensive walking. You have heel pain that persists for more than one month, consult a health care provider. He or she may recommend conservative treatments such as:

Stretching exercises
Shoe recommendations
Taping or strapping to rest stressed muscles and tendons
Shoe inserts or orthotic devices
Physical therapy
Prevention of heel spurs
You can prevent heel spurs by wearing well-fitting shoes with shock-absorbent soles, rigid shanks, and supportive heel counters; choosing appropriate shoes for each physical activity; warming up and doing stretching exercises before each activity; and pacing yourself during the activities.

Avoid wearing shoes with excessive wear on the heels and soles. If you are overweight, losing weight may also help prevent heel spurs.
Top homeopathic medicnes for calcaneal spur
Calcarea fluor: one of the best homeopathic medicines for dissolving calcaneal spur

One of the best homeopathic remedies for calcaneal spur treatment is Calcarea flour. It is the most effective natural homeopathic medicine with the best healing power to dissolve the calcaneal spur. This homeopathic remedy is of great help in all cases of calcaneal spur whether painful or not. Calcarea fluor acts as the best resolving agent for calcaneal spur and is considered the first choice of homeopathic remedy in every case of calcaneal spur.
Ammonium mur: one of the top most homeopathic medicine for calcaneal spur when there is pain in heel on walking

Ammonium mur is a very beneficial natural homeopathic medicine for calcaneal spur. This homeopathic remedy is of great help in decreasing the pain in heel on walking due to calcaneal spur. Ammonium mur helps in decreasing the pain as well as dissolving the spur. Apart from specific worsening of pain on walking, the person also complains of pain in morning. A few people needing ammonium mur may get relief by slight rubbing of the heel. The pain can be stitching or tearing in nature for using ammonium mur.
Rhus tox: homeopathic medicine for calcaneal spur with pain on standing

Homeopathic medicine rhus tox is the top natural remedy for pain in heel on standing due to calcaneal spur. Homeopathic medicine rhus tox also helps in repairing the muscles and ligaments covering the heel bone, thus preventing further heel damage. Its next action is to dissolve the spur. Rhus tox thus acts in three spheres for calcaneal spur patients - pain relief, strengthening the muscles or ligaments, and dissolving the spur. The pain narrated by the person on standing is most of the times stitching in character. The person may feel the pain as being similar to that caused by a splint. Another expression used may be the pain as from a nail under the skin.
Aranea Diadema: homeopathic medicine for calcaneal spur for boring pain in heel

Aranea Diadema is considered among the top natural homeopathic medicines for calcaneal spur treatment. This homeopathic remedy is best for getting rid of digging and boring type of pains in the heel. The pain may alternate with a numb feeling in the heel. An extreme sensitivity to cold air can also be predominantly present.
Aurum met: one of the top homeopathic medicines calcaneal spurs which cause pain at night

The pain in the heel at night due to calcaneal spur is best relieved by natural homeopathic remedy aurum met. It is a very appropriate and efficient homeopathic medicine to get rid of night pain in heel arising because of the spur.
Mezereum: homeopathic treatment for calcaneal spur that hurts by touching

For patients complaining of pain in heel spur when touched, natural homeopathic medicine mezereum is the best remedy. Mezereum is of great help in treating the heel spur pain that worsens by touching. The patient may show an increased sensitivity to cold air.
Ruta: homeopathic treatment for calcaneal spur with pain in heel extending to Achilles' tendon

The tendon that connects the calf muscle present in the back of the leg to heels is known as tendon Achilles. For patients who have pain in heel due to calcaneal spur with the extension of pain in tendon Achilles, the best homeopathic remedy for relief is ruta. Ruta is of great help in bony and tendon complaints.