Do you have difficulty walking when you wake up in the morning?

Does this pain decrease after a few steps and increase with standing in the day?

Did walking, standing, begging to suffer for you?

 You want to lose weight, but is your heel pain prevented you from exercising and doing sports?

If you answered yes to the above questions, you may have a heel spur. The most common cause of heel pain is the disease of the heel skin (plantar fasciitis) and the heel stiffness often occurs together and is usually only expressed as a heel stiffness.

In this discomfort, inflammation occurs due to a strain in the adhesion of the thin muscles of the foot (fascias) to the heel bone, overloading or some inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Over time, the formation of abnormal bone tissue in this region causes heel spurs.

In some cases, heel spurs can occur. These include those who are overweight and those who work for long periods are at particular risk. The increase in the load on the base of the foot is the most important cause of this disease. The incidence increases with age. The flatbed is another discomfort that facilitates the formation of the heel spur.

The most important indication of the disease is the difficulty in heeling on the heels when you get up in the morning, severe heel pain, and the pain increases with standing and walking throughout the day. Complaints are reduced at rest, night pain is rare.

It is not difficult to be diagnosed. In X-ray films, heel appears to be a protrusion from the bone to the right. It's like a smiley thorn. If you say that you can not go to the thorn that loves the ball,

Different methods are used for treatment of heel stiffness and plantar fasciitis. Ultrasonics, microwaves and lasers can be effective in Physical Therapy methods. Successful application of shock wave therapy (ESWT), which has been widely used in recent years, has been successful.

''ESWT from physical therapy methods is effective in heel stud and plantar facial treatment''

Ball cortisone needles are also a good alternate. It is understood that the researches conducted in this study were also effective in the treatment of shock wave (ESWT), laser and ball cortisone injections, and there was no difference between them.

''Topuğa cortisone injection is the most common interventional treatment comes at the beginning''

In the last few years, we have successfully used redfrequency nerve burning in the treatment of chronic pain. With a specially developed radiofrequency needle, the nerve from the ball is burnt to create a tissue lesion. As a result, rapid pain control can be achieved.

''The radiofrequency nerve burning method seems to be the best option when there are resistant heel stumps''

To reduce the pressure on the ball, silicone heel cushions or silicone insoles are used, especially during the initial period of the illness. It is recommended to use silicone footbed with arc support if there is flat bottom with heel stud. They support the base of the foot and are effective in reducing complaints related to flatness. In the case of only those with heel studs, the middle heel pads are used. These shock absorbers are easily placed into the shoe, helping to heal by reducing the load on the base of the foot and the ball, causing pain and inflammation (inflammation) to diminish. Those who do not have heel discomfort but who have to work for a long time can also use these sole or heel cushions for protection.

Stretching exercises for the calf muscles and the foot muscles of the foot are effective both in improving healing and in preventing the recurrence of the disease as the damaged area will help to gain flexibility.

I would recommend you to consider your health first in shoe selection. It is useful to stay away from high heels or very straight shoes. Shoes with air features should be preferred on the heel.

''To reduce the load on the ball, all necessary protective measures must be taken, such as insoles, proper shoes and exercise''

The heel stiffness is a discomfort that disturbs our daily life quality by causing our movements to be restricted. It is important to remember the protective measures that reduce the load on the heels against the possibility of repetition with possible treatment.

 

Dr. Ahmet Sümen , MD

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist