SPORTS INJURIES
Heel Spurs
Many patients with foot pain come to Caring Medical saying they have
been diagnosed with heel spurs. Others were told they had plantar
fasciitis. Such a diagnosis resulted from an x-ray that revealed
some extra bone where the plantar fascia attaches to the calcaneus.
This extra bone is called a "spur.” Because it involves
the heel, it is ingeniously named a "heel spur.” It is
located where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel, hence
plantar fasciitis.
Treatments such as a cortisone shot or surgery to remove the spur, have in some
instances aggrevated further the condition. These treatments do not correct the
underlying defect. The plantar fascia supports the navicular, talus, and medial
cuneiform bones. When the plantar fascia must also attempt to support the arch,
excess pressure is placed on the calcaneus bone. The calcaneal spur forms because
the plantar fascia cannot adequately support the arch. The plantar fascia is holding
on for "dear life” to its attachment at the calcaneus. This holding
on causes the body to grow more bone in that area in an attempt to reduce the
pressure on the ligament, resulting in a heel spur.
Cortisone may temporarily relieve the pain in some cases, but it will weaken
tissue long-term. Prolotherapy to the fibro-osseous junction of the plantar fascia
will cause a permanent strengthening of that structure. Once the plantar fascia
returns to normal strength, the chronic heel pain will be eliminated. But
what about the heel spur? The heel spur is an x-ray finding. Many people have
heel spurs without any pain. Prolotherapy will not remove the heel spur, but
it will eliminate the chronic pain by eliminating the cause. So relax and enjoy
a foot without pain.
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