Do you also have a thorn in your heel? Let's talk about Heel Spur!

The sharp pain that comes from the heel as soon as you get out of bed in the morning and put your foot on the ground... Is this something you are used to? The pain subsides when you walk a little, and then the pain comes back when you stand up after sitting for a while? Only those who suffer from this pain know how difficult it is to do their daily work with this pain. Many people think that a thorn is really stuck inside the heel, or a bone has come out. In fact, this condition may be a heel spur, which is medically known as a heel spur . Today, we will talk about this, its causes and treatment in a very simple way, in a way that you can understand.

What exactly is a Heel Spur?

Simply put, a Heel Spur is a new bony protrusion that forms on the underside of your heel bone, resembling a small spike. Specifically, this bony protrusion forms where your heel bone meets the thick band of tissue that runs down the side of your foot (called the Plantar Fascia ).

Imagine, about 15% of our society has this condition. But the surprising thing is that many people don't even know they have a Heel Spur. The reason for this is that most of the time, this bone spur itself does not cause pain. Many people find it by chance when they see a doctor because of heel pain and get an X-ray. This is not something that develops in one or two days, but develops gradually over time.

Are Heel Spur and Plantar Fasciitis the same thing?

This is where many people get confused. These two conditions are related, but they are not the same. Let's understand this clearly.

• What is Plantar Fasciitis?: As I mentioned earlier, there is a thick band of tissue called ``Plantar Fascia`` that runs from the heel to the front of our foot. This works like the bowstring of a bow, supporting the arch of our foot. Overuse, wearing the wrong shoes, and standing for too long can cause this band of tissue to become stretched, swollen, and sometimes develop micro-tears. This is what we call ``Plantar Fasciitis``. The main symptom of this is the sharp, stabbing pain I mentioned earlier when I first got up in the morning.

• How does a heel spur develop?: Now imagine that you have had `(Plantar Fasciitis)` for a long time. This means that the fascia is constantly being stretched and inflamed. Our body responds to this long-term stress and inflammation. The body thinks, "There's a problem here, I need to strengthen this." As a response, the body deposits extra calcium where the fascia connects to the heel bone and starts to build a new bone. Over time, this becomes the `(Heel Spur)` that looks like a thorn.

That's why many people with a Heel Spur don't have pain. They may have cured their condition (Plantar Fasciitis), but only the bone spur that formed remains.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you go to see a doctor with heel pain, the first thing he or she will do is examine your foot carefully. They will look at the location of the pain, whether there is any swelling, and whether the pain changes with movement of the foot. They will also ask about your daily activities, the sports you play, and the type of shoes you wear.

Often, this test alone can give an idea of ​​the condition. However, the best way to confirm whether you have a heel spur is to have an X-ray of your foot. The small bony protrusion can be clearly seen on the X-ray image.

What are the treatments for this?

The most important thing to understand here is that doctors do not treat the Heel Spur, but the condition that causes it and causes pain (Plantar Fasciitis). Even if the bone spur is there and does not cause pain, there is no need to remove it. The main goal of treatment is to control pain and swelling and heal the Plantar Fascia.

These are the treatments usually given:

• Rest: Activities that put excessive weight on the heel and increase pain (running, jumping, standing for long periods of time) should be stopped or reduced for a while.
• Icing: Applying ice cubes wrapped in a cloth or a cold water bottle rolled under the heel for 15-20 minutes several times a day can greatly reduce pain and swelling.
• Medicines: You can take anti-inflammatory medicine prescribed by your doctor to reduce pain and swelling. Never continue to use painkillers as you please. Always seek medical advice.
• Proper shoes and supports: This is very important. You should wear shoes that provide good arch support, reduce pressure on the heel, and have cushioning. Sometimes, your doctor may recommend using special supports (Shoe Inserts / Heel Pads) that are placed inside your shoes.
• Exercises: There are simple stretching exercises that strengthen and stretch the plantar fascia and foot muscles. Doing these under the guidance of a physiotherapist can help you recover faster.

What factors increase the risk of developing Heel Spurs?

There are certain factors that can increase the risk of developing Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis. Some of these are things we can change, while others are things we cannot control. It is important to be aware of these.

Does this require surgery?

This is something that many people fear. "If there is a spur, will it necessarily have to be cut out and removed?" But the truth is, surgery to remove a heel spur is very rare.

As I mentioned earlier, the heel spur is not the cause of the pain. Therefore, a doctor will only consider surgery if all other treatments (rest, ice, medication, exercise) have failed to reduce the pain after 6-12 months. The main purpose of the surgery is to relieve the tension in the ``Plantar Fascia''. At that point, the heel spur can also be removed, but that is not the main goal.

So remember, a Heel Spur will not go away without surgery, it is permanent once it forms. However, since it is not painful, there is no need to remove it. Treating the condition that is causing the pain (Plantar Fasciitis) will resolve the problem.

Remember these questions to ask your doctor.

When you go to see the doctor, if you are prepared to ask these questions, you can gain a better understanding of this situation.

• Why does my heel hurt so much? Is this caused by a heel spur?
• What can I do at home to reduce this pain?
• What kind of shoes should I wear?
• What exercises are suitable for me?
• Will this condition be completely cured? How long will it take?
• If my pain does not subside, what are the next treatments?

Don't be afraid to ask these questions. The more you know about your condition, the better you can contribute to the healing process.

heel spur sinhala, heel pain, heel spur, plantar fasciitis sinhala, heel pain, heel pain treatment sinhala, foot pain