Spurs on the heel and toe: symptoms, what to do, folk treatment at home

Spurs on the feet are a common occurrence in modern medicine. This is not just a callus or corn, as many patients believe, but a serious disease. Inflammation occurs in the area where the spur is localized. It gradually spreads to other areas of the foot. Over time, instead of an inflammatory process, a bone growth (osteophyte) is formed. Do not expect the spur to disappear on its own. It necessarily requires complex therapy and elimination of the causes of its formation, without which it can progress and spread, affecting other areas.

[ 1 ]

Epidemiology

Today, heel spurs are one of the most common pathologies. Compared to the last century, the incidence of this pathology has increased by 8%. Previously, it was believed that heel spurs are a consequence of chronic or acute foot injury. But currently, there are many more reasons for this pathology. This diagnosis occurs in 17% of cases. This pathology is especially common among city dwellers and large metropolitan areas. In 80% of cases, it occurs in women. Presumably, the cause is constant walking in heels. The risk increases significantly with age. Thus, in people over 40, heel spurs are found 3 times more often than in young people.

[ 2 ], [ 3 ]

Causes toe spurs

There are many reasons for the appearance of spurs, and they are quite diverse. Many doctors identify flat feet and other congenital or acquired pathologies and anomalies of foot development as the main cause. Thus, with flat feet, the arch of the foot flattens. As a result, there is an incorrect redistribution of body weight and load on the foot. With flat feet, the main weight goes to the heel.

Other experts claim that the cause of the disease can be various joint diseases. A fall or a jump from a height can cause damage to bones and joints.

Quite often the cause is overloading of the feet. Constant walking, as well as light and heavy athletics, have a negative effect on health and contribute to the formation of spurs.

Changes in metabolism and gout lead to the development of spurs. Salt deposits and thrombus formation have a particularly negative effect. Thus, diseases accompanied by poor vascular conductivity and circulatory disorders (diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis) often lead to the formation of spurs.

With some infectious diseases, a spur also develops. This is especially facilitated by hidden infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea. With such diseases, the spur also behaves covertly. At first, it develops without any symptoms, not showing itself in any way. And only after several months, almost after full maturation, it manifests itself as a sharp pain in the foot, a pronounced growth.

Often the cause is age-related changes in the skeleton, foot, as well as age-related disorders of blood circulation in the vessels, congestion in the venous system of the legs, and slow recovery of ligaments and tendons.

Risk factors

The risk group includes people suffering from flat feet, arthritis, inflammatory diseases of bones, joints, soft tissues. Inflammatory processes in the joint area have a particularly negative effect. And as a result, it leads to foot deformation, gait changes. At first, tendon tissues are affected by the inflammatory process, then it grows, deposits appear.

Gout is also a risk factor. The elasticity and resilience of the ligament decreases, bone inflammation and hypertrophy develop. Ligament ruptures and individual fibers may occur.

People with diabetes and atherosclerosis are also at risk. This is due to the deterioration of blood vessels, the disruption of their tone, and the deposition of cholesterol in the lumen of the vessels. As a result, the vessels are not able to fully perform their functions. They cannot provide the body with the necessary amount of nutrients and oxygen, cannot remove waste products, resulting in the formation of toxins, intoxication, and progression of the inflammatory process.

People with genital infections are also at risk, especially if these are latent infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, mycoplasmosis. Bacteria cause bacterial intoxications, provoke the development of allergic reactions, as they are sensitizing factors. They are capable of having not only a local effect, but also affecting the entire body, forming new foci of infection and provoking generalized processes. They can also affect joints, muscles, tendons, which ultimately leads to the growth of the superficial layer of bone. A distinctive feature of spurs of bacterial etiology is that pain occurs not only in a state of movement, but also at rest.

Rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus are quite powerful risk factors. These are autoimmune diseases in which the human immune system produces antibodies against its own tissues. Any tissues are attacked, even connective and muscular ones, which are excellent prerequisites for the development of inflammatory reactions and tissue proliferation.

Also at risk are people with obesity, since there is a metabolic disorder, as a result of which tissues grow, the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the body change, and compression and injury of fascia and bones occur.

[ 4 ]

Are foot spurs contagious?

They are not contagious, since they are mainly aseptic inflammation, that is, inflammation that occurs without an infectious process and the development of pathogenic microflora. The consequence of this inflammation is the proliferation of connective tissue, or the deposition of salts in the foot area. After hardening, a spur is formed.

[ 5 ]

Pathogenesis

Usually, the formation of a spur is preceded by some pathology, as a result of which the spur develops further. This can be inflammation, an infectious process, age-related changes, congestion in the legs, or circulatory disorders.

Because of this, further trauma to bones and blood vessels occurs in the legs, micro-ruptures of muscles, blood vessels, and other structures appear. This leads to pain, bruising, and increased tissue regeneration. This process often ends with the development of aseptic inflammation (not accompanied by a violation of microflora or the development of infection).

After this, muscle damage develops, the mucous bag and structures localized under the calcaneal tubercle are damaged. The process is accompanied by the formation of liquid exudate. This liquid aggravates the pathology, since blood and lymph circulation deteriorates, cells and tissues do not receive the necessary amount of oxygen and nutrients, decay products and carbon dioxide are not completely removed. This contributes to the development of an inflammatory or infectious process, since the prevailing conditions meet the requirements of anaerobic microflora, which begins its development.

A characteristic sign is the accumulation of fluid in the intercellular spaces, which can subsequently turn into pus. This only aggravates all previously formed pathologies. Blood circulation is disrupted, and, accordingly, further tissue metabolism, calcium salts are deposited on the bone tubercle, and a spiky growth develops. Thus, in general, a spur can be imagined as a secondary reaction that occurs in response to an inflammatory process.

[ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ]

Symptoms toe spurs

The main symptom is severe pain in the damaged area. The main location of the spur is the heel and sole of the foot. In these areas, redness gradually develops, an elevation appears, and the damaged area grows. If you palpate the foot, the damaged area will be much hotter than the rest of the foot. People often compare this pain to piercing the foot with nails. feeling a nail in the heel. The pain is especially intense in the morning, when leaning on the foot, getting up. This is explained by the contraction of the fascia during rest or sleep. At night, the most intense tissue regeneration occurs, which, recovering, grows together. In the morning, as soon as we get up, they are again subject to rupture, which is accompanied by a surge of pain. It is first localized in the area of the damaged area of the body, then quickly spreads.

The disease can manifest itself acutely: it is simply painful for a person to get up in the morning, it is painful to lean on the leg after sitting for a long time. In some cases, the pain appears gradually, at first moderate, to which the person practically does not pay attention. Everything depends on the localization of the inflammatory process. A person with a spur is easy to recognize by his gait: it usually changes. A person steps on the area where it does not hurt, or where there is no pathology. So, with a heel spur, a person leans on his toes, protecting the heel from the load. When the spur is localized in the toes, a person, on the contrary, leans on the heel, or the lateral surface of the foot.

A spur does not always manifest itself as pain. Many people are not bothered by it, and they do not even suspect its existence. It is discovered accidentally on ultrasound or X-ray as a bone growth. But there may also be opposite cases: a person feels severe sharp pain, while during the examination no pathology in the form of spurs or growths is found.

What does a foot spur look like?

It looks like a small growth protruding above the surface of the intact area. The structure is denser compared to other areas. The skin color may change. Most often, it acquires a dull, yellowish, or slightly gray tint. The size varies widely depending on the severity of the pathology, neglect, and the period when the spur formed. It can be from a few millimeters to tens of centimeters. Redness, as a rule, does not occur.

• Heel spur

Spurs are especially common on the balls of the feet in women, as they prefer to wear high-heeled shoes, which significantly deforms the foot and disrupts blood circulation. Similar spurs are observed in professional dancers, choreographers, and ballerinas due to their professional activities.

• The leg swells due to a spur

Usually, swelling and redness are not observed with spurs. But sometimes there are such exceptional cases when swelling develops. This most often occurs if the spur has developed against the background of metabolic disorders, increased sensitization of the body. This can also be a sign of an allergic reaction, or occur as a side effect in response to the action of drugs, physiotherapy, and other effects.

• Leg pain due to spurs

With spurs, there is often not only pain in the area of the spur itself, but also pain in the legs. It most often spreads to the joints, tendons, muscles. Often the pain covers the joints. In this case, the ankle joint suffers first, and then the rest are affected.

A child has a spur on his foot

Most often, the cause is trauma - a sharp jump, a fall. Children lead an active lifestyle, so circulatory disorders are rare. Quite often, spurs occur as a result of fractures, when a plaster cast is applied and the leg is immobilized for a long time. After the plaster is removed, a scar forms at the site of bone fusion, which gradually turns into a bone growth.

Stages

Usually, the development of a spur occurs in three stages. At the first, some pathological process develops that contributes to the development of the disease, an etiological factor and a susceptible organism appear.

At the second stage, the inflammatory process develops, the immune response is activated, and concomitant pathologies are added: impaired blood circulation, lymph flow, accumulation of fluid, exudate, or pus.

In the third stage, the inflamed tissue grows. As a result, growths form, damaging the surrounding soft tissues.

Forms

The classification is based on various features, such as localization. Thus, there are heel spurs, plantar spurs, spurs on the fingers, and spurs formed between the fingers. Each of them has its own characteristics, although due to the commonality of the main processes and structure, they are all united under a single designation.

Heel spurs

The most common type of spurs are heel spurs. When aggravated, a small inflammation can lead to the formation of sharp spikes. They are the cause of the development of pain syndrome, since the sharp growths are absorbed into soft tissues, skin, causing their damage. Many associate this pain with a prick of a nail. The pain is similar to the sensation when a person steps with a bare foot on a sharp object.

It is pain that is the main symptom by which a spur is diagnosed. But sometimes it happens that a heel spur does not cause pain to the patient. This happens rarely, but nevertheless, it does occur. In such patients, the spur is discovered accidentally during a diagnostic examination. The pain is determined by the peculiarities of the location of the heel growths. For example, they can be located obliquely, as a result of which the sharp end does not touch the soft tissues. There are cases when the length of the growths is insufficient to damage the soft tissues. But cases of painless progression of the disease are very rare, therefore, the pathology is mainly detected by pain syndrome.

Also, a patient with a heel spur can be recognized by his gait, which changes significantly. The person tries not to step on those areas that cause pain, but steps on others, which leads to further deformation of the foot.

The causes of heel spurs are the use of physiologically incorrect footwear, trauma, congenital or acquired foot pathology (for example, flat feet). Acute inflammatory, infectious processes, excess weight, age-related changes can be the cause. Also, intensive, professional sports activities, when the body regularly receives injuries. Microtraumas usually heal, but scars from them accumulate, which ultimately leads to the development of inflammation and spurs.

Heel spurs require mandatory treatment, as they can be dangerous due to their complications. Treatment should be started as early as possible, as if treatment is not started in a timely manner, damage to the hip joint, partial loss of mobility, and neurosis may develop.

Heel spur

On the sole of the foot, spurs most often appear as a secondary pathology that appears against the background of metabolic disorders, or after recent inflammatory and infectious diseases. They are a consequence of the fact that inflammation of the foot tissues occurs, which gradually lose the ability to fully perform their functions. Blood circulation worsens, the outflow of lymph and tissue fluid is disrupted, edema and hyperplasia develop. Salts begin to be deposited from the inflamed tissue, which leads to the formation of bone growths.

Big toe spur

Most often, this type of spurs is formed after an injury, some kind of damage to the big toe. The most dangerous is considered to be damage to the bone and joint, less dangerous is damage to soft tissues. It can also be a consequence of improper distribution of weight and load, as a result of which the weight goes forward, and is not evenly distributed across the foot. It can occur as a result of wearing the wrong and tight shoes for a long time.

A spur on the little toe

On the little toe of the foot, a spur most often appears in children or elderly people. The reason is insufficient mobility, features of the hormonal and endocrine background, due to decreased immunity. Also, the cause may be a metabolic disorder and some congenital or age-acquired pathologies, for example, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, against the background of which there is a violation of blood circulation, normal blood composition, deposits of individual components in the walls of blood vessels.

Spur between the toes

Spurs between the toes are mainly formed as a result of trauma or mechanical damage to soft tissue or bone. Inflammation occurs, as a result of which homeostasis is disrupted. The inflamed tissue gradually swells, hyperplasia occurs, that is, it begins to form protrusions. Also, bone growths can form due to salt deposits due to improper metabolism.

Blue spurs on the legs

Blue spurs may indicate the development of an inflammatory process, as well as an intense lack of oxygen and excess carbon dioxide. This is mainly due to the fact that blood circulation in the extremities is impaired. A thrombus or varicose veins occurs, in which blood and lymph stagnate.

Complications and consequences

There are no dangerous complications that threaten life. But they can significantly reduce a person's quality of life. If the spur is not treated for a long time, partial or complete loss of sensitivity may occur. Inflammation and damage to the joints often occur. Constant pain syndrome exhausts a person and can lead to neurosis and mental disorders.

[ 9 ]

Diagnostics toe spurs

In order to make a diagnosis, you need to see a doctor and undergo diagnostics. Usually, the doctor questions the patient (collects anamnesis of life and illness). Based on the analysis of this data, it is possible to draw a conclusion about the possible causes of the disease. Already based on the patient's subjective complaints, it is possible to assume a diagnosis. To confirm it, the patient is examined, laboratory and instrumental studies are prescribed.

During the examination, the doctor palpates the leg. If pain occurs in the area of the spur, the doctor presses the damaged area from all sides. Externally, the spur is quite easy to detect, as it reaches several centimeters in height.

Tests

The diagnosis can be confirmed by tests. A general clinical and biochemical blood test may be required. This will allow us to establish the main etiological factor of the disease and roughly imagine the course of the pathological process, its direction.

A clinical blood test can determine the presence of an inflammatory process and its severity. A biochemical analysis will help to clarify a number of characteristics of the inflammatory process, will help to determine the tactics and strategy of further treatment, and will make it possible to predict its outcome.

Also, a clinical analysis can show the degree of sensitization of the body, allergization of cells. Allergy indicators and the body's tendency to allergic reactions will be shown by the level of eosinophils. An increased level of eosinophils can also be a sign of a parasitic process, which can also provoke the development of an inflammatory process. According to the analysis, it is possible to detect signs indicating the occurrence of a viral infection in the body, hidden infections.

If necessary, additional studies may be prescribed, such as analysis for latent infections, virological studies, smears from the lesion or other biotope. An allergological study, determination of the level of immunoglobulin E (an indicator of allergy), histamine, and mediators may be prescribed. An immunogram will be quite informative, showing the state of the immune system, the body's defenses, the protective potential of the mucous membranes, and the skin.

[ 10 ]

Instrumental diagnostics

The main instrumental method is an X-ray examination, which allows visualizing the spur. At the initial stages of the pathology, the spur has a rounded shape and only slightly rises above the surface of the bone. However, it can be the cause of severe pain, and this is another sign that allows diagnosing the disease based on the clinical picture. In about 2-3 years, the spur reaches several centimeters in size, and is already noticeable even with the naked eye. In this case, the person moves exclusively on crutches. However, there are also cases when the spur, even of this size, does not cause any inconvenience to a person.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics is based on the need to differentiate a spur from other similar formations, as well as to clearly determine the type of spur. First of all, spurs are differentiated from calluses and corns. Various methods are used for this. Often, a survey and examination of the patient is enough to determine the nature of the pathology based on the clinical picture and specific signs. If this is not enough, available methods of laboratory and instrumental diagnostics are used.

• Corns, spurs on the feet

A spur is a bone growth that damages soft tissue and is accompanied by severe pain. Therefore, it is quite easy to distinguish it from a callus by its external signs.

Calluses that form on the soles, toes, and in the interdigital space are often painful and make walking difficult. But they are easy to distinguish from spurs during examination because only the skin and subcutaneous tissue are damaged. Pain occurs as a result of pressure on the nerve endings. Sometimes the callus has quite deep-penetrating roots. Calluses are quite easily removed after treating the feet and taking a hot foot bath.

• Spurs, corns on the feet

Corns are formations on the skin surface that are very easy to distinguish from spurs. When palpated, they do not go deep into the roots; their superficial location is clearly felt. Corns, compared to spurs, are characterized by a relatively soft structure.

[ 11 ], [ 12 ]

Treatment toe spurs

The main methods of treatment are conservative. This is etiological treatment. But symptomatic treatment is also often used, which is aimed at eliminating symptoms, alleviating the condition, and relieving pain.

If necessary, local treatment is prescribed, mainly ointments and creams. Physical therapy is widely used, which helps normalize blood circulation and eliminate congestion.

In case of ineffectiveness of conservative treatment methods, surgical intervention is used. But doctors try to resort to these methods in case of extreme necessity. A big minus of these methods is the high probability that the spur may appear again.

How to treat heel spurs with medication

At first, doctors try to cure spurs with conservative methods, and only if they are ineffective, they resort to surgical operations. The main medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are aimed at reducing the permeability of blood vessels, removing the inflammatory process. These drugs also improve blood circulation, normalize lymph metabolism, and act as inflammation blockers.

Chondroprotectors are also used, which allow restoring anatomical structures and physiological functions, eliminating inflammation in joints and ligaments. This accelerates the regeneration of damaged tissues.

Often, therapeutic blockades are used, which are performed only by a qualified surgeon. The essence of the procedure is an injection of an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory drug directly into the spur.

Medicines

Any medications must be taken in strict compliance with precautions. For the patient, the main precaution is a mandatory consultation with a doctor and strict adherence to all recommendations and an individually selected treatment regimen. Otherwise, side effects may develop, up to and including metabolic disorders, increased pain, and progression of the spur.

Of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ibuprofen is often used: 1 tablet 2-3 times a day, depending on the severity of the pain syndrome and the severity of the pathological process. You can also recommend nise - a fairly strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug, take 1 or 0.5 tablets before bedtime. Acetylsalicylic acid is taken 1 tablet twice a day. Contraindicated for people with reduced blood clotting, a tendency to bleeding, in the postoperative period, since it contains drugs that thin the blood.

Of the chondroprotectors, chondrotserin can be recommended. If necessary, the doctor can prescribe it in the form of intramuscular injections.

Creams and ointments for feet from heel spurs

Of the ointments, we can recommend indomethacin ointment, voltaren, diclac gel, and Deep-relief gel. They help suppress cyclooxygenase, an enzyme. The optimal frequency of use is three times a day, for at least 14-28 days. You should not expect an early effect. You can avoid addiction by changing to the closest analogue every 14 days.

Hydrocortisone, prednisolone ointments, betamethasone, and dexamethasone are also used.

They should be used with caution, as they contain hormones, which are extremely dangerous substances and can cause a number of side effects, including hormonal imbalance. It is necessary to take into account: it is not recommended for children. The course should not exceed 14 days. Contraindicated for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

There are ointments specifically for the treatment of spurs on the legs. They stimulate tissue regeneration. Artrin, mucosat, chondroxide have proven themselves well. The mechanism of action of these ointments is simple: the growth of the spur is suspended or slowed down. It should be rubbed into the skin until the ointment is completely absorbed. The duration of therapy is 1-12 months.

Homeopathic ointments, such as: apis ointment, heel spur ointment are applied to clean skin and rubbed in until the ointment is completely absorbed. The composition includes various, numerous components that have a direct or indirect effect. They help relieve inflammation. Plant extracts have fewer side effects, effectively relieve pain and swelling.

Ointments based on herbal herbs and other components are used, for example, Golden Us cream-balm, Contractubex, and cinquefoil ointment. These ointments are applied to the affected area 3-4 times a day. It will be much more effective to apply after foot baths and foot massages. This will allow the drug to be better absorbed and have a greater effect. It is recommended to combine ointments and apply them together. The first two days, it is recommended to apply ointments every 2 hours. Then they are alternated, which helps to avoid allergic reactions and addiction. The products are used for a long time, on average 1-3 months.

The main action is aimed at relieving pain, eliminating inflammation, reducing salt deposits on the bone surface and in fascia fibers. This improves blood circulation and increases the elasticity of ligaments.

Warming ointments improve blood circulation, normalize metabolic processes in tissues, accelerate the removal of decay products, toxins that are formed during the inflammatory process. This allows not only to eliminate the inflammatory process, but also to reduce pain. The ointment improves heat exchange in tissues and accelerates the restoration of damaged areas. These ointments include viprosal, efkamon, nikoflex, apizatron, finalgon and other ointments.

Rub in with gentle circular motions, allow to soak in for 3 minutes. After that, it is better to put on woolen socks, which will allow the product to soak in faster and provide maximum positive effects. After applying the ointment, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. The course of treatment is 14 days.

[ 13 ]

Physiotherapy treatment

Modern medicine has a wide range of physiotherapeutic treatment methods.

Vitafon treatment is widely used, which helps to quickly relieve swelling and inflammation, improves vascular function, and normalizes blood circulation.

Phonophoresis is used, during which hydrocortisone ointment is administered using ultrasound. The desired effect is achieved due to the combined action of ultraviolet light and a hormonal agent. It helps improve metabolic processes, normalizes blood microcirculation, ensures blood and lymph outflow, and eliminates congestion. Thanks to ultrasound, hydrocortisone penetrates much deeper into the tissue, which significantly increases its activity.

Laser or quantum therapy helps relieve pain, swelling, redness, and reduces inflammation. It has a stimulating effect on the body. The laser beam can penetrate deep into the tissue through the skin and have a therapeutic effect.

X-ray therapy blocks the nerve endings around the spur, which eliminates pain and reduces inflammation.

The essence of shock wave therapy also consists in blocking pain receptors. As a result, pain during exercise is significantly reduced, tendons and ligaments are strengthened, and bone growths are absorbed.

On average, 7-15 physiotherapy sessions are required to achieve a positive effect, depending on the type of therapy and the severity of the pathological process. Usually, one course is enough to completely remove spurs on the legs and prevent their recurrence.