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

Spurs on the legs are not uncommon in modern medicine. It's not just callus or nattooptysis, as many patients believe, but a serious illness. There is inflammation in the area where the spur is localized. Gradually, it spreads to other parts of the foot. Over time, instead of the inflammatory process, a bone growth (osteophyte) is formed. Do not expect that the spur will disappear by itself. It necessarily requires complex therapy and elimination of the causes of its formation, without which it can progress and spread, hitting other sites.

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Epidemiology

Today spur is one of the most common pathologies. In comparison with the last century, the frequency of occurrence of this pathology increased by 8%. Previously, it was believed that the spur on the legs is a consequence of chronic or acute trauma to the foot. But at the present time the reasons for this pathology are much greater. This diagnosis occurs in 17% of cases. Especially often, this pathology occurs in the city residents and large megacities. In 80% occurs in women. Presumably, the reason is constant walking on heels. The risk increases significantly with age. Thus, in individuals over 40 years, spurs on their feet occur 3 times more often than in young people.

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Causes of the spurs on the legs

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

Other experts argue that the cause of the disease can be various joint diseases. Damage to bones and joints can lead to a fall, a jump from a height.

Quite often the cause is overload stop. Negatively affects the health status and promotes the formation of spurs, constant walking, as well as light and heavy athletics.

The development of spurs leads to a change in metabolism, gout. Particularly adversely affected by the deposition of salts formation of blood clots. Thus, the formation of spurs is often caused by diseases accompanied by poor vascular conductivity, a violation of blood circulation (diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis).

With some infectious diseases, a spur also develops. Especially it is promoted by the latent infections, such as a clamidiosis, a gonorrhea. With such diseases, the spur also behaves discreetly. At first it develops without any symptoms, without manifesting itself in any way. And only after a few months, almost after full ripening, it manifests itself by a sharp pain in the foot, expressed by a build-up.

Often, the cause is the age-related changes in the skeleton, foot, as well as age-related violations of blood circulation in the vessels, stagnation in the venous leg system, delayed restoration of ligaments and tendons.

Risk factors

People who suffer from flat feet, arthritis, inflammatory diseases of bones, joints, and soft tissues are at risk. Particularly adversely affect inflammation in the joints. And as a result leads to deformation of the foot, a change in gait. First, the tendon tissues are affected by the inflammatory process, then it grows, sediments appear.

Gout is also a risk factor. The elasticity and elasticity of the ligament decreases, bone inflammation, hypertrophy develops. There may be ruptures of ligaments, individual fibers.

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

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

Rheumatism, red systemic lupus erythematosus are quite powerful risk factors. These are autoimmune diseases in which human immunity produces antibodies against their own tissues. Under the attack, any tissues, even connective, get muscle, which is an excellent prerequisite for the development of inflammatory reactions, tissue proliferation.

People with obesity also fall into the risk group, as a disturbance in metabolism is observed, as a result tissues grow, the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the organism change, the fascia and bones are compressed and traumatized.

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Are the spurs on the legs contagious?

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

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Pathogenesis

Usually the formation of a spur is preceded by some pathology, as a result of which the spur develops further. It can be inflammation, infectious process, age changes, stagnant phenomena in the legs, blood circulation disorders.

Because of this, further injuries to bones and vessels occur in the legs, micro-ruptures of muscles, vessels, and other structures appear. This leads to the appearance of pain, bruising, increased tissue regeneration. Often this process ends with the development of aseptic inflammation (not accompanying the disturbance of microflora, the development of infection).

After this, muscular lesion develops, the mucous bag is damaged, the structures localized under the calcaneal tubercle. The process is accompanied by the formation of fluid exudate. This fluid exacerbates the pathology, as blood and lymph circulation deteriorates, cells and tissues do not receive the necessary amount of oxygen and nutrients, the decomposition products and carbon dioxide are not fully discharged. This contributes to the development of an inflammatory or infectious process, since the prevailing conditions satisfy the requirements of anaerobic microflora, which begins its development.

A characteristic feature is the accumulation of fluid in the intercellular spaces, which can later turn into pus. This only exacerbates all previously formed pathologies. Violated blood circulation, and consequently, and further tissue metabolism, deposited calcium salts on the osseous hillock, develop a spike growth. Thus, in general, the spur can be represented as a secondary reaction that arises in response to the inflammatory process.

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Symptoms of the spurs on the legs

The main symptom is the strongest pain in the affected area. The main location of the spur is the heel and sole of the foot. In these areas, redness develops gradually, an eminence appears, a growth of the damaged area. If you feel the foot, the damaged area will be much hotter than the rest of the foot. People often compare this pain with piercing the legs with nails. Feeling of a nail in the heel. The pain is especially intense in the morning hours, with support on the leg, rising. This is explained by a reduction in the fascia during rest or sleep. At night, the most intensive regeneration of tissues takes place, which, regenerating, grow together. In the morning, as soon as we get up, they again undergo a rupture, which is accompanied by a splash of pain. It first localizes in the area of the damaged area of the body, then spreads quickly.

The disease can manifest itself sharply: a person simply hurts to get up in the morning, it is painful to rely on the foot after a long sitting. In some cases, the pain appears gradually, at first a moderate one, 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 walking: it usually changes. A person treads on a site where he does not feel pain, or where there is no pathology. So, with a heel spur a person leans on the fingers, protecting the heel from the load. When the spur is localized in the area of the fingers, the person, on the contrary, rests on the heel, or lateral surface of the foot.

The spur does not always show itself as a pain. She does not bother many people, and they do not even know about her existence. It is found by chance on ultrasound or X-ray in the form of a bone growth. But there can be opposite cases: the person feels a strong sharp pain, whereas during the study no pathology in the form of spurs or outgrowths is found.

What does the spur on the leg look like?

It looks like a small outgrowth protruding above the surface of the intact section. The structure is compacted compared to the rest. Skin color may change. Most often it acquires a dull, yellowish, or slightly gray hue. 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 a dozen centimeters. Redness, as a rule, does not arise.

• Spur on foot cushion

On the foot pads, spurs are especially common in women, as they prefer to wear shoes on the heel, which significantly deforms the foot and disrupts blood circulation. Similar spurs are observed in professional dancers, choreographers, dancers in connection with their professional activities.

• Swollen leg with spur

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

• Pain in the legs with spurs

With spurs, there often appears not only pain in the localization of the spur itself, but also pain in the legs. It extends most often to the joints, tendons, muscles. Often the pain covers the joints. At the same time, the ankle suffers first, and then the rest are affected.

Spur in the child's leg

The most common cause is injury - a sharp jump, a fall. Children lead a mobile way of life, therefore, their blood circulation is rare. Quite often spurs arise as a result of fractures, when gypsum is applied and the leg is in immobilized position for a long time. After removing the gypsum, a scar is formed in the joint of the bone, which gradually turns into a bone growth.

Stages

Usually the development of the spur occurs in three stages. The first one develops a pathological process that promotes the development of the disease, an etiological factor and a receptive organism appear.

In the second stage, the inflammatory process develops, the immune response is activated, associated pathologies are associated with: circulatory disturbance, lymph drainage, fluid accumulation, exudate, or pus.

At the third stage, the inflamed tissue proliferates. As a result, sprouting occurs, damaging the surrounding soft tissues.

Forms

The classification is based on various characteristics, for example, localization. So, the heel spur, plantar, spur on fingers, a spur formed between the fingers is distinguished. Each of them has its own peculiarities, although in view of the commonness of the main processes and structure, they are all united under a single designation.

Spurs on the heel of the foot

The most common type of spurs are the spurs on the heel. Aggravated, a small inflammation can lead to the formation of sharp spines. They are the cause of the development of pain syndrome, because acute outgrowths will absorb into soft tissues, skin, causing their damage. Many associate this pain with a nail prick. The pain is similar to the sensations in which a person becomes 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 the heel spur and does not cause pain in the patient. This happens rarely, nevertheless, there is a place to be. In such patients, the spur is detected accidentally during a diagnostic study. Pain is determined by the peculiarities of the location of calcaneal processes. For example, they can be arranged obliquely, as a result of which the soft end does not affect the soft tissue. There are times when the length of the outgrowths is not enough to damage the soft tissues. But the cases of painless course of the disease are very rare, therefore in the main pathology is revealed by the pain syndrome.

Also, a patient with a calcaneal spur can be recognized by walking, which changes significantly. A person tries not to step on those areas that cause soreness, but come on to others, which leads to further deformation of the foot.

The causes of development of the heel spur is the use of physiologically incorrect footwear, trauma, congenital or acquired pathology of the foot (for example, flat feet). The cause may be acute inflammatory, infectious processes, excess weight, age changes. Also intense, professional sports, when the body regularly gets injured. Microtraumas usually heal, but scars accumulate from them, which ultimately leads to the development of inflammation, and spurs.

The heel spur requires compulsory treatment, because it can be dangerous for its complications. To begin treatment it is necessary as soon as possible, because if treatment is not started in time, hip joint development, partial loss of mobility, neurosis can develop.

Spur on the sole of the foot

On the sole of the foot spurs most often appear as a secondary pathology, which appeared against the background of metabolic disturbances, or after recently transferred inflammatory and infectious diseases. They are a consequence of the inflammation of the foot tissues, which gradually lose the ability to fully perform their functions. Blood circulation worsens, lymph and tissue fluid outflow is disturbed, edema, hyperplasia develops. From the inflamed tissue, salts begin to be deposited, which leads to the formation of bone growths.

Spur on the big toe

Most often this kind of spurs is formed after an injury, any damage to the thumb. The most dangerous is damage to the bone and joint, less dangerous - damage to soft tissues. It can also be a consequence of an incorrect distribution of weight and load, as a result of which the weight goes forward, and not evenly distributed along the foot. May occur as a result of prolonged wearing of an incorrect and tight shoe.

Spur on the little finger of the foot

On the little finger of the legs, a spur appears most often in children, or in the elderly. The reason is lack of mobility, especially hormonal and endocrine background, due to decreased immunity. Also, the cause may be a violation of the metabolism and some congenital or acquired with age, pathologies, for example, diabetes, atherosclerosis, against which there is a violation of blood circulation, normal blood composition, deposits of individual components in the walls of blood vessels occur.

Spur between toes

Between the fingers, the spurs are mainly formed as a result of injuries or mechanical damage to soft tissues or bone. There is inflammation, resulting in disrupted homeostasis. Inflamed tissue gradually swells, hyperplasia occurs, that is, it begins to form protrusions. Bone outgrowths can also be formed due to salt deposits due to improper metabolism.

Blue spurs on legs

Spurs of blue color can indicate the development of the inflammatory process, as well as an intense shortage of oxygen and excess carbon dioxide. This is mainly due to the fact that in the extremities, blood circulation is disturbed. There is a blood clot, or varicose veins, in which there is stagnation of blood and lymph.

Complications and consequences

Dangerous complications that threaten life do not arise. But they can significantly reduce the quality of human life. If the spur is not treated for a long time, a partial or total loss of sensitivity may occur. Often there is inflammation and damage to the joints. Constant pain syndrome exhausts a person, and can lead to neurosis, mental disorders.

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Diagnostics of the spurs on the legs

In order to make a diagnosis, you need to see a doctor and carry out a diagnosis. Usually, the doctor interviews the patient (collects an anamnesis of life and illness). Based on the analysis of these data, we can conclude that the possible causes of the disease. Even on the basis of subjective complaints of the patient, one can presume a diagnosis. For his confirmation, the patient is examined, laboratory and instrumental studies are prescribed.

During the examination, the doctor feels his foot. If there is pain in the spur area, the doctor will squeeze the affected area from all sides. Externally, to reveal the spur is easy enough, since it reaches several centimeters in height.

Analyzes

Confirm the diagnosis with the help of analyzes. You may need a general clinical and biochemical blood test. This will establish the main etiological factor of the disease and approximately represent the course of the pathological process, its direction.

According to the clinical analysis of blood, it is possible to determine the presence of the inflammatory process, the degree of its severity. Biochemical analysis will clarify a number of characteristics of the inflammatory process, help determine the tactics and strategy of further treatment, will give an opportunity to predict its outcome.

Also, a clinical analysis can show the degree of sensitization of the body, allergization of cells. Indicators of allergy and the propensity of the body to allergic reactions, will show the level of eosinophils. Elevated levels of eosinophils may also be a sign of a parasitic process, which can also trigger the development of an inflammatory process. According to the analysis, you can find signs that indicate the occurrence of a viral infection in the body, hidden infections.

If necessary, additional studies can be prescribed, for example, analysis for hidden infections, virological studies, smears from a lesion focus or another biotope. Allergological research, determination of the level of immunoglobulin E (an indicator of allergy), histamine, mediators can be prescribed. Quite informative is the immunogram, which will show the state of the immune system, the body's defenses, the protective potential of mucous membranes, skin.

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Instrumental diagnostics

The main instrumental method is X-ray examination, which allows visualizing the spur. At the initial stages of the development of pathology, the spine is round in shape, and only slightly elevates above the surface of the bone. Nevertheless, it can be the cause of severe pain, and this is another sign that allows diagnosing the disease according to the clinical picture. Approximately 2-3 years the spine reaches several centimeters in size, and is already visible even to the naked eye. In this case, the person moves exclusively on crutches. However, there are also cases when a spike, even of such dimensions, does not cause a person any inconvenience.

Differential diagnosis

The basis of differential diagnosis is the need to differentiate the spur from other similar formations, as well as clearly determine the type of spur. First of all, differentiate spurs from calluses and corns. To do this, apply a variety of methods. Often enough, a survey and examination of the patient is sufficient to determine the nature of the pathology according to the clinical picture and specific characteristics. If this is not enough, apply the available methods of laboratory and instrumental diagnostics.

• Corns, spurs on the legs

The spur is a bone outgrowth that damages the soft tissues and is accompanied by severe pain. Therefore, it is quite easy to distinguish it from corn by external signs.

Corns formed on the soles, fingers, in the interdigital space, are often painful and make walking difficult. But they are easy to distinguish from spurs when viewed from the fact that only the skin and subcutaneous tissue are damaged. Pain occurs as a result of pressure on the nerve endings. Sometimes corn has deep enough penetrating roots. Corns are easily removed after treatment of the feet and taking a hot foot bath.

• Spurs, paws on the legs

The corns are formations on the surface of the skin, which are very easily distinguished from spurs. When palpation, they do not go deep down, it is good to feel their superficial location. The corns, in comparison with the spur, are characterized by a relatively soft structure.

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Treatment of the spurs on the legs

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

If necessary, prescribe a local treatment, presented mainly with ointments and creams. Widely used therapeutic exercise, which allows you to normalize blood circulation, eliminate stagnant phenomena.

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

How to treat spurs on heels medically

First, doctors try to cure spurs with conservative methods, and only in case of their inefficiency, resort to surgical operations. Of the drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the main means, which are aimed at reducing vascular permeability, removing the inflammatory process. Also these drugs improve blood circulation, normalize lymph exchange, act as blockers of inflammation.

Also used chondroprotectors, which allow to restore anatomical structures and physiological functions, eliminate inflammation in the joints, ligaments. This accelerates the regeneration of damaged tissues.

Often apply therapeutic blockade, which is performed only by a qualified surgeon. The essence of the procedure consists in pricking an anesthetic and an anti-inflammatory agent directly into the spur.

Medications

Any medicines should be taken in strict adherence to precautions. For the patient, the main precaution is compulsory consultation with a doctor and strict adherence to all recommendations and individually selected treatment regimens. Otherwise, side effects may develop, including upsetting metabolic processes, increasing soreness and progressing spur development.

Of 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. Also it is possible to recommend najz - strong enough anti-inflammatory and anesthetizing agent, accept on 1 or 0,5 tablets before a dream. Acetylsalicylic acid is taken 1 tablet twice a day. Contraindicated in people with reduced blood coagulability, a tendency to bleeding, in the postoperative period, because it contains drugs that dilute blood.

Chondrocerine can be recommended from chondroprotectors. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe in the form of intramuscular injections.

Creams and ointments for legs from the calcaneal spur

From ointments it is possible to recommend indomethacin ointment, voltaren, diklak-gel, gel Dip-rel. They help suppress the cyclooxygenase enzyme. The optimal frequency of application is three times a day, at least 14-28 days. Early effect should not be expected. Avoid addiction, you need to change every 14 days to the nearest analogue.

Apply also hydrocartisone, prednisalonovuyu ointments, betamethasone, dexamethasone.

Apply carefully because they contain hormones that are extremely dangerous substances and can cause a number of side effects, up to the violation of hormonal status. Must be considered: not recommended for children. The course should not exceed 14 days. Contraindicated in pregnant women and lactating mothers.

There are ointments especially for treating spurs on the legs. They stimulate tissue repair. Well proven arthrin, mucosate, chondroxide. The mechanism of action of these ointments is simple: spur growth stops or slows down. It should be rubbed into the skin as long as the ointment is not absorbed completely. The duration of therapy is 1-12 months.

Homeopathic ointments, for example: ointment of apis, heelspot-ointment are applied to clean skin and rub until the ointment is completely absorbed. The composition includes various, numerous components that have a direct or indirect effect. Promotes the removal of the inflammatory process. Herbal extracts have fewer side effects, pain and swelling are effective.

Apply ointments based on herbs and other components, such as cream-balm Golden Us, contractubecks, ointment based on sabelnik. These ointments are applied to the affected area 3-4 times a day. It will be much more effective to apply after foot baths, foot massage. This will allow the drug to absorb better and have a greater effect. It is recommended to combine the ointments, apply them together. The first two days are recommended to smear ointments every 2 hours. Then they alternate, which avoids allergic reaction and habituation. The funds are used for a long time, on average 1-3 months.

The main action is aimed at relieving pain, eliminating inflammation, reducing the deposition of salts on the bone surface and in fascia fibers. This allows you to improve blood circulation, increase the elasticity of ligaments.

Warming ointments improve blood circulation, normalize metabolic processes in tissues, accelerate the release 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. Ointment can improve heat transfer in tissues and accelerate the restoration of damaged areas. Among these ointments are viprosal, efkamon, nikofleks, apizatron, finalgon and other ointments.

Rubbing neat circular movements, give the opportunity to absorb 3 minutes. After this, it is better to wear woolen socks, which will allow the product to absorb faster and have a maximum of positive effects. After applying the ointment, you must thoroughly wash your hands. The course of treatment is 14 days.

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Physiotherapeutic treatment

Modern medicine has a wide arsenal of physiotherapeutic methods of treatment.

Widely used Vitafon treatment, which facilitates the rapid removal of edema and inflammation, improves the activity of blood vessels, normalizes blood circulation.

Phonophoresis is used, during which ultrasonic hydrocortisone ointment is administered. The desired effect can be achieved due to the combined effect of ultraviolet and hormonal agents. Promotes improvement of metabolic processes, normalizes microcirculation of blood, provides outflow of blood and lymph, eliminates stagnant phenomena. Due to ultrasound, hydrocortisone penetrates much deeper into the tissue, which significantly enhances its activity.

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

X-ray therapy blocks the nerve endings around the spur, which removes pain, relieves inflammation.

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

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