Treatment of heel spurs on feet at home

Even such a seemingly harmless disease as spurs on the feet can lead to serious disorders and cause disruption of many processes in the body, up to disability. The quality of life is significantly reduced, which is not surprising, since each new movement is accompanied by sharp pain. If earlier it was considered that this disease of the elderly, today it tends to rejuvenate. Even young people suffer from it, especially women.

There can be many causes of the disease. In order to start treatment, it is necessary to eliminate the cause, otherwise recovery is impossible. The main causes can be flat feet, congenital or acquired defects of the foot, legs, various injuries, inflammatory processes. If you play sports intensively, get microtraumas, or have an additional load in the form of excess weight, the risk of developing a spur also increases.

Treatment is initially conservative. It is necessary to try to cure the spur with medications, physiotherapeutic means. You can try homeopathy, folk methods, herbal medicine, and only if none of these methods have the desired effect, resort to surgical methods.

What kind of doctor treats foot spurs?

It is difficult to answer this question unequivocally. Usually, several doctors are involved in the treatment of spurs on the feet. Not all of them may be in the clinic, so it is better to initially contact your local therapist, who will offer an examination plan and refer you to the right specialist.

Usually, first of all, they refer you to a surgeon or orthopedist for consultation. It is better to contact an orthopedist, since this is a specialist doctor who specializes in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The fact is that not all clinics have orthopedists. Therefore, if there is no orthopedist, the consultation is conducted by a surgeon.

The doctor will collect the patient's medical history, medical history, which will allow to roughly assume the nature of the pathology and the probable etiological factor. After this, the doctor must examine the patient. In this case, a full palpation of the foot is carried out. If fasciitis is suspected, an X-ray may be required. In this case, you will have to contact a radiologist. To establish a differential diagnosis, clarify some data, the doctor may send you for an ultrasound. In this case, you will have to deal with an ultrasound diagnostician.

In case of neurological conditions and causes of the spur, the orthopedist or surgeon will refer to a specialist - a neurologist, neurologist. If rheumatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other similar diseases are detected, a rheumatologist will be involved in the treatment. If the cause of the spur formation was a metabolic disorder, or diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, an endocrinologist is involved in the treatment. In case of excess weight, a consultation with a dietitian or nutritionist may be required.

There are even cases when treatment is carried out under the guidance of a gastroenterologist. This happens quite often, mainly if a neurologist has diagnosed painful neuropathy, funicular myelosis. The fact is that these diseases develop as a result of a violation of nerve conduction, which, in turn, occurs as a result of a deficiency of B vitamins. Vitamins of this group are usually lacking due to a violation of absorption processes in the stomach, which is a consequence of gastritis with dyspeptic disorders.

During treatment, therapeutic exercise may be prescribed. Then a preliminary consultation with a therapeutic exercise doctor is required. Classes are usually conducted by an exercise therapy instructor. When prescribing physiotherapy procedures, you cannot do without a consultation with a physiotherapist; when prescribing massage, a consultation with a manual therapist is needed.

Thus, during the treatment, you will have to deal with many specialists. But you should start with an orthopedist, or, if there is none on staff, with a surgeon.

At home, a person has access to a wide range of methods that can help in the fight against spurs. The main thing is not to do anything on your own, consult a doctor in everything, otherwise you can not only not get a healing effect, but also harm. Treatment of spurs requires a lot of persistence and time from a person. Therefore, it is better to immediately take care of the prevention of new spurs. For example, you can change your shoes to more comfortable, high-quality ones. In this case, it is better to use special shoes or use orthopedic insoles.

If your work involves standing, you need to relax your legs in the evening by taking a hot foot bath. After that, you can apply a tonic cream or a healing ointment, rub your legs vigorously, put on warm socks, and lie down for a while with your legs up the wall. Try to relax and not think about anything. It is recommended to use various balms and ointments that soften the skin and eliminate inflammation. You can do lotions, compresses, and warming up. Contrast showers and cold water dousing are useful.

You can learn to do a light foot massage yourself. This will always keep them in good shape, relieve stress, eliminate swelling and congestion. The massage is done with intense squeezing movements, in the direction from the fingertips to the knee joint, then we continue further, directing the liquid and all accumulated substances to the pelvic lymph nodes.

Squeezing is the main technique. It is carried out more intensively. While auxiliary techniques are stroking, rubbing, which must be carried out before the main technique, then alternated. The approximate duration of such a procedure is 20 minutes. Various devices and massagers are available for sale, designed for massage at home.

If your legs feel tired, you can apply compresses and lotions. For this, it is better to use herbal decoctions as a base. They should be warm and pleasant for the skin. Apply one layer of gauze soaked in a pre-prepared decoction, then a small layer of cellophane or polyethylene, which will retain moisture and create a greenhouse effect. Also apply a layer of warm material on top, preferably woolen fabric, which will retain heat, increase blood circulation, and relieve inflammation. Warming ointments can be applied under such a compress, which will significantly increase their effectiveness.

You can alternate compresses with lotions, for which it is enough to apply one layer - gauze soaked in water or herbal decoction. Such lotions should be kept for about 15 minutes, after which you can rub with massage movements and lie down for a while, raising your legs up. At home, you can use various folk recipes and homeopathic remedies. There are many recipes that are ideal for a compress, or simply for application to the damaged area.

Vitamins

To treat spurs, like any other disease, the body needs vitamins, because without them it will not be able to function fully, and even more so, will not find the resources to restore its structure and functions, resist tissue growth. It is recommended to take multivitamin complexes, which include all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the body in such proportions that the body needs.

Vitamin complexes Vitrum, which are designed for different ages and physiological states of the body, taking into account their current needs and characteristics of the body, have proven themselves well. Additionally, you should take vitamin C, which is a good antioxidant, fills the body with vitamins, promotes their active absorption, increases immunity, stimulates appetite, metabolic processes. It also has antioxidant properties, helping to remove free radicals from the body, prevents lipid peroxidation processes, which also has a positive effect on metabolic processes. The daily dosage for an adult is 500 mg per day.

Foot baths for spurs

One of the main means of treating spurs are baths, which significantly soften not only the skin, but also the subcutaneous tissue, making it more toned, smooth and elastic. Baths can be cold, hot, warm. You can use contrast baths, alternating hot water with cold. Various oils and other components that can be added to the water will help to enhance the effect. If swelling and redness appear, a feeling of heaviness, burning, after a working day, it is better to take cold baths. They are also a good preventive measure that ensures the prevention of vascular diseases and venous congestion, increases the elasticity of cells and tissues, promotes gradual softening of the skin, resorption of seals and growths.

You can add various components to the bath. You can use herbal decoctions instead of water. Sea salt will be very useful, it will quickly relieve swelling, normalize the turgor properties of the skin, saturate the skin with necessary microelements, and eliminate excess fluid. Plant extracts and decoctions of plants with a tonic effect are also well suited for cold baths. You can add essential oils.

To reduce pain and prepare for sleep, it is recommended to use baths close to the temperature of the human body. It is good to add various soluble substances to them: salts, soda, various squeezes and extracts, homeopathic remedies.

Hot baths normalize metabolism, which helps relieve nervous and muscular tension, it is recommended to add medicinal preparations to such baths. Some folk remedies will do. Essential oils are also good.

Traditionally, salt baths are used for spurs, which have a positive effect on metabolism. The temperature should roughly correspond to the temperature of the human body. The salt concentration is quite high - up to 200-300 grams per medium-sized basin. You can use such baths for the whole body, which will only enhance the effect and will normalize metabolic processes not only in the legs, but also in the entire body as a whole.

Baths with pine extract also work well. To prepare, you need pine essential oil or any ready-made pine extract. But you can also use natural pine needles and cones collected in the forest, away from roads. Pour boiling water over the pine needles, bring to a boil over low heat while stirring constantly. Boil for no more than 5 minutes. This saturates the decoction with nutrients and vitamins. The plant also gives active substances to the water, including phytoncides, alkaloids, which have an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, they have a calming effect on the nervous system.

Baths with potassium permanganate (manganese) are used in cases where the spur has been damaged and an infection has joined it, as well as in cases of latent or obvious infection that has caused the development of the spur.

Soda baths are recommended for skin lesions of the legs. About 2 tablespoons of soda are required for 10 liters of water.

Starches reduce skin irritation, itching, pain. To make a foot bath, you need to dilute about 250 grams of starch in cold water, then add a little warm water, and pour it into the bath in which you plan to steam your feet. You need to pour it in while stirring constantly.

Baths with oat flakes and wheat bran are also used. Take about a handful of flakes or bran per 10 liters of water, pour into a canvas bag and boil for an hour in 3-4 liters of water. Pour the solution into a basin with the rest of the water, put the bag there, and steam your feet.

Mustard baths help to recover from an inflammatory process, or simply relieve inflammation. They also improve blood circulation and eliminate congestion. The water should be hot, but not hotter than 45 degrees. A higher temperature prevents the release of essential oils from mustard, and therefore the healing effect is reduced. First, mix 100-150 grams of dry mustard in warm water, then add the resulting solution to the basin in which your feet will be steamed.

How to properly steam your feet if you have spurs?

Various medicinal preparations, herbal decoctions, and even animal products are used for baths. Mumiyo is used as a means of strengthening not only the legs, but also the whole body. This means helps to increase immunity, normalize metabolic processes, blood circulation in the vessels of the lower extremities and the whole body as a whole.

Baths with this product help to dissolve spurs and prevent the appearance of new ones. This product has long been used to treat fractures, spurs, and neoplasms. In ancient times, the famous physician and philosopher Avicenna, in his book "The Canon of Medicine," describing the treatment of spurs and fractures, indicated that the first thing a patient should take is mumiyo. It is taken both internally and externally. Antlers - the antlers of a young deer, which can be added to foot baths, have no less healing effect. It has a stimulating effect on bones and muscles, prevents the formation of deformations. Antlers, in particular maral, red deer, contain many active components that have a stimulating effect.

A decoction of dried cicada powder is used for foot baths. You can also steam your feet in plain water, then sprinkle the area where the spur has formed with cicada powder. It is also used for feverish and convulsive conditions.

A decoction of mole crickets and crickets, dried and ground into powder, is used. You can also add licorice root to the decoction, which has found wide application in folk medicine. This mixture is especially effective for elderly people.

Fresh frog skin can be applied directly to the spur, and even the wound surface, or it can be added to a decoction for foot baths. This remedy has long been known among the people, but was not recognized by modern medicine. Over time, it was found that the skin contains a natural antibiotic that is effective in combating infectious diseases.

Herbal treatment

In folk medicine, many medicines are obtained from domestic animals. For example, liver is recommended to be consumed as food or as a food supplement in the form of pates. Lamb liver is especially useful for spurs. Some people take liver in dried form, as a powder. To prepare the powder, you need to dry the liver in the sun or in the oven under dry heat, then grind it in a coffee grinder. Use as a food supplement, a teaspoon 1-2 times a day. It is better to do this after prior consultation with a doctor. Read also: Treatment of heel spurs with folk remedies

Fat has a positive effect. Thus, pork fat is prescribed to people with poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency in food. It has a laxative and diuretic effect, so when using it, these properties must be taken into account. Fat also reduces pain, improves tissue structure. For rheumatism, joint inflammation, bear fat is used.

Urine is used to treat pain, eliminate spasms and inflammation. It is recommended to steam your feet over horse urine vapors or use compresses. Freshly released human urine remains an effective remedy for treating spurs to this day.

Herbs are widely used to treat spurs. Some of them are taken internally to provide a systemic effect on the body. But more often, symptomatic treatment of a local nature is used, that is, they act directly on the spur located on the foot. For this, it is most convenient to use foot baths, compresses, and lotions. Ointments are made from some herbs and smeared on the foot.

Orchis maculata is used both internally and externally. The root tubers are used for treatment. They contain approximately 50% mucus, consisting of polysaccharides, starch, bitters and essential oil.

Ephedra distachya is taken internally in the form of decoctions and infusions, and also externally in medicinal baths, compresses, as a cream or lotion for lubricating damaged areas. It tones skeletal muscles, especially the lower limbs. It is used for arthritis, inflammation of muscles, ligaments, and salt deposits. It has a powerful analgesic effect. It is especially often used to relieve pain in inflamed joints and spurs. It is used both externally and internally.

Horse sorrel is a perennial plant with a powerful root system, with an erect stem, branched at the top. It is used in the form of decoctions and powders. The decoction is taken internally no more than a glass per day. Externally, it is used as a decoction for foot baths, compresses. Dry powder is used as an additive to cream, or simply sprinkled on damaged areas of the body.

Cinnamon rosehip is used as a multivitamin remedy that normalizes general metabolism, removes toxins and radionuclides from the body. It helps cleanse the blood, normalizes both systemic and local blood circulation, especially in the extremities, which can reduce swelling, inflammation, and eliminate hyperplastic processes. Pain syndrome is reduced.

The main effect is achieved due to the high content of sugars, pectins, tannins, organic acids, fatty oils, vitamins, carotenoids, tocopherols, iron salts, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium. Dissolves kidney stones, bone growths, any deposits. Taken internally in the form of decoctions and infusions, externally - as part of medicinal baths, compresses, rubbed into the skin.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies are widely used to treat leg spurs. Although there are very few cases of side effects, precautions should still be taken. You should not take the remedy until the diagnosis is confirmed, since each spur has its own characteristics and its own etiological factor. You should consult a doctor before starting treatment. It is also important to eliminate the cause of the spur and only then begin treatment, otherwise it will not have any effect.

Inorganic drugs have proven themselves to be effective in treating spurs. Among them, salts, mineral compounds, and stones occupy a significant place.

The most common salts are table salt and magnesium sulfate. Table salt in small quantities eliminates swelling, removes excess fluid, and normalizes water-salt metabolism. It is also considered an antiviral, antiparasitic agent, and cleanses the body. Magnesia is considered an anti-inflammatory, decongestant, and pain reliever that quickly eliminates the symptoms of leg pain with spurs.

Magical effects have long been attributed to red iron ore, which, when applied externally, stopped bleeding, relieved inflammation, eliminated redness and neoplasms, and when applied internally, eliminated pain, normalized metabolic processes, relieved inflammation and promoted the dissolution and decay of deposited salts.

Ortho foot cream

As soon as a patient is diagnosed with a spur, doctors try to prescribe steroid or non-steroid ointments. This is quite understandable because these ointments have an effect as quickly as possible: they effectively eliminate inflammation and relieve pain. But few people take into account how harmful these drugs are: they have numerous side effects, disrupt the overall hormonal background, and provoke diseases of the internal organs. The kidneys and liver, which are the main organs that process and remove active components, suffer especially.

But there is always an alternative: before buying such dangerous products, it is advisable to try creams based on plant and animal components. An example of such products is the Ortho cream. The composition includes such components as horseradish extract, lichen, lilac, juniper, burdock, and lemon essential oil.

The cream helps relieve tired legs, relieves the venous system, eliminates congestion, corns, calluses, and spurs. Apply the cream to a steamed heel. First, it is recommended to make a foot bath, then wipe the skin dry and apply the cream with massaging movements, rubbing it in intensively until completely absorbed. The course of treatment is at least 14 days, since this is a cumulative drug. The first effects can be seen only after 7 days of use. Around this time, the pain completely goes away. Spurs also gradually begin to dissolve.

The mechanism of action is that the cream softens the skin and promotes uniform distribution of the load across the entire foot. Inflammation can usually be eliminated only in the early stages of the disease. Pain is relieved fairly quickly, discomfort when walking is eliminated, blood circulation in the affected areas is improved and lymphatic exchange is normalized.

The cream is intended for the treatment of heel spurs, relief of the patient's condition, and prevention. It is also used to treat other types of spurs, neoplasms, and calluses. The cream is often used as part of a complex treatment with other medications and methods, especially in combination with orthopedic insoles. They make the insoles more comfortable and ensure their correct placement, due to the fact that the composition includes essential oils of lemon and juniper. Sold in any pharmacy without a prescription. There are practically no contraindications or side effects, except for cases of individual intolerance to the components.

Plaster for spurs on legs

Today, spurs patches are becoming increasingly popular. They relieve the load from the affected area of the foot, as a result of which the inflammatory process is significantly reduced and pain is eliminated. They all have common properties: they have a local irritant effect, which helps to normalize blood circulation and metabolic processes. The warming effect helps to get rid of acute pain and speed up recovery.

Traditionally, pepper plaster is used. Before use, you need to carefully study the instructions. The method of application must be indicated on it.

Before applying the patch, it is necessary to wash the application area with warm water, then dry it with a towel. Then the skin is processed. From the unpacked patch, cut out the required size plate. Then carefully apply the adhesive side to the heel and smooth it out. The foot must be insulated. If discomfort or a strong burning sensation occurs, remove the patch as quickly as possible. In order to completely relieve the symptoms of the disease, apply 2-3 applications.

Chinese patches, which are transdermal and made from natural plant components, have also proven themselves well. Some of them also contain elements of animal origin, organic and inorganic substances. They relieve inflammation, improve the flow of blood and other fluids in the body, and help remove salts and toxins, which often cause the development of spurs.

Eliminates swelling and pain. It is used similarly to a pepper patch: simply apply to the skin for 2-3 days. Usually, 10-12 applications are required to completely eliminate the pathology. Unlike a pepper patch, it is not considered a medicine, but is a cosmetic product.

Narzan with spurs on his feet

Narzan is a mineral water that has found wide application in the treatment of various diseases, both external and internal. The name comes from the first discovered source. Previously, the name sounded like "Nart-Sane", which means "drink of the Narts". Kislovodsk, famous for its healing waters, was later founded on the site of this source. Researchers have established that this source has never changed the chemical composition of the waters. Their unique properties are preserved today.

Narzan water is considered a standard, it has no taste, color or smell.

It is used in the treatment of diseases of various internal organs, including the musculoskeletal system. Normalizes metabolic processes in the body, removes toxins, destroys the decomposition of salts. Maintains the body, muscles, ligaments, tendons in a normal functional state, promotes the restoration of damaged cells and tissues, enhances the effect of some drugs. First of all, it normalizes carbohydrate metabolism, due to which the normal state of the liver, kidneys, blood, and blood vessels is maintained. Normal blood flow and an optimal level of tissue metabolism are maintained in the microcirculatory bed.

It is recommended to take a course of 28 days. This helps to normalize all the main functions of the body, maintains an optimal balance of mineral metabolism. Natural carbon dioxide helps to normalize the exchange of macroelements and microelements, which normalizes osmotic pressure.

Narzan waters are widely used at the Kislovodsk resort. Narzan baths have proven themselves well, having a positive effect on the body as a whole. They help normalize metabolism, improve the condition of the skin and hair, eliminate leg swelling, relax the feet, dissolve calluses, spurs, and corns.

There is a specially developed and scientifically substantiated method of using narzan baths. Thus, their effectiveness largely depends on the magnitude of hydrostatic pressure, water temperature, duration of the procedure, and type of narzan. The optimal mode of action is determined for each patient individually.

Until 1928, only one type of narzan was known, which was conventionally named after the territory of its discovery "Kislovodsk spring". Later, other springs were discovered, due to which all narzans had to be divided into three groups, each of which is used to treat spurs on the legs.

The group of general narzans includes waters of low mineralization, found near the rivers Berezovka and Podkumok. It is extracted at a depth of 10-15 meters. The water temperature is 12 degrees. It is used mainly for external use. It is ideal for foot baths for spurs, general medicinal baths, compresses, rubbing, lotions.

The second group includes dolmite narzans, which are distinguished by a high content of carbon dioxide, as well as sodium and chlorine ions. The water temperature fluctuates between 15 and 17 degrees. It is extracted at a depth of 100-150 meters. It is used mainly for drinking treatment: it helps cleanse the body, remove toxins and normalize metabolic processes.

The third group is represented by sulfate narzan. This is the group with the highest level of mineralization, which is achieved due to the high content of sodium and magnesium. It is used both internally and externally. Normalizes bowel function.

The water has contraindications. Thus, it cannot be taken internally for any diseases in the acute stage, in the presence of malignant neoplasms, and also from the fifth month of pregnancy. Narzan is also contraindicated in frequent and heavy bleeding, lung abscesses, bronchial asthma, peptic ulcer, acute heart disease, insufficiency.

Foot massagers for spurs

Today, there are many different massagers on the market. They can be successfully used to treat spurs on the legs. First of all, all massagers are aimed at relaxing tense areas, toning weakened muscles. They help effectively eliminate fatigue and relieve swelling. The main effect is to stimulate nerve endings (receptors), which provide the necessary response.

When choosing a massager, you need to consult with a doctor or consultant, since it is almost impossible to decide on your own in such a large variety. In order to facilitate the selection procedure, you first need to decide what purpose you need a massager for.

The "Bliss" device will help relieve fatigue and swelling of the legs. It is quite simple, come in the evening after work, put your feet on a specially adapted stand and start the necessary program. It is necessary to take into account that this device has contraindications, so it is still better to consult a doctor before buying. For example, it cannot be used in case of epilepsy, severe heart disease, pregnancy, and also in the presence of a pacemaker.

Massage baths are very popular. They quickly relieve fatigue, swelling, and relax muscles. Depending on the model, you can use water heating, vibration, and bubbles. You can even choose the color of the water. Four mode changes will eliminate not only pain, but also spasms. It is also widely used for preventive purposes, in cosmetology. You can also use this device to perform dry massage.

The classic Japanese massager "Marutaka" is a device that performs acupuncture (impact on biologically active points). Also, from Japanese massagers, we can recommend the "Yamaguki" model, which will help not only relieve fatigue and tension from the legs, but also overcome stress, and increase efficiency. It massages not only the feet, but also the ankles. If necessary, you can use the heating mode. The rotation speed and pressure force are programmable.

The wooden massager is still relevant. It is still as effective as any modern device. It is a roller device that quickly relieves fatigue, pain, swelling. Men and the elderly prefer to use it. Simple, convenient, reliable. It is almost impossible to break it.

Potato compresses for spurs on legs

Warming compresses are often made from potatoes. A warming compress consists of three layers. The bottom layer is usually gauze soaked in some kind of medicinal preparation, decoction, or active substance.

In the case of a potato compress, there are several options. You can soak gauze in potato broth. You can make mashed potatoes and put them in gauze, wrapping them in several layers. You can use pieces of boiled potatoes, or two halves of a jacket potato. Some make special cakes from flour and potatoes, which can be used several times. Also, cellophane or oilcloth is placed on the first layer. The size should exceed the size of the gauze. This layer must be waterproof.

The second layer is a thin layer of cotton wool, which will have a warming effect. The cotton wool should be larger than the 2 previous layers. Then we bandage the cotton wool with a bandage or thin fabric.

The third layer is dry heat. We apply a warm scarf or any other warm fabric, preferably wool. The compress should last 6-10 hours. If the compress is applied correctly, the bottom layer should remain moist all the time. Compresses have virtually no contraindications, with the exception of skin lesions, dermatological diseases and the presence of pustules.

Urine treatment

Urine, especially freshly collected, is an effective treatment for many diseases. Heel spurs are no exception. To treat heel spurs, urine is most often used externally in the form of compresses and lotions. The method of application is extremely simple - you need to collect urine, soak gauze in it and place it on the affected area. In the case of a compress, two more layers are applied on top - oilcloth and dry heat. If this is a lotion, one gauze, without a coating, is enough. The procedure time is 15-20 minutes.

Treatment with iodine

Iodine has long been used to treat various external and internal diseases. It has proven itself as a remedy for treating spurs and relieving pain. It is used in the form of an iodine grid, which is applied to the affected area. Cotton wool wound on a stick must be dipped in iodine, after which a grid is drawn on the site of the spur. Iodine is absorbed very quickly. After it has been absorbed and there is no trace left, a new grid can be applied.