A bony spur projecting from the back or unde rside of
the heel bone (the calcaneus) that often makes walking painful. A calcaneal spur
is also called a heel spur.
Spurs at the back of the heel are associated with inflammation of the Achilles
tendon (Achilles tendinitis) and cause tenderness and pain at the back of the heel
that is made worse by pushing off the ball of the foot.
Spurs under the sole (plantar area) are associated with inflammation of the plantar
fascia (the "bowstring-like" tissue stretching from the heel underneath the sole)
and cause localized tenderness and pain made worse by stepping down on the heel.
Not all heel spurs cause symptoms. Some are discovered on X-rays taken for other
purposes.
Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis can occur alone or be related to underlying
diseases which cause arthritis (inflammation of the joints) such as Reiter's disease,
ankylosing spondylitis, and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.
Treatment is designed to decrease the inflammation and avoid reinjury. Icing
reduces pain and inflammation. Antiinflammatory agents (such as ibuprofen or injections
of cortisone) can help. Heel lifts reduce stress on the Achilles tendon and relieve
painful spurs at the back of the heel. Donut-shaped shoe inserts take pressure off
plantar spurs. Infrequently surgery is done on chronically inflamed spurs.
medical
dictionary, online medical dictionary, medical
terminology dictionary, free online medical
dictionary, medical dictionary, online medical
dictionary, medical terminology dictionary, free
online medical dictionary, dictionary medical,
dictionary medical online, dictionary medical
terminology, dictionary free medical online,
dictionary free medical, dictionary medical
terms, dictionary drug medical medicine,
dictionary health illustrated medical nursing
profession stedmans, dictionary English medical,
dictionary medical online terminology,
dictionary encyclopedia medical online,
condition dictionary medical, dictionary
medical, dictionary drug medical, medical
dictionary software, cyclopedic dictionary index
medical tabers thumb, medical dictionary, online
medical dictionary, medical terminology
dictionary
