Calcaneal spurs, meaning, causes, treatment, physiotherapy

 Calcaneal spurs 

It is a spike of bone at the anterior edge of the calcaneal tuberosity (usually medial) and is called calcaneal enthesiopathy. 

Causes:-

• Repeated attack of plantar fascitis. 
• Repeated trauma
• Constant pulls of the Shortened plantar fascia. 
• I'll fitting footwear
• Fibromatosis of the plantar fascia. 

Treatment:-

Conservative method

Physiotherapy management

Measure to relieve stress on the plantar fascia

• After prolonged sitting bear weight on the toes instead of the heel. 
• During walking an appropriate wedge in the heel
• Alternatively an elongated soft heel-pad. 
• Walking on outer border of foot with the toes curled up. 

Measures to strength the intrinsic muscles of the foot:

• As soon as the patient gets up in morning he is instructed to immense his foot in warm water and curl his toes and hold it for sometime. 
• Faradic stimulation of the foot. 

Measures to strengthen the leg and calf muscle. 

• SLR exercise
• Prone lying knee flexion 
• Isokinetic exercises
• Gradually - prone kneeling, squatting, climbing, getting down stairs, cross leg sitting spot running, jogging and aerobics

Surgery is indicated when no relief is seen with conservative method.