Heel Spur Syndrome / Enthesopathy

Heel spur syndrome, enthesopathy, is defined as pain under the heel of the foot, due to the inflammation of the heel bone (calcareous) where it attached large ligament (plantar fascia). The spur growing out of the heel bone is actually bone calcification extending into plantar fascia. This condition often presents with plantar fasciitis.

Symptoms include:

• Pain under the heel
• Pain worse following weight bearing activities

Risk Factors:

• Poor flexibility (eg. calf tightness)
• Poor biomechanics (eg. Over pronation)
• Inappropriate footwear
• Standing on hard surfaces
• overweight

Assessment – The podiatrists at toe-tal will diagnose the condition through a biomechanical assessment or X-ray, and go through all the necessary treatments listed below to help get you on the right path.

Treatment: – It is important to follow a rehabilitation program so your injury doesn’t reoccur.

1. Rest/reduce activity levels (especially running and jumping)
2. Ice for 15 minutes – use a frozen coke bottle and roll under the arch of your foot, slowly increasing the force you use as you push down
3. Stretching and strengthening exercises – (talk to podiatrist what exercises require to do)
4. Low dye strapping –(podiatrist at toe-tal will show you how to do)
5. Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain, maximum 7 days (contact GP if have any concerns)
6. Orthotic therapy
7. Correct biomechanics
8. Wear good supportive shoes most of the time – (talk to the podiatrist at toe-tal about what footwear suits your foot best)
9. Wear gel heel pad
10. Lose weight if overweight
11. Corticosteroid Injections