Calcaneal spur

Calcaneal Spur

Calcaneal spur (pronunciation: kal-KAY-nee-al spur), also known as a heel spur, is a bony outgrowth from the calcaneus (heel bone).

Etymology

The term "calcaneal" is derived from the Latin word "calcaneus" which means heel, and "spur" is an English term referring to a sharp or pointed device.

Definition

A calcaneal spur is a bony protrusion that can occur on the underside of the heel bone. It is often associated with plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the fibrous band of connective tissue (plantar fascia) that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a calcaneal spur can include heel pain, inflammation, and swelling at the front of the heel. The pain may be severe and can affect the person's ability to walk.

Causes

Calcaneal spurs are often caused by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, and repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone. It is often seen in patients who have arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or osteoarthritis.

Treatment

Treatment for calcaneal spurs includes rest, physical therapy, shoe modifications, anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes surgery. In many cases, calcaneal spurs can be treated without surgery through conservative methods such as stretching exercises, shoe recommendations, taping or strapping to rest stressed muscles and tendons, and physical therapies.

Related Terms

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Heel Pain
• Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Ankylosing Spondylitis

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Calcaneal spur
• Wikipedia's article - Calcaneal spur

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