Do you suffer from heel spur? Do you want to know all the information about it and how to treat it? So follow the article to know it in detail. A heel nail may be a stand-alone condition, or it may be a symptom of a health problem. Let''s learn more about a heel nail or what is known as a bone spur in the following: What is a heel nail?

Heel corn is a diseased condition caused by excess calcareous deposits in the heel area, and the heel nail is usually sharp and pointed or slightly flat.

This type of callus may extend from the heel of the foot to the middle of the arch of the foot, showing on X-ray imaging the area extending over an area of approximately 1.25 centimeters.

Symptoms of a heel spur

Symptoms of a heel spur may include

Sharp pain in the foot similar to the pain of stabbing with a sharp knife, especially when standing in the morning as soon as you wake up from sleep.

Pain of moderate intensity during the day in the heel area.

Inflammation and swelling in the forefoot.

Feeling of heat in the affected area.

The appearance of a clear bone-like bump at the bottom of the heel.

The presence of softness in the heel area makes it difficult to walk with bare feet.

If any of these symptoms appear, the person should see the specialist doctor, as it is not possible to diagnose a heel nail unless it is seen on an X-ray.

It should be mentioned that sometimes none of the aforementioned symptoms appear on the injured person, only to discover that he has a heel spur by chance when he x-rayed his foot for another purpose.

Causes of heel nail infection

The heel nail arises as a result of the following reasons

Damage to the muscles, ligaments and soft tissues in the heel area for some reason.

Tear of the membrane covering the heel bone.

With age, the heel becomes unable to absorb the shocks it is exposed to efficiently.

Calcium buildup in the heel area over time.

Risk factors that increase heel spur

There are many factors that may contribute to increasing the chances of a heel spur developing, including the following:

Sports activities. Continuous running or jumping may cause damage to the heel and arch of the foot.

Doing repetitive activities on hard, rough surfaces.

The heel of the foot has been exposed to an accident or injury, which may cause bruising or a tear in the membrane surrounding the heel bone.

Aging and advancing age, it has been found that the heel nail is more common among the elderly usually.

Gender. Heel corns are more common among women.

Obesity, as it was found that obese people are more susceptible to heel nail.

Wearing unsuitable shoes, meaning that they do not provide the necessary support for the heel of the foot, such as: wearing slippers.

In addition, having one of the following health problems may increase the chances of developing a heel nail:

Reiter''s syndrome (Spondyloarthropathies)

Ankylosing spondylitis.

Plantar fasciitis.

Heel nail treatment

After diagnosing the condition by a doctor, the medical options available to treat a heel spur may include the following:

Get the necessary rest and stop exposing the heel to pressure, as this may relieve pain and swelling.

Using ice packs, this traditional solution reduces pain and swelling as well.

Using an inner tongue of the shoe made especially for the patient to remove or reduce pressure on the heel.

Wear special athletic shoes.

Take anti-inflammatory medications.

Taking a cortisone injection.

Undergoing surgery, and this happens in rare cases and if the above-mentioned treatments do not work.

Addressing the health problem that caused the appearance of the heel nail.

What is the difference between a heel spur and plantar fasciitis?

These two conditions are often mistakenly confused, especially since plantar fasciitis increases the chances of developing a heel nail.

The difference between the two cases is that the heel spur is calcareous deposits that appear in the heel area, while plantar fasciitis results in swelling and pain in the plantar fascia in the foot.

Plantar fasciitis also results from great pressure or force that the foot is exposed to and is beyond its potential, such as the following cases:

Obesity.

Walking or exercising for long periods.

Wearing shoes that do not provide the necessary support for the feet.

Plantar fasciitis may disappear without the need for treatment, while the heel nail needs medical treatment, otherwise it will accompany the patient throughout his life.