What are the symptoms of a heel spur?
Heel spurs often cause pain over the back of the ankle or heel. Patients will report pain when pushing off the ball of the foot. Certain shoe wear can also make symptoms worse.
How are heel spurs diagnosed?
Pain over the back of the heel can be from Achilles tendon pain, bursitis or heel spurs. Pressure when palpating over this area can result in pain.
X-rays are often used to confirm the presence of a bone spur, and ultrasound or MRI used to assess the quality of the Achilles tendon and surrounding soft tissue
How are heel spurs treated?
Heel spurs are often treated conservatively. Ice, anti-inflammatory medications, heel lifts to reduce stress on the Achilles tendon, changing shoe wear, and physical therapy often can relieve pain. Sometimes surgery is performed, and while a repair can produce good long-term results patients are often immobilized in a boot for up to 90-days. The most common surgical complication is delayed wound healing (Caudell 2017).
Are there alternatives to traditional surgery?
Tenex does not cut health Achilles tendon tissue and decreases how long patients have to be immobilized after the procedure. The mini-incision also theoretically decreases the risk of wound healing complications.
Caudell GM. Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2017 Apr;34(2):195-205.
Johansson KJJ, Sarimo JJ, Lempainen LL, et al. Calcific spurs at the insertion of the Achilles tendon: a clinical and histological study. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2012 Oct-Dec; 2(4): 273–277.
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