Heel spur; it is an annoying and common and very painful condition. But what exactly is it? Heel spur is a calcification of the tendon plate that sometimes causes inflammation of the heel. Heel spur is therefore also called tendon plate inflammation or plantar fasciitis. Many people suffer from this. Here are some tips to prevent and treat plantar fasciitis.
Preventing plantar fasciitis
There are a number of things you can do to prevent heel spur. The most important and simplest is actually to take good care of your feet. Good circulation is incredibly important and reduces the chances of calcification in the heel. It is also important to buy good quality shoes with good cushioning, and replace your shoes regularly. Wearing flip-flops is also not recommended. Slippers are of course great to wear during hot summer days, but they often do not have a good footbed and therefore poor cushioning. So if you still want to wear them in nice weather, choose slippers with a good footbed. This significantly reduces the risk of heel spur!
Causes of plantar fasciitis
Heel spur is mostly caused by overuse. However, bad shoes and sports that often involve landing hard on the heels are also causes of this problem. Being overweight is also an influence. Furthermore, heel spur is more common in people over 40, and in women.
Treatment of plantar fasciitis
Fortunately, there are several ways to treat heel spur. If you have only been experiencing symptoms for a short time, it is best to take it easy on sports for a while. Try to avoid jogging and running for a while. Take a critical look at your shoes. Do they still give enough cushioning? What many people benefit from is using silicone gel socks, or the Strassburg sock. You put this heel spur sock on when you go to bed, and at night it forces your foot into a hooked position. This puts a slight stretch on the tendon plate and prevents it from shortening. You can also do further exercise that can provide relief.
