How to quickly cure heel bursitis?

Bursitis of the foot is an inflammatory lesion of one or more synovial bursae involved in the formation of joints. This disease is treated by:

About the disease

In most cases, the bursa located in the area of ​​the first joint of the phalangeal and metatarsal bones, the bursa of the heel tendon, or the bursa of the heel region itself becomes inflamed. The pathology is manifested by classic signs of inflammation – pain, redness, swelling and a rise in local body temperature, as well as a violation of the functional state of the foot. Bursitis most often has a primarily chronic course. Acute forms are usually caused by infection of the joint capsules. If acute bursitis is not treated in a timely manner, the pathology transforms into low-grade inflammation. Middle-aged and elderly people are most susceptible to bursitis. The exception to this rule is athletes, in whom the most common form of the disease is achillobursitis, which develops at a young age. Diagnosis of inflammatory lesions of the joint capsules of the foot is based on a careful assessment of clinical symptoms and objective examination data. The final diagnosis is made based on imaging techniques, in particular radiography and ultrasound scanning. In complex clinical cases, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is used. Bursitis is usually treated conservatively. An integrated approach allows you to achieve the desired result. Surgical intervention is performed when purulent inflammation of the bursa develops.

Types

• Achilles bursitis – the joint capsule, which is located in the area of ​​​​attachment of the Achilles tendon, becomes inflamed;
• subcalcaneal bursitis – the bursa located in the lower part of the heel becomes inflamed;
• Bursitis of the first finger is caused by inflammation of the bursa located in the area of ​​​​the junction of the first phalangeal bone and the metatarsal bone.

Symptoms of foot bursitis

Symptoms of foot bunions may include the following:

• pain in the area of ​​the inflamed bursa;
• redness and swelling of the skin located above the affected bursa;
• local increase in skin temperature.

Pain in the initial stages of the disease appears only after long walking or prolonged wearing of non-ergonomic shoes. Later, pain may be present even at rest, incl. and during night sleep, causing insomnia. With heel bursitis, the pain becomes especially intense if the patient tries to rise on his toes.

Clinical signs are determined by the location of the inflamed bursa. Often, a visual examination reveals not only the symptoms of bursa inflammation, but also predisposing factors in the form of foot deformity. Thus, with bursitis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, a “bone” is identified on the inner surface of the foot, as well as calluses in places where the skin experiences excessive mechanical pressure. In severe cases, the first toe overlaps the second, indicating a severe degree of deformity.

Causes

Inflammation of one or more synovial bursae of the foot is most often caused by repeated trauma to the joint bursae. Predisposing factors increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Their role may include the following states:

• the presence of foot deformities – most often this is a valgus of the first toe (“bone” of the big toe), heel “spur”, flat foot, clubfoot;
• concomitant acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system (plantar fasciitis);
• repeated trauma to the foot, incl. associated with physical exercise (long jump, athletics, etc.);
• excess body weight, which increases the load on joints and periarticular tissues;
• biological aging of the body, when degenerative processes are launched in many tissues (in women, bursitis can often be associated with the onset of menopause);
• thinning of subcutaneous fat in the area where the synovial bursae are located under the skin;
• deforming osteoarthritis of medium and small joints of the lower limb;
• wearing compressive shoes, which have an adverse mechanical effect on the musculoskeletal system of the foot;
• pathology of the spinal column, which increases the load on the feet;
• metabolic and autoimmune disorders in the body.

Get a consultation

If you experience these symptoms, we recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor. Timely consultation will prevent negative consequences for your health.

You can find out more about the disease, prices for treatment and make an appointment with a specialist by calling:

Are you bothered by throbbing pain in your heel, which is especially noticeable when you take off your shoes, when walking, running or other contact of your heel with the floor? The most likely cause of these symptoms is heel bursitis (also known as Achilles bursitis). Heel bursitis is an inflammation of the joint capsule that develops in the lower part of the heel and causes pain. This disease is not difficult to cure, but it is best to start therapy in the early stages of its development to avoid complications.

If you want calcaneal bursitis to be treated by a professional, contact the MEDICOM clinic for help. Our specialists have many years of experience in medical practice, and for treatment they use only modern European equipment. By contacting MEDICOM you can be sure that you are entrusting your health to professionals.

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Causes of heel bursitis

Achilles-calcaneal bursitis occurs as a result of reasons such as:

• rheumatoid arthritis;
• being overweight;
• excessive loads on the heel while walking, running, etc.;
• constant wearing of tight and uncomfortable shoes, high heels.
• influenza, sore throat and other infectious diseases;
• sports injuries and microtraumas;

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Symptoms of heel bursitis

Heel bursitis is manifested by the following symptoms:

• pain in the heel area that occurs upon contact with the surface;
• elevated temperature (with exacerbation of heel bursitis).
• redness and swelling of the affected area;
• limited ankle mobility;

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Heel bursitis: diagnosis of the disease

Methods for diagnosing heel bursitis are as follows:

• examination by an orthopedist and medical history;
• computed tomography (CT);
• radiography.

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Treatment of heel bursitis

The disease is highly treatable. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner and carefully follow his instructions, relief will occur within a few days. An orthopedist-traumatologist at the MEDICOM clinic will draw up a therapeutic plan in accordance with the severity and severity of the inflammatory process. Among the most effective methods of treating heel bursitis are:

• Shock wave therapy.
  The principle of this technique is the use of acoustic waves, which affect the affected area without compromising the integrity of the skin and provide a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
• Physiotherapy.
  The plan may include various procedures, in particular, exercise therapy, massage courses, etc.

If necessary, the attending physician combines different therapeutic techniques and adjusts the treatment program in accordance with the patient’s body’s response to the procedures performed.

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Prevention of heel bursitis

To prevent the development of Achilles bursitis it is necessary:

• avoid overfatigue of ligaments and muscles (a reasonable balance between physical activity and rest should be maintained);
• use protective equipment when engaging in hazardous sports;
• periodically do foot massage and special gymnastics;
• if you receive an injury or wound, treat the damaged area to avoid infection and the development of infectious bursitis;
• carefully select shoes according to size.

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Question answer

How to diagnose heel bursitis?

To diagnose heel bursitis, an examination by an orthopedist is necessary. The doctor resorts to palpation and medical history to find out the possible cause of the pain, and prescribes x-rays and CT scans to clarify the diagnosis.

Is it possible to cure heel bursitis without surgery?

In the initial stages of the disease, which are mild, you can do without surgery. In this case, conservative treatment methods show good results: physiotherapy and shock wave therapy (SWT). If there is no improvement, surgery is performed in a hospital setting.

What can you eat if you have heel bursitis?

To support the body, a special diet is required. You need to eat foods containing vitamins A, C and E. This includes chicken, beef, seafood and plant-based foods.

The article is for informational purposes only. Please remember: self-medication can be harmful to your health.