What causes heel spurs?
Overload is the main cause of heel spurs. Under the foot runs the tendon that connects the heel bone to the ball of the forefoot and keeps the arch of the foot in tension. Standing for hours on the wrong footwear increases this tension. When the pressure becomes too great, for example due to excess weight or sagging feet, cracks occur at the attachment to the bone. In response, the body deposits a 'spur': a piece of bone on the heel bone to strengthen the attachment of the tendon. This is the beginning of heel spurs.
Plantar fasciitis is often mentioned in the same breath as heel spurs, which is wrong. Heel spur is the protruding piece of bone on the heel bone, but the pain does not come from there. The real culprit is an irritated or inflamed tendon leaf. Heel spurs are therefore the consequence and not the cause. Heel spurs are harmless in themselves. Only when the tissue of the tendon leaf becomes inflamed will you experience severe pain under the heel.
Treating heel spurs
Inflammation of the tendon plate can be caused by old age, diabetes, flat feet or arch feet. It can also occur when running, especially if you wear shoes that do not absorb enough shock or provide little support, putting a lot of strain on the heel bone. A suitable tool to treat heel spurs are the Herzog Compression Ankle Socks. These provide firm compression to the arch of the foot and around the heel-instep line. The tendon sheet that connects the heel bone to the ball of the forefoot runs under the foot. The extra compression is important to maintain the natural curvature of the sole of the foot and to relieve the load on the tendon plate, causing the arch of the foot to sag less.
Cor Lambregts
Former marathon champion
"I don't often advertise, but these are really great socks. Not that they make you run faster... no, not that, but since I started wearing them, I no longer have problems with my heel spurs. Something that has bothered me for more than three years. My enjoyment of running is back and... on balance you are running faster again!!"
"I don't often advertise, but these are really great socks. Not that they make you run faster... no, not that, but since I started wearing them, I no longer have problems with my heel spurs. Something that has bothered me for more than three years. My enjoyment of running is back and... on balance you are running faster again!!"
