Chosen Conservative Treatments on the Symptoms of Calcaneal Spur: A Short Review

Abstract

Background: Calcaneal spur (CS) occurs when calcium deposits build up on the underside of the heel bone, a process that usually lasts for many months. CS often causes foot muscle strain, inflammation of the plantar fasciitis, repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone and pain. CS decreases physical activity, social capacity, reducing the quality of life, and becomes the cause of frequent absence from work due to sickness. It is a disease commonly appearing in adults, and it is also a serious social problem. Physiotherapy is an alternative method for phar-macology and surgery. It includes kinesiotherapy, orthoses, corticosteroid therapy, and electrotherapy, but their efficacy remains controversial. The aim of this manuscript was a short review of the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound (US) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on the symptoms of CS.