Causes
How does a heel spur develop and what can you do about it? You can find out everything about causes, symptoms and more in this article.
SHOES FOR HEEL SPURS
Heel spur shoes - recovery for your feet!
by UXGO
04. February 2021, 17:13 clock
Why does it have to be a special shoe for heel spurs?
Heel spur is almost a trend that is hard to avoid if you are a woman or an extreme athlete over 40. About one in 10 women between 40 and 60 suffers from a heel spur, also known as calcaneal spur. This degenerative, i.e. wear-related disease is usually accompanied by severe overloading of the feet. It is not uncommon for this to be triggered by occupational factors, whether in the field of sport or in occupational groups that are on their feet for extremely long periods of time.
Even without foot problems, it is absolutely advantageous to wear good shoes at all times. If a nasty pain occurs in the heel, walking quickly becomes an ordeal. This is where the right heel spur shoes come into play. They won't take away the problem, but they can at least relieve and support your foot.
Would you like to learn more about the causes and symptoms of a heel spur?
Then click here to read our article!
What kind of shoes will damage your heel spur?
Before we tell you in detail what the right heel spur shoes must be able to do, we will explain what kind of footwear you should avoid in order to prevent a heel spur or not make it worse.
Unlike hallux valgus or hallux rigidus, which always affect the front of the foot, heel spurs affect the lower or upper part of the heel. So it is not, as is often the case, high shoes or tight ballerinas that cause pain in the feet, but uncomfortable and unsuitable footwear for certain activities.
The wrong shoe works against you, not with you.
Many shoes have way too thin soles, which are also quite rigid and thus inhibit the natural rolling movement of your foot. This means that the foot is not sufficiently cushioned and protected when walking.
In many professions, it is very usual to be on your feet for at least ten hours a day. If you skimp on good shoes, you will not be able to withstand the overload in the long run.
Even professional and extreme athletes should pay meticulous attention to suitable and functional shoes that provide good support and help the foot withstand extreme stress.
This is how you recognize the wrong shoes:
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Too thin and too rigid sole
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Too low shoe upper and no room for insoles
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Low-quality material
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Shoes that are too small or too tight
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Hard footbed
How can you relieve your heels in addition to wearing the right shoes?
You can find heel spur exercises and tips in our article 'Treating heel spurs well'!
Heel spur shoes - a myth?
Let's put it this way: the only true shoe designed exclusively for heel spurs does not exist. So what should it look like and what can you expect from it?
Unlike hallux valgus or hallux rigidus, the problem lies inside the foot. This means that there is little you can do about it from the outside. Because a shoe, despite all its functionality, can neither reduce or completely eliminate the problem.
But: On the other hand, there are definitely the right shoes that can help relieve the pain and improve the symptoms of a heel spur. That would be space for a suitable heel spur insole, absolute wearing comfort, 100% freedom for your toes and good support in the heel. In this way, the shoe, which we only call a heel spur shoe with reservations, can support your foot in such a way that your painful heel is relieved.
Profilaxe or relief - heel spur shoes should be able to do both!
With the right heel spur shoes, you can definitely take the precaution of preventing it from getting to this point in the first place, which would be the best form of profileaxe for healthy feet.
If it has already come to this and you already have pain in the heel area, then the right heel spur shoe can relieve your foot and prevent the inflammation around the heel spur from getting worse and thus the pain from getting worse. It is important to remedy this and not to continue to press your feet into the wrong shoes, which increases the wear and tear and thus worsen the heel spur.
Do you want to choose a shoe that provides optimal support for your aching heel?
Then take a look at our special models here!
Heel Spur Sets by UXGO
What do the perfect heel spur shoes look like and what do they have to be able to do?
As mentioned above, there are no absolute shoes for heel spurs, the holy grail of shoe models. However, we can tell you what a good and functional shoe for heel spurs should have:
You should look for:
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A soft, well-cushioned footbed
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High-quality, breathable material that is flexible enough to support your movements in a flattering way, but does not wear out or give in over time
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Strong support at the heel
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Space for insoles
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High shoe upper
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Correct fit in width and size
To help you with your shoe choice, we have provided you with a fit guide.
Here you can find out the exact right size & width!
How did my heel spur develop? Causes of the development.
How does a heel spur actually develop and why do we need special heel spur shoes for it? Explained in a nutshell: due to incorrect stress on the foot.
Avoid these risk factors:
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Overloading due to overweight
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Weak or shortened foot or calf muscles
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Malpositions, such as flat feet
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Frequent and intensive jogging
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Long periods of walking and standing
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Unsuitable footwear
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Unsuitable footwear
Micro-cracks on the lower tendon cord attached to the heel are the result and irritate the periosteum. Inflammations develop. To repair these lesions, the body accumulates calcium particles to support and balance. Along the tendon cord, the heel spur thus gradually forms, similar to the claw that protrudes backwards of birds.
The heel spur is a long-term consequence and develops gradually.
The good news is that it's not because you haven't had heel spur shoes yet. In most cases, a heel spur develops over a long period of time. Small injuries and cracks develop where the Achilles heel and the heel bone are connected. Inflammation occurs at these sites, and inflammatory cells dissolve them, causing calcifications to form at these sites. These calcifications develop into an unpleasantly painful heel spur.
There are two different types of heel spurs, the upper (cranial) and the lower (dorsal). We will explain these in more detail in the next paragraph.
Would you like more information about heel spurs?
Click here for our heel spur article!
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Heel Spur Sets by UXGO
Heel spur complaints - help from a professional
In the case of severe and long-lasting heel pain, your doctor can always help you best. How did your heel spur develop, how can you specifically counteract it, which heel spur exercises are most effective for you and how far advanced or how big is the heel spur at all. The doctor will use an X-ray to determine the current status and degree of the spur.
Anamnesis & Diagnosis
In the first step, your doctor will discuss your medical history with you. Because the pain is usually easy to localise, an initial diagnosis can often be made directly. In addition, an X-ray is taken, which shows exactly whether a heel spur is present and how advanced it is. It is important to tell your doctor when the pain started, how severe it is and what form it takes. Are there any improving circumstances, how does the pain affect you and what deficits do you have in everyday life as a result? All of this is important in order to be able to make a detailed diagnosis so that the right form of treatment for the heel spur can be chosen individually and promisingly for you.
Conclusion
As bad as it sounds, it can be managed very well. In addition to the right heel spur shoes, you can achieve a lot with targeted exercises.
Important note:
This article does not replace a visit to the doctor and is not suitable for self-diagnosis. If you suspect that you are developing a heel spur, then make an appointment directly and get individual treatment and advice.
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