[The radiotherapy treatment of painful calcaneal spurs].

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Many patients attend orthopedic departments complaining of pain on the plantar aspect of the calcaneum. The symptoms may subside spontaneously, but often persist. Treatment is usually by local injection of a corticosteroid, orthopedic devices or other standard treatment. If these methods fail, X-ray treatment may be considered. The efficacy of radiotherapy of the calcaneal spur was evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

From April 1981 through December 1991, 18 patients with painful heel were irradiated mostly with the caesium or telecobalt unit, usually with a dose of 4 times 0.5 Gy. Among these patients, 12 could be followed up during a prolonged period on the basis of questionnaires.

RESULTS:

According to the categories of v. Pannewitz 17% of the patients were pain-free by the end of the treatment course, 22% showed marked improvement, 33% showed improvement and in 28% the pain was not influenced. Over an average of 41.5 months 58% of the patients reported freedom from pain.

CONCLUSIONS:

Low-dose radiotherapy appears to relieve the painful heel syndrome in a high proportion of patients. The overall treatment risk appears to be very small. The mechanism of low-dose radiotherapy is unknown.

• Authors: U Schäfer, O Micke, M Glashörster, C Rübe, F J Prott, N Willich
• Journal: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al] (Strahlenther Onkol) Vol. 171 Issue 4 Pg. 202-6 (Apr 1995) ISSN: 0179-7158 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Strahlentherapeutische Behandlung des schmerzhaften Fersenbeinsporns.
• PMID: 7740407 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cesium Radioisotopes
• Cobalt Radioisotopes

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Calcaneus (radiation effects)
• Cesium Radioisotopes (therapeutic use)
• Cobalt Radioisotopes (therapeutic use)
• Electrons (therapeutic use)
• Exostoses (radiotherapy)
• Female
• Foot Diseases (radiotherapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Particle Accelerators
• Radioisotope Teletherapy (methods)
• Radiotherapy Dosage
• Remission Induction