Treatment of heel spurs with x-rays. X-ray treatment of joints Recovery and care

A fairly important role in the functioning of the human musculoskeletal system is given to the fascia - connective tissue, a membrane that forms cases for different muscles.

There are many groups of fascia in the body, such as the plantar fascia. It is characterized by a disease called plantar fasciitis (heel spur). It is especially familiar to people over 40 years of age (a child rarely suffers from a similar problem). The disease manifests itself in the form of severe pain in the heel bone. Over time, a sick person, if treatment is not received in a timely manner, loses his ability to work due to limited movements.

X-ray therapy for heel spurs is one of the common treatment methods.

The method of performing the candling procedure depends on the type of suspected pathology. There are only two methods, in any of which the heel spur is visible on an x-ray:

supine position - the patient bends his legs at the knee joints and rests his feet on the table;
load – the patient stands on one leg and rests his entire weight on the limb being examined.

The method of conducting the candling procedure is chosen by the doctor. X-ray of a heel spur does not require special preparation. You just need to remove all metallic foreign objects that can negatively affect the quality of the image.

What does a heel spur look like on an x-ray? It is defined as a bony growth on the surface of the largest bone of the calcaneus, the talus, usually in the area of the tuberosity. It increases due to flat feet and excessive physical activity.

A heel spur is immediately visible on an x-ray.

Do not confuse X-ray therapy with X-ray diagnostic methods

Fluoroscopy, like radiography, refers to x-ray diagnostics. This area of medicine is based on the use of the beneficial properties of x-rays, allowing them to pass through the thick tissues of the human body. During life, a doctor can see what is incomprehensible to the ordinary eye - morphological and functional processes in structures and organs. It is not for nothing that such diagnostic methods are called “vital autopsy without a knife.”

X-ray therapy, in turn, refers to physiotherapeutic treatment options, and not to diagnostic measures. The principle of operation is based on irradiation of the affected area with rays. Most often it is prescribed in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs.

X-ray therapy is performed using special equipment.

What is the difference between radiography and another diagnostic method - fluoroscopy?

During an X-ray examination, the image is projected onto paper or film media, and in new equipment - onto a film cassette or matrix media. The radiation gradually weakens as it penetrates body tissues that have different structures. As a result, the irradiation beam is scattered and an image with varying degrees of intensity is projected onto the final carrier. This averaged image, which is the sum of the shadows of all structures, through which the X-ray had to “break through”. An x-ray is a flat image of a three-dimensional object, so this type of diagnosis is most often carried out in 2 projections. This is the only way the doctor can accurately determine the location of the pathology.

The fluoroscopic image is transferred to a fluorescent screen. This is a kind of cardboard sheet on which a fluorescent substance is applied. Today, equipment whose operating principle is based on X-ray television transmission has become increasingly widespread. During such an examination, the rays are transmitted to an X-ray image intensifier. The finished image is redirected to the monitor display. This image can then be processed and printed. One of these methods is used in medical institutions for diagnosis by comparing the image with the norms for a bone fracture, concussion and other pathologies.

What is the therapeutic effect of this type of radiotherapy?

This treatment method has a positive effect on the damaged heel, namely:

relieves inflammation;
removes pain;
kills affected cells;
helps cells renew themselves.

It is worth mentioning right away that treatment of heel spurs with radiotherapy cannot completely eliminate the bone growth.

According to statistics, it was possible to remove the problem only in some cases; in the early stages of the lesion, a small growth was destroyed under the force of irradiation.

However, therapy still cannot be called useless. It eliminates inflammation and pain, which is the first step towards healing. Moreover, the growth does not harm the human body in any way. Unpleasant feelings during movement are caused by something else: the spur, when exposed to the surface, infringes on the connective tissue. This leads to pain, which is treated with x-rays.

If the growth has been growing on the body for too long, then with increased stress on the legs, choosing shoes that are the wrong size, using heels or insufficiently thick soles, the inflammation may return again. It is possible that in such a situation you will again need to sign up for a radiotherapy procedure. If the doctor decides that using this method again will not help, you will need to resort to surgery to remove the growth.

X-ray therapy is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease.

It is difficult to talk about the effectiveness of the method. Most doctors claim that shock wave therapy is a more effective treatment for heel spurs than radiation, since the cost of this procedure is higher and there is a large list of contraindications.

X-ray therapy techniques

A heel spur on an x-ray appears as a hook-shaped or sand-shaped formation in the posterior or lower surface of the tubercle. It is these characteristic signs that help distinguish a spur from gout, arthritis and a number of other diseases.

The general essence of radiotherapy is the use of radiation for medical purposes. In practice, beam strengths range from 10 to 250 kilovolts. Also, the techniques are divided into two types, depending on the type of irradiation:

The radiotherapy technique is chosen by the doctor after collecting an anamnesis and conducting diagnostics.

Short throw

With this treatment option, the amount of force used is no more than 60 kilovolts. This form of radiation is prescribed for the treatment of malignant or benign neoplasms, as well as other growths in the human body that are located relatively shallow from the skin surface (5-7 centimeters). A close focus lens is used.

Long focal length

The situation is similar, but the penetration depth of the X-ray beam is in the range of 30-60 centimeters, and the energy is 60-250 kilovolts.

Two types of X-ray tubes are used, differing in the strength of the X-ray beam. The treatment method and the effect of exposure are based on suppressing the increase in the size of the affected cells, as well as activating the destructive processes of these same structures. The mechanism of therapy is due to the “absorption” of rays by certain tissues (especially in the area of the disease).

The results of X-ray exposure will depend on:

Bodies.
Conditions of the patient's body.
Doses.
Frequencies.
Stages of the disease.
Severity of common symptoms of heel spurs.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

painlessness;
the procedure does not cause inconvenience to the patient;
almost no side effects;
the total duration of one session is ten minutes, the course of treatment is short;
usually only ten procedures are enough to obtain the required result;
There are practically no contraindications;
anti-inflammatory effect;
X-ray therapy courses do not imply hospitalization of the patient in a hospital;
analgesic effect;
low cost.

Flaws:

low effectiveness, especially in comparison with shock wave therapy;
mild effect - radiotherapy does not remove the spur, but only relieves symptoms.

X-ray therapy has many advantages, but is inferior in effectiveness to ultrasound therapy.

Description of the procedure

The duration of one session is from 8 to 10 minutes. The doctor individually determines how many sessions are required. The characteristics of the patient and the size of the growth are taken into account.

An axial X-ray beam is aimed at the heel bone (also covering the sides), instantly covering the nerve endings and eliminating pain. They are the main problem, which is why radiation makes life much easier for patients. There is no need to place the patient on the couch.

X-ray therapy of heel spurs is one of the modern methods of treatment; in fact, the method is a type of radiation therapy (radiology) and is used in oncological practice. The ability of ionizing waves to have a detrimental effect on atypical cells has also found its application in the destruction of exostose tissue (bone outgrowths). And the successful localization of the heel bone, located far from organs and life support systems, made the technology practically harmless.

It is known that body cells under normal conditions have very different sensitivity to X-rays. Pathological tissues with increased metabolism, accelerated growth and reproduction of cellular elements show a higher sensitivity to ionizing influence than healthy ones located nearby. When exposed to low doses of radiation, pathogenic tissues lose their ability to reproduce and die, and the growth of the osteophyte stops.

X-ray therapy is based on selective suppression or complete destruction of pathological cells.

The result of the therapeutic effect is the blocking of nerve receptors in the periosteum area and the cessation of pain. Against the background of local exposure, blood circulation improves, as capillaries expand and vascular permeability is normalized, and trophism is gradually restored. New, healthy cells begin to appear to replace dead tissue.

For the treatment of inflammatory processes, the minimum wave strength is selected

When treating illnesses of non-oncological etiology, the radiation dose is selected individually, but does not exceed 75-80 kV, which is an extremely low level of radiation exposure. When treating heel fasciitis, this frequency of radiological waves turns out to be very effective and relieves pain in 80% of patients. Moreover, every third person experiences a noticeable improvement in their condition after just 3 procedures.

The positive effect of therapy lasts for several months. If the pathology recurs, a second course is prescribed, but only if the previous procedures brought relief.

Advantages and disadvantages

Often, patients suffering from heel spurs refuse X-ray therapy, believing that during the procedure they are receiving radiation that is hazardous to their health. Of course, minimal radiation is present, otherwise there would be no therapeutic effect. But it is so small that it poses absolutely no threat to health. Thus, the procedure has practically no disadvantages.

The list of advantages of beam waves includes the following provisions:

X-ray therapy does not require the patient to be in the hospital and limit his ability to work;
the treatment is completely painless and does not take much time;
to get a lasting result, it is enough to take a course of 8-10 sessions;
In addition to the analgesic effect, irradiation reduces inflammation and accelerates tissue repair:
the procedure helps avoid surgery.

X-ray therapy for heel spurs is painless and performed strictly locally

Speaking about the advantages of the procedure, one cannot help but note the clearly directed effect of ionizing radiation, which completely eliminates the adverse effect on other organs and systems.

Application methods

X-ray radiation has a fairly wide range. For therapeutic purposes, waves with a length of 20 to 300 kV are used. Depending on the type of disease, two treatment methods are used:

Long-focus therapy (voltage 60-300 kV). It is carried out from a distance of 30-60 cm from the surface of the skin. The waves penetrate the cells 6 cm and deeper, reaching bone tissue.
Short-focus exposure (voltage 20-60 kV). The close-focus lens is placed 7 cm above the site of the lesion, while the depth of entry of the rays does not exceed 5 cm. The therapeutic effect is on the skin, ligaments and muscle fibers.

The severity of the spur plays a major role in determining the optimal method of x-ray irradiation

The choice of technique depends on the patient’s age, the presence of concomitant diseases, the degree of deformation of the periosteum and the severity of the proliferation of exostoses.

How does the procedure work?

Sessions are conducted on an outpatient basis. The patient arrives at the radiation therapy room at the appointed time and leaves the medical facility 30 minutes later. The event does not require special preparation and is performed in comfortable conditions.

The radiologist asks the patient to take a horizontal position and fix the leg on a special bolster. A radiation source is brought to the heel at a selected distance and voltage is applied.

In most cases, the procedure takes about 10 minutes. It is completely painless and does not cause any discomfort.

The number of sessions and their frequency are selected by the doctor. As usual, the patient is recommended to visit the X-ray room at least 10 times, coming for treatment every 3 days.

If the symptoms of the disease disappear, radiotherapy should not be interrupted. You must complete the entire assigned course. Only in this case the therapeutic effect will be stable and long-lasting.

Contraindications

Despite the relative harmlessness of the procedure, there are a number of limitations that you need to be aware of.

X-ray therapy is not performed for the following pathological conditions of the body:

blood diseases;
radiation injury;
the presence of pronounced infectious and inflammatory processes;
pneumonia;
sepsis;
peptic ulcer during exacerbation;
damage to the liver, kidneys, myocardium in the stage of decompensation.

Radiotherapy is not prescribed to women at any stage of pregnancy or breastfeeding. Even a small dose of radiation can negatively affect the body of the mother and child.

Side effects from treatment are most often minimal. If the patient complains of nausea, general weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, and the appearance of subcutaneous hemorrhages in the area of the sole, this indicates an incorrectly selected procedure. Therefore, you should visit the doctor again to prescribe an adjusted radiation regimen.

Answers on questions

Radiotherapy of the plantar fascia has generated a lot of interest and many questions.

Which doctor should I contact to prescribe treatment?

If you are worried about pain in the heels, you need to visit a traumatologist or orthopedist. After collecting the analysis, examination and laboratory examination, the doctor will decide on the advisability of using radiation waves. Usually, medication and physiotherapeutic treatment of the disease are first used. If all methods of therapy are unsuccessful, before consulting a surgeon to decide on surgery, specialists prescribe a course of radiotherapy.

The X-ray therapy process takes place under the strict supervision of a physician.

Is radiation dangerous?

Any radiation adversely affects the body. To reduce the negative impact to a minimum, the patient is carefully examined, the presence of contraindications is identified, and the location and size of the bone growth is clarified. Based on the data obtained during a comprehensive examination, the doctor selects the optimal treatment regimen, where the wave intensity does not exceed 80 kV. This is a completely safe indicator that does not harm human health.

How much does X-ray therapy cost and where is it performed?

The price for heel spur irradiation depends on the region of the country and the status of the clinic. On average in the Russian Federation, one session costs from 1,000 to 9,000 rubles. The highest rates are offered by regional medical centers equipped with modern equipment and employing highly qualified specialists. In offices at city hospitals and clinics, the cost of the service is much lower, but the equipment and staff training may be worse.

What is the opinion of those who have undergone the procedure?

It should be noted that reviews of x-ray treatment are quite contradictory. Many patients note a good therapeutic effect after 3-4 procedures; other people did not benefit from a course of 10 sessions. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the chosen treatment regimen. In most cases, patients note the positive effects of X-rays: pain and inflammation go away, fasciitis does not bother them for many years.

Conclusion

When prescribing radiotherapy for a heel spur, you should not refuse the procedure. Wave irradiation is optimal for treating local inflammatory processes and allows you to forget about the disease for many years.

Heel spurs can be painless and asymptomatic. A person may not be aware of the presence of a heel spur. When symptoms appear, the patient cannot be envied. The treatment is long, but I want to get rid of the pain as quickly as possible. There is no universal method in medicine today. Doctors don’t even say exactly why it occurs; there are several factors involved. Some patients use traditional methods, others turn to professionals who recommend x-ray therapy. What does this procedure involve, is it suitable for everyone suffering from heel spurs?

Medicine has made great progress and uses various treatment methods. X-rays began to be used in treatment. The dosage is regulated and does not cause harm to the body. However, stereotypes prevent people from seeking x-ray therapy. Patients believe that X-rays are irradiating, threatening radiation sickness. It's a delusion.

X-ray therapy involves directing an X-ray beam of the required power to the heel area. Ionizing radiation affects damaged cells; strong healthy cells are not sensitive to radiation. Weak, unhealthy cells cannot withstand ionization. X-ray exposure has an anti-inflammatory effect and relieves pain. X-ray therapy is often encountered in surgical practice. No one gets radiation sickness from low doses.

How is the procedure prescribed?

During X-ray therapy, a beam of ionizing rays is directed into the heel or Achilles tendon. One session is not enough. The dose and number of sessions are prescribed by the doctor; consultation with a professional is required. The minimum radiation dose for effective treatment is selected individually, depending on the severity of the disease and symptoms.

Duration of radiotherapy

The course of radiotherapy lasts 3-5 weeks. The patient attends X-ray therapy once every two days for a month. This procedure does not take much time. The duration of the session is about 10 minutes (7-9), the time is determined individually. Prescribed from 6 sessions. Less is ineffective and will not affect the progress of recovery.

X-ray therapy for heel spurs: short-distance

Short distance therapy is prescribed when resorption of the surrounding ligaments is required. The procedure is carried out from a short distance - 6-7 cm from the heel. The downside of the therapy is that it does not affect salt deposits (thorn). Radiation does not affect bone formation. Short-focus beams penetrate to a shallow depth and are therefore ineffective.

Treatment with remote radiotherapy

It would take a lot of pressure on the foot to break the bone spine. We need more powerful radiation. The voltage on the tube reaches 250 kV. The radiation is produced from 30-50 cm from the heel or Achilles tendon. The therapy helps in the treatment of salt deposits in the heel - they will resolve. Dose and proper technique are important. This type of X-ray therapy is done with caution, carefully selecting the radiation power and time of therapy. If the rules are taken into account, recovery occurs in the near future, the heel spur no longer bothers the patient. Side effects are rare.

Is X-ray therapy effective in treating heel spurs?

According to professionals in the field of X-ray therapy, improvement in the condition of patients after X-ray therapy treatment occurs in 80-90% of cases. This is a high figure. If the patient chooses surgery, the likelihood of improvement is lower. Complications are possible after surgery. Not all patients are allowed to undergo anesthesia. X-ray therapy does not require anesthesia.

People who have turned to X-ray therapy are satisfied with the results obtained. They are not bothered by pain and discomfort, they do not have to use folk remedies, visit doctors, or take pills.

Over time, the pain may return, and radiotherapy is re-prescribed. An x-ray is taken, then a doctor is visited who prescribes the dosage of radiation.

Important! After the last radiotherapy, at least six months should pass.

Advantages of X-ray therapy

Heel spurs require quality treatment to ensure that the disease does not reoccur. Is this therapy suitable? What are its advantages?

The procedure is painless.
In old age, surgery is poorly tolerated; radiotherapy is a good option for treating heel spurs.
Speed of the procedure (no longer than 10 minutes).
More effective than other methods.
No hospitalization required. It is enough to come to the hospital or medical center at a convenient time. You can take time off work for a while, the procedure is fleeting.

The negative side of X-ray therapy is the psychological factor. After procedures, people wonder whether the body is at risk. The complete safety of X-ray therapy has not been proven. It will be necessary to monitor patients for several years. Therefore, safety is conditional.

Contraindications

X-ray therapy has contraindications, which are discussed individually with your doctor. Relative contraindication is age under 40 years. More often, heel spurs occur after 35-40 years. If it occurs before age 40, it is better to choose another treatment method.

There are a number of contraindications for which X-ray therapy is strictly prohibited. Serious contraindications include:

low weight (ratio calculated),
the person suffered from radiation sickness or is suffering now,
pregnancy (there is a high probability of miscarriage or development of pathologies in the fetus),
general unsatisfactory condition,
heart disease, other organs (discussed in consultation with a doctor),
anemia, other blood diseases.

Before X-ray therapy, the doctor prescribes a complete examination to the patient, identifying diseases. Based on the results of examinations and tests, the doctor authorizes therapy, selects safe radiation and the number of sessions.

X-ray therapy has recently become used in the treatment of heel spurs. This is a disease that is difficult to treat. And patients want a speedy recovery. Not everyone agrees to x-ray therapy, fearing negative consequences. Those who agreed are satisfied with the result - the thorn does not interfere with walking, does not hurt, does not break. You can return to normal life.

Prevention

To avoid the inconvenience caused by heel spurs, take care of prevention in advance. Then it will not affect you, saving nerves, health, time and money. What to do for prevention?

Proper nutrition. A balanced diet reduces the likelihood of heel spurs. It is important that the body mass index is within the normal range. Being overweight puts a person at risk automatically. Activity and nutrition are the main components of prevention.
Shoes. Wear comfortable shoes, without high heels or flat soles. A small heel is optimal.
Flat feet. If you have flat feet, you need to stretch and massage your feet. Plus orthopedic insoles. People with flat feet are at risk. Now many people have flat feet, but there is no need to neglect it.
Timely treatment of diseases of the spine and joints. Visit your doctors regularly and follow their recommendations. A banal curvature of the spine needs to be observed, exercises done, and other exercises.

X-ray therapy is not often prescribed by rheumatologists and surgeons, so patients do not understand the effect of this therapy on the foot and on the body in general. Many people are afraid of X-ray therapy and endure discomfort in their feet until the pain becomes unbearable. This is the wrong approach. Contact your doctor and he will select a treatment option. Nobody forces you to undergo radiotherapy or surgery. The right to choose remains with the patient.

The doctor will tell the patient about all aspects of the procedure used. The higher the degree of the disease, the more difficult and longer it takes to treat. In the first stages they are almost not expressed, so a comprehensive examination is necessary once a year to identify the disease.

X-ray therapy is one of the methods of radiation therapy, in which energy from 10 to 250 square meters is used for therapeutic purposes. With increasing voltage, the radiation energy increases and, at the same time, its penetrating ability in tissues increases from several millimeters to 8-10 cm.

Modern industry produces two types of x-ray therapy devices. Some for short-focus X-ray therapy with radiation energy from 10 to 60 kV for irradiation from short distances (up to 6-7.5 cm) of superficially located pathological processes of the skin and mucous membrane. Others for deep X-ray therapy with radiation energy from 100 to 250 kV for irradiation of deep pathological foci from a distance of 30 to 60 cm. X-ray radiation arising in an X-ray tube is always inhomogeneous in its energy. To obtain a more or less uniform beam, filters are used that absorb soft rays. For low-energy radiation, filters made of light metals (aluminum, brass 0.5-1 - 3 mm thick) are used. For high-energy radiation (180-200 kV), radiation uniformity is achieved by using filters made of heavy metals (copper 0.5-2 mm thick). To limit and facilitate centration during radiotherapy, cylindrical or rectangular tubes are used, providing the skin-focal distance required for each individual patient. The exit window of the tubes of devices for short-focus X-ray therapy has a diameter of up to 5 cm and for deep X-ray therapy an area of 16-225 cm 2. Short-focus X-ray therapy is successfully used in the treatment of skin cancer, cancer of the upper and lower lip of the I and II stages of the disease, and when the process is more widespread, it is combined with curie therapy or external methods of radiation therapy. Short-focus X-ray therapy in combination with remote methods is used in the treatment of both early and more advanced cases of cancer of the oral mucosa, cervical cancer, and rectal cancer. Short-focus X-ray therapy can be used during surgery in early cases of cancer of the bladder, larynx, and stomach.

Until the 50s of our century, X-ray therapy at voltages from 160 to 250 kV was the only method of remote irradiation of deep-lying pathological processes of both an inflammatory and dystrophic nature, and malignant tumors. For cancer of internal organs, which is characterized by a small dose and requires large doses of radiation (in the range of 6000-7000 rad) for its destruction, X-ray therapy has proven to be ineffective. Somewhat better results can be obtained with X-ray therapy through a lead grid, which allows increasing the focal dose and reducing radiation exposure in normal tissues.

Currently, in the treatment of deep-lying tumors, X-ray therapy has been replaced by remote therapy, using bremsstrahlung and high-energy electron radiation. X-ray therapy can be used in the treatment of radiosensitive tumors (Ewing's sarcoma, lymphogranulomatosis,). Good results are obtained with radiotherapy of acute inflammatory processes, using small single doses of the order of 10-15 rad and a total dose not exceeding 100 rad.

X-ray therapy is a medical discipline that studies the theory and practice of using X-ray radiation for therapeutic purposes. Is a private section of radiation therapy (see).

The use of X-ray therapy began in 1897, but X-ray therapy received its scientific basis only with the development of physics, dosimetry, radiobiology and the accumulation of clinical experience.

There are distant radiotherapy (focus-skin distance 30 cm or more) and close-focus (focus-skin distance does not exceed 7.5 cm). In turn, remote X-ray therapy can be carried out in the form of static irradiation (the X-ray tube and the patient are motionless during irradiation) and moving irradiation (the X-ray tube or the patient is in a state of relative motion).

Numerous forms of static and moving X-ray irradiation are known. Various elements of irradiation conditions, the quality of radiation, the focal-skin distance or swing radius, the number of fields or swing angle, the size, shape and number of fields or irradiation zones, single and total radiation doses, irradiation rhythm, dose rate, etc. can be varied.

X-ray radiation generated in X-ray tubes using high-voltage electrical devices (see X-ray machines), when exposed to tissues and organs of the human body, causes suppression of the functions of individual cells, inhibition of their growth, and in some cases, their destruction. These phenomena turn out to be a consequence of absorption and scattering - the primary physical processes of interaction of X-ray radiation with the biological environment (see diagram).

Scheme of interaction of ionizing radiation with matter (according to Ruderman and Weinberg).

The primary physical ones are followed by physicochemical and biochemical processes that determine the development of the therapeutic effect. A feature of X-ray radiation is its continuous energy spectrum, in which there are radiation quanta with any energy, up to the maximum value corresponding to the highest generation voltage. The latter currently in radiotherapy usually does not exceed 250 square meters.

The energy spectrum of the working radiation beam is influenced by the features and design of the X-ray therapy device, the type of supply electric current, the design and materials of the X-ray therapy tube, as well as subsequent filtration.

For rational X-ray therapy, it is important to correctly use the basic physical features of the propagation of X-ray radiation: the law of inverse proportionality to the square of the distance and the pattern of absorption of radiation in matter. The latter is characterized by a linear attenuation coefficient and depends on the chemical composition of the substance, its density, and also on the radiation energy. Each component of the energy spectrum changes differently when interacting with a given substance. Therefore, along with the weakening of the X-ray beam, its qualitative composition also changes. Assessment of the quality (penetration ability) of the working beam of X-ray radiation used in remote X-ray therapy is carried out using a half-attenuation layer (D) and is expressed in millimeters of the thickness of the layer of the retaining substance (lead, copper, aluminum, etc.).

In close-focus radiotherapy using soft radiation, this quality assessment is made by determining the half-dose layer (DFL) and is expressed in millimeters of thickness of the tissue layer in which the radiation propagates.

The most important physical factor influencing the value of absorbed doses during radiotherapy is scattered radiation. The contribution of scattered radiation depends on the irradiation conditions - the size of the surface field, the focus-skin distance, and the radiation energy.

The therapeutic effect of radiotherapy is associated with the absorbed dose of radiation in the area of the pathological focus. The magnitude of the optimal absorbed dose, its fragmentation, and the rhythm of irradiation are determined in each case by the nature of the pathological process. The degree of concomitant reactions of healthy tissues and organs surrounding the pathological focus, as well as reactions of the whole organism, is influenced by the magnitude of integral doses in these individual anatomical structures and in the entire body of the patient.

The effects of X-ray therapy are not clear for different histological structures, which is due to the different sensitivity of the latter to ionizing radiation (see Radiobiology).

However, the sensitivity of irradiated tissues in the human body also depends on a number of other numerous factors - age, gender, body temperature and the irradiated area, the localization of the latter, its hydrophilicity, blood supply, oxygen saturation, its functional activity, the intensity of metabolic processes, and many others. etc., including the initial state, as well as the reactivity of the body. The biological effects of radiotherapy are influenced by the nature of the radiation dose distribution over time. Fractional irradiation is less damaging than single irradiation. In this case, the differential sensitivity of tissues and the so-called therapeutic interval are better revealed - the difference in the sensitivity of normal and pathological histostructures.

X-ray therapy can cause various effects. Depending on the magnitude of the absorbed dose of radiation, the rhythm of irradiation, the object of influence, the nature and stage of the disease and, finally, the reactivity of the patient’s body, anti-inflammatory, desensitizing, destructive, analgesic and other effects may occur.

Although the general principles of the biological action of ionizing radiation have been studied quite well, a number of links in this complex process (the interaction of radiation with pathologically altered tissues) still remain unclear. In particular, changes in the nature of cellular reactions, intermediate metabolism, production of immune bodies, connective tissue reactivity, and many others require further study. etc.

Recently, with the deepening of knowledge about the biological effects of ionizing radiation, there has been a desire to limit the use of radiotherapy to oncological practice. For non-tumor diseases, X-ray therapy is recommended only in the early stages of acute inflammatory diseases and in cases where there are no other equivalent treatments or when the latter are ineffective in people over 40 years of age. For non-tumor diseases in children, radiotherapy should not be used.

X-ray therapy should be used only if there are scientifically substantiated indications for such treatment and only in patients with an impeccably proven disease. “The rarest exception to this rule can be only some rapidly growing tumors of the mediastinum, when radiotherapy should be used as the only forced emergency method of decompression on the vital organs of the thoracic cavity” (S. A. Reinberg).

When prescribing radiotherapy, it is necessary to clearly formulate, based on clinical data, the problem that radiotherapy should solve. Delivered
the task determines the methodology, technique of radiotherapy, and dose levels. The choice of X-ray radiation over other types of ionizing radiation must be justified. The latter is done by analyzing the depth of the pathological focus, dose fields created by radiation of different energies under different irradiation options. Depending on the nature, shape, size, location and stage of the pathological process, as well as on the condition of the surrounding tissues and the general condition of the body, a plan for radiotherapy is drawn up.

The absorbed doses of radiation in the focus for a procedure, session, the entire course of treatment, as well as the corresponding permissible surface doses of radiation are calculated, the sizes, number and location of fields or zones of irradiation are determined, the conditions for centering and forming the radiation beam, the rhythm of irradiation, etc.

A radiotherapy session should be preceded by: 1) precise localization and determination of the size of the pathological formation and drawing its projection onto the skin; 2) setting up an X-ray machine for irradiating a given patient; 3) centering of the radiation beam. During a radiotherapy session, it is necessary to continuously monitor the correct execution of the given radiation program by direct visual observation or using special devices.

The general requirement of radiation therapy is to obtain a positive result with minimal damage to healthy tissue surrounding the pathological focus.

The cause of many radiation injuries in the form of trophic ulcers, tissue atrophy, etc. (see Radiation damage), sometimes occurring during radiotherapy, is ignoring this requirement.

In connection with the expansion of the possibilities of using high-energy radiation sources, X-ray therapy is used mainly in cases where the pathological focus is relatively shallow and when it is possible to use small doses of radiation.

X-ray therapy is used independently or as an element of combined (with surgery), complex (with chemotherapy) or combined (with other types of radiation) treatment (see Radiation therapy). As a rule, it should be supplemented by a number of concomitant therapeutic measures (blood transfusions, vitamin therapy, medication, hormonal treatment, etc.).

External radiotherapy is indicated for round cell sarcomas, especially lymphosarcoma, lymphoepithelial and reticuloendothelial tumors, early stages of vocal cord cancer; close-focus radiotherapy - for skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the mucous membranes, primary malignant melanomas. The optimal total absorbed dose, depending on the nature and location of the tumors, as well as a number of other factors, can range from 3000 to 12,000 rad. Single absorbed doses are often 150-200 rad. With close-focus X-ray therapy they are approximately twice as high. The rhythm of irradiation may vary depending on the nature of the tumor.

When radiotherapy of non-tumor diseases, single doses in the lesion should not exceed 25-80 rad, and the intervals between irradiations should not exceed 3-7 days. A more acute inflammatory process requires smaller single and total doses and longer intervals between irradiations. Sometimes 1-2 irradiations are enough to provide a resolving effect or stimulate abscess formation. In subacute and chronic processes, large doses and slightly shortened intervals between irradiations are used. The total absorbed dose and the number of radiation sessions are determined by the course of the disease. More often 4-6 irradiations are performed.

The body's reaction (see Radiation sickness) during conventional x-ray therapy, as a rule, is more pronounced than when exposed to higher energy radiation. Sometimes these radiation reactions become a serious complication requiring special treatment measures. The severity of reactions often serves as a criterion when assessing the advantages or disadvantages of a particular radiotherapy option.

Try calling hospitals. There are no x-ray therapy units in clinics.

Wearing insoles for heel spurs reduces injury to soft tissue in the painful area of the heel and is convenient to use with any shoes. After using correctly and high-quality insoles, the need for taking hormonal medications or using shock wave therapy for heel spurs usually disappears completely.

Treatment of heel spurs with radiotherapy

X-ray therapy for heel spurs is performed on an outpatient basis and is absolutely painless. This procedure has no contraindications and is aimed at blocking nerve endings, which leads to a reduction in pain. A low-dose x-ray beam is directed at the spur, which is clearly recorded in the place of the heel where the spur is located. The procedure for treating heel spurs with radiotherapy lasts only ten minutes. The spur itself does not disappear after radiotherapy, but the pain ceases to torment the patient. Usually ten sessions are enough.

Another folk remedy is a compress of grated onions. Grate one small head of onion, place the mixture in a plastic bag and place your foot in it. On top, you need to tie the bag with onions to your leg with something warm, preferably a down scarf, so that the warming process can begin. The compress is done at night; in the morning the foot is not washed, but simply wiped with a handkerchief. The procedure must be done 2-3 times.

A specialist from a paid clinic or your attending physician will tell you how to treat heel spurs with the help of medications, and folk remedies for the disease are presented below. The specialist will also recommend a set of procedures aimed at treatment, such as mud applications or mineral baths, and the symptoms of heel spurs will go away. An ultrasound and x-ray will help determine how to cure a heel spur so as not to lead to surgery.

Pronounced analgesic, desensitizing and anti-inflammatory effects.

X-rays are directed at the heel bone, which immediately blocks the nerve endings and reduces pain. Since the main symptom of this disease is pain, exposure to X-rays significantly facilitates movement for patients and improves quality of life.

Analgesic effect. Irradiation reduces pain sensitivity and relieves pain.

The effectiveness of the method in the treatment of heel spurs

In general, X-ray therapy refers to irradiation methods that use X-ray radiation (energy from 10 to 250 kW) for therapeutic purposes. Moreover, two types of X-ray radiation are used:

short irradiation sessions - one procedure requires only 10 minutes

With a correctly selected irradiation regimen and the absence of contraindications to treatment, side effects do not develop.

Treatment using X-rays is becoming popular again due to the advent of modern innovative equipment, with which you can accurately calculate and dose the radiation dose to the patient.

Advantages and disadvantages of X-ray therapy

When choosing medications for treatment, be sure to consult a doctor and not self-medicate.

In recent years, preference has been given to the method of treating heel spurs with ultrasound. During the procedure, the most painful areas on the heel are heated, but not higher than two degrees from the body’s natural temperature. This allows you to speed up metabolic processes and regenerate damaged tissue. Ultrasound improves the process of blood microcirculation, has an antispasmodic and absorbable effect.
A folk remedy or medicine made from chicken eggs and lard also helps with heel spurs. 100g of lard must be poured with 100g of vinegar essence, then add 1 chicken egg with shell and mix well. Next, the medicine should be left to brew in a dark place for 10 days, and it should be stirred periodically. After steaming the sore leg, you need to place a tampon soaked in the infused medicine for 5-6 hours on the sore spot. If a burning sensation occurs, it is recommended to stop treatment.
They try to use surgery very rarely as a method of getting rid of heel spurs, since it does not eliminate the causes of the disease and thus cannot give complete confidence in a complete cure. Even if you do not currently have this disease, you should know everything about it. This knowledge is necessary in order to subsequently take quick measures on how to cure the unpleasant sensation in the heel.
The course does not require hospitalization.

But you need to know that X-ray treatment is not a panacea for treating heel spurs. It is complete unloading of the foot and combination with other treatment methods that will lead to relief of the condition. If you do not remove the main causes of the disease (uncomfortable narrow shoes, high heels, excess weight, and so on), then you will have to return to the need for treatment again and again.

Desensitizing effect. Signs of increased tissue sensitivity are eliminated.

Contraindications

short-focus therapy, in which the energy used does not exceed 60 square meters. This type of radiotherapy is used to treat tumors, as well as other growths of body tissue located shallow from the surface of the skin (6-7 cm);

high efficiency, good analgesic effect

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X-ray treatment

Modern scientific research and practical experience in clinics have shown that low-dose radiotherapy has a very high therapeutic effect. According to some data, elimination or significant reduction of pain from heel spurs is observed in 70-90% of cases. About a third of patients note an improvement in their condition after 3-4 sessions.

X-ray therapy uses a narrowly directed beam of ionizing radiation. It is well known that such radiation destroys cancer cells and stops the growth of benign tumors. But few people know that radiation is also successfully used to treat many non-tumor diseases, including in surgery. The idea is to use low doses of radiation that only affect diseased tissue. Healthy tissue is less sensitive and is not destroyed as a result of such exposure. It has been proven that radiation exposure has a high anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
Video about treatment of spurs:

Excellent results are observed when treating heel spurs with medical bile, using a purified product. The patient can use medical bile for heel spurs even at home. It is easily available in any pharmacies and is available without a doctor's prescription. The procedure is carried out at night in the form of applying a lotion to the area of the sore heel. A piece of cotton cloth or gauze is moistened with bile and placed on the heel, then covered with polyethylene on top and secured with a tubular bandage of the appropriate size. For better warming up, it is recommended to wear a sock on your foot. In the morning, the lotion must be removed and the heel wiped with boric alcohol or lotion; it is better not to wash it. It is recommended to use medical bile in treatment for at least 20 procedures. It is not advisable to take a break from treatment. The use of medical bile for heel spurs helps to completely get rid of the disease, provided that the full course of treatment is completed.

Birch bark is an excellent folk remedy for heel spurs.

Effect of X-ray therapy
All types of treatment can be divided into three groups: folk remedies, drug therapy and other types of treatment. It is worth considering each of the groups.
If necessary or exacerbation of the disease, X-ray treatment can be repeated after 2-3 months. The method itself is inferior in effectiveness to shock wave therapy, and this is its disadvantage. But, on the other hand, this is an extreme measure, which is resorted to in cases where all other methods of treatment have not had the desired effect. In practice, it turns out that an orthopedic doctor can resort to such treatment before prescribing surgical intervention.
X-ray therapy cannot be used only during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In other cases, the method has no contraindications.

Treatment of heel spurs with X-rays is carried out as part of complex therapy and in most cases gives a positive effect. In patients, after several sessions, signs of inflammation are relieved, bone growths are destroyed, and pain at the site of soft tissue injury decreases and then completely disappears.

Long-focal therapy, when the penetration depth of the rays is from 30 to 60 cm, and the length of the rays is from 60 to 250 sq.

How does the treatment work?

Dear readers! Our articles talk about typical treatment methods, but each case is unique. Do not self-medicate. On our website we have a rating of doctors who can help treat heel spurs.

The use of radiotherapy in the treatment of heel spurs is possible due to the fact that the inflamed tissues of the foot are easily accessible for targeted treatment. X-rays are directed to the sore spot on the side of the sole, back of the foot or Achilles tendon.

Carrying out the procedure

Victoria Andriadi

We will describe in detail the main groups of medications for the treatment of heel spurs:

You need to twist a flagellum from birch bark, wrap it in a bandage and place it in your shoes in the form of a pretzel. The heel should fit exactly into the resulting hole, which will significantly reduce the load on the inflamed area.

To treat heel spurs with folk remedies, they use ordinary natural products that can be found at home or bought in a store.

Advantages of the method

Feedback on radiotherapy for heel spurs is always positive. And in the course of research, it was proven that exposure to small doses of X-ray rays does not cause any harm to the body and does not cause side effects.
The procedure is absolutely painless and does not cause discomfort to the patient.
Physiotherapy, which is carried out during the treatment of heel spurs, is very useful and gives good results. Before the advent of the shock wave treatment method, the X-ray method was almost the only method that gave good results in conservative treatment.
Depending on the depth of exposure to the rays, two types of X-ray tubes are used. The mechanism of action and the effect of therapy are based on the suppression of cell growth processes, as well as the processes of destruction (destruction) of some cells. These processes are caused by the absorption of rays by certain tissues (in the area of the pathology).
The main and fundamental disadvantage of the method is its potential health risk due to the harmful effects of ionizing radiation on the human body. The safety of radiotherapy for heel spurs can hardly be considered conclusively proven, since this requires extensive long-term observation of patients. Another important drawback is the lack of standard treatment protocols depending on the clinical picture of the disease and other factors. This means that treatment is prescribed subjectively, which does not guarantee the choice of the most effective and at the same time safe irradiation regimen.
The success of treatment is assessed after several months, since the effects of radiation are observed even after completion of the entire course.

The technique uses radiation generated at an X-ray tube voltage of 10 to 250 kV. The choice of a specific method of exposure (short-distance or deep distance therapy), dose and number of sessions should be selected strictly individually. The strategy and tactics of treatment depend on the timing of the onset of the disease, the degree of damage to the joints and ligaments, and the severity of clinical symptoms. Ideally, the doctor should select the minimum dose of radiation that has a therapeutic effect.

They did it at 132 until recently, VAO. Call.

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Heel spur: treatment, therapy and folk remedies

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The most common drug, Ibufen, improves microcirculation and is used in the form of gels and creams. Flexen (Ketoprofen) is also used after meals in the form of gelatin capsules and Voltaren (Diclofenac) is used in tablet form once a day.

In fact, there are a huge variety of traditional methods of treatment and it is simply impossible to talk about them all. The main thing to remember is that treatment with folk remedies is a long process, and the effect is not visible immediately, but after several weeks.

One of the folk remedies for heel spurs is a curd bandage.

A heel spur is a degenerative-inflammatory disease of the soft tissues of the foot, a bone growth that looks like a wedge or spike, which forms on the sole in the area of the heel bone; it is necessary to treat a heel spur in a timely manner.

The duration of the session is no more than 10 minutes, which reduces the time for the course of treatment.

Short-focus and long-focus therapy are used in the treatment of the disease. Using short-focus exposure, the skin area, as well as adjacent fascia and ligaments, are treated. Using long-focus radiation, bone tissue and the growths on it are irradiated.

Folk remedies for heel spurs

The results of treatment with X-rays depend on the age, general condition of the patient, dose, rhythm of radiation, as well as on the stage of the disease and the severity of clinical symptoms.

It is also worth mentioning possible negative psychological aspects that are associated with an understandable fear of any radiation. If after some time the heel begins to hurt again, repeated radiotherapy is prescribed only if the first course is effective and no less than six months after its completion .

Usually, several radiation sessions are prescribed with intervals between them from 1-2 to several days. On average, the course lasts 3-4 weeks, and one session lasts about 10 minutes.

Topical anti-inflammatory drugs. Treatment of heel spurs with Dimexide (Dimethyl sulfoxide) is extremely popular. This drug penetrates deeply into the site of inflammation through the skin and has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Used in the form of gauze applications soaked in Dimexide solution. The duration of the procedures is 1-2 weeks.

In the treatment of heel spurs, many conservative methods are used. These include several types of therapy, which we will discuss in more detail. Place three tablespoons of fresh cottage cheese on a bandage rolled up in several layers and apply to the sore spot overnight. Carry out the procedure three nights in a row.

The disease is accompanied by acute burning pain when walking or simply resting on the heel. The reasons may be: flat feet (high load on the heel area), age-related bone changes (usually after previous injuries), rheumatism, vascular or neurodystrophic disorders. Spurs are often formed as a result of inflammation of the mucous bursae (achylobursitis) or inflammation of the muscle tissue of the soles (fasciitis).

Therapy for heel spurs

To achieve a therapeutic effect, a course consisting of 10 procedures is usually sufficient.

Shock wave therapy for heel spurs

From the point of view of convenience of exposure, the heel spur is located away from other organs and systems, therefore, short-term irradiation of bone growths does not cause harm to other organs. How to get rid of heel spurs using x-ray treatment?

X-ray therapy for heel spurs

Anti-inflammatory effect. X-rays suppress inflammation well and relieve its symptoms.

Treatment of heel spurs with ultrasound

Relative contraindications to X-ray therapy for spurs include age under 40 years.

Other types of treatment for spurs

We list the advantages of the method. These include:

With short-distance radiotherapy, irradiation is carried out from short distances (6-7.5 cm from the skin surface). This effect is prescribed to resolve inflammation of surrounding tissues, fascia and ligaments. This method of irradiation has virtually no effect on the bone spike itself.

at the district clinic
Hormonal drugs: Hydrocortisone - used in the form of a cream or gel, reduces the lumen of capillaries and vascular permeability. The course does not exceed 14 days; Diprospan (Betamethasone) – used as an injection into the site of inflammation with a dosage of 0.5 ml.
Shock wave therapy for the treatment of heel spurs (HST) - helps reduce pain sensitivity, loosen and reduce ossification, and improve blood circulation. The device installed on the patient’s skin sends impulses to the inflamed area and reduces pain. Treatment of heel spurs with shock wave therapy gives amazing results in a short time.
The use of table salt is also one of the traditional methods of treatment. To relieve pain, it is recommended to walk on the scattered salt with your bare heel for 15 minutes.
When choosing a treatment method for heel spurs, all factors should be taken into account, including the cause of the disease. To determine the best methods to get rid of heel spurs, you need to consult your doctor. Many are afraid to do this because they think that the disease will only have to be treated surgically. However, there are various treatments for this disease. As a rule, it is more effective to treat the disease in a conservative way, that is, with the help of massages, physiotherapeutic procedures, and reducing the load on the inflamed area.

One treatment lasts only 8-10 minutes. The number of necessary procedures is determined only by an orthopedic surgeon and depends on the individual characteristics of the patient and the severity of the disease. On average, the number of sessions is 9-10.

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Where in Moscow can you get X-ray therapy for heel spurs?

Destructive action. Old cells are destroyed and the process of cell renewal begins.

Absolute contraindications for use are:

absolute painlessness

For remote X-ray therapy, more intense radiation is used, generated at a tube voltage of 60 to 250 kV. In this case, irradiation is carried out from a distance of 30 to 60 cm and can reach deep pathological foci, as well as directly affect the bone spine. This type of radiotherapy should be used with extreme caution.

Piramidonovna

Local anesthetics: Novocaine blocks impulses in nerve endings, removes pain.