Fracture of the heel bone
The heel bone can sometimes fracture as a result of trauma or due to repeated, excessive pulling forces from certain muscles. The foot will then need to be put in a plaster cast or, in some cases, require surgery. The calcaneus absorbs a great deal of force during the gait cycle; however, symptoms may still persist following these treatments. The position of the foot or the function of the muscles may also change, which can cause problems elsewhere in the foot. The pain is usually felt on the underside of the heel bone and is often present when weight-bearing. You may also experience pain and/or stiffness in the ankle joint. If you have residual symptoms following treatment with a plaster cast or surgery, it is advisable to contact a podiatrist.
A treatment
Treatment depends on the residual symptoms and may involve relieving pressure on the painful area of the heel bone. During the examination, the podiatrist checks for any changes in the joint’s alignment and/or an abnormal gait pattern. If this is the case, corrective podiatric insoles are made to stabilise the ankle joint.
The result
The unfortunate result is that whilst the pain is reduced, persistent symptoms often remain.
