October 17, 2007

How Experts Erase Heel Pain

The diagnosis of heel pain is best done by looking at the location of the pain0 0where does it hurt?0
Heel pain can occur in two major locations: the back of the heel and the bottom of the heel.
Pain at the back of the heel has three major causes.
Achilles tendonitis is the most common. It is usually the result of injury or overuse. An example is the weekend warrior who decides to go out and run 4 or 5 miles going up hills0 or a person who goes on a long walk in flat shoes, shoes with little or no heel. In both cases, stress is placed on the Achilles tendon- the large thick cord located in the back of the heel.
This tendon- the largest in the body- connects the gastrocnemius (calf) muscle to the back of the heel.
The likelihood of Achilles tendonitis developing is increased if a person has flat feet. Older patients taking corticosteroid medications and people treated wtih quinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin (Cipro) also are at increased risk of Achilles tendonitis and even Achilles tendon rupture.
Haglunds syndrome presents with a bony bump located at the back of the heel. A bursa (small sack of fluid) located near the […]