Haglunds Deformity

Haglunds deformity is an anatomic variation in which the back of the heel bone is larger than normal. Generally there is nothing wrong with that except that pressure from the shoes can be painful.

Most Useful Resources:
Haglunds Deformity (Foot Health Forum)
The Haglunds deformity or ‘Pump Bump’ (Foot Health Friday)
Haglunds in an elite marathon runner (Podiatry Arena)
The Pump Bump (Podiatry Ninja)
Haglunds Deformity (Best Running Shoe)

Plantar Heel Fat Pad Atrophy

The fat pad under the heel protects the foot by providing cushioning and shock absorption. A problem can arise if that fat pad atrophies and it can result in heel pain.

Most Useful Resources:
Heel fat pad atrophy (Foot Health Forum)
heel pad atrophy HELP (Foot Health Forum)
Fat pad atrophy (PodiaPaedia)
Heel Fat Pad Atrophy (Foot Health Friday)
Heel Fat Pad Atrophy Cushioning Pad (FootStore)
Fat Pad Atrophy (Croydon Foot)

Cuboid Syndrome

Cuboid syndrome is a reasonaly common problem affecting the function of the cuboid bone and the joints around it. It is a common casue of lateral foot pain. Manipulation of teh cboid bone is a common treatment.

Most Useful Resources:
Cuboid syndrome (Foot Health Forum)
Mobilisation for cuboid syndrome (Podiatry Arena)
Cuboid syndrome (Podiatry Arena)
Cuboid Syndrome (PodiaPaedia)
Manipulation for Cuboid Syndrome (Podiatry Update)
Woke up with pain on the outer side of my foot, what could it be? (Podiatry Experts)
Could it be plantar fasciitis? (Podiatry Experts)
Cuboid Syndrome (Podiatry TV)

Cancer and the Foot

Cancer can affect the foot either via a primary tumor in a tissue in the foot or as a secondary tumor from a more proximal metastasis.

Most Useful Resources:
Cancer (Foot Health Forum)
Cancer threads (Podiatry Arena)
Cancer metastasis in the foot (Podiatry Arena)
Cancer and the Foot (PodiaPaedia)
The Oncologist (Podiatry Apps)

Calcaneal Apophysitis

Calcaneal Apophysitis is also called Severs Disease and is a common condition of the growth plate at the back of the heel bone in kids.The pain is present at the back and sides of the heel, usually worse after sports activity. As it is a problem with the growth plate, it will come right on its own as the child’s growth in the heel bone stops. It is most commonly treated with a cushioned heel inserts and is a self limiting problem that eventually comes right by itself.

This video from PodChatLive was a good discussion on Calcaneal Apophysitis with an expert in the topic for those who want a deep dive into the topic:

For other videos on Severs disease, see PodiatryTube.

Most Useful Resources on this topic:
Calcaneal Apophysitis (Foot Health Forum)
Calcaneal Apohysitis or Stress fracture (Podiatry Arena)
Calcaneal Apophysitis (Podiatry Arena)
Calcaneal Apophysitis (PodiaPaedia)
Heel Pain in Children (Severs Disease; Calcaneal apophysitis) (ePodiatry)
Severs Disease or Calcaneal Apophysitis? (Croydon Total FootCare)

Baxters Nerve Entrapment

Baxter nerve entrapment is a cause of heel pain with the symptoms often mimicking plantar fasciitis and should be conisdered in any case of heel pain the has a neurological component to it.

Most Useful Resources:
Baxters Nerve Entrapment (PodiaPaedia)
Baxter’s Neuritis (Medial Calcaneal Nerve Neuritis) (Podiatry Arena)
Baxter’s neuropathy secondary to plantar fasciitis (Podiatry Arena)
Baxters Nerve Entrapment (Podiatry TV)
Baxters nerve or plantar fasciitis? (Podiatry Experts)
Baxters Nerve Entrapment (Foot Health Forum)

Foot Problems in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis is primarily a problem of the spine, but the arthritis there can also cause arthritis in the foot and pain in the heel. The involvement of the spine also means the feet are going to be difficult to reach to provide self care for foot problems.

Most Useful Resources:
Ankylosing Spondylitis (PodiaPaedia)
Ankylosing spondylitis (Foot Health Forum)
Heel Pain and Ankylosing Spondilitis ? (Podiatry Experts)
Impaired Gait in Ankylosing Spondylitis (Podiatry Arena)
Tarsal involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (Podiatry Arena)
Ankylosing spondylitis (Podiatry Arena)

Rupture the plantar fascia to treat plantar fasciitis

This is something of a legend that happened in Australia where a footballer with a chronic plantar fasciitis allegedly jumped from a height in order to rupture his plantar fascia to facilitate healing. A surgical cutting of the plantar fascia is often used to treat chronic plantar fasciitis. It apparently worked.

Most Useful Resources:
Deliberate Rupture of Plantar Fascia to Treat Plantar Fasciitis (PodiaPaedia)
Rupture the plantar fascitis to help? (Podiatry Experts)
Deliberate rupture of plantar fasica to treat plantar fasciitis (Podiatry Arena)

Treatment for a plantar fascia rupture typically involves a combination of conservative measures and, in some cases, surgical intervention:

Rest and immobilization: Initially, it’s important to rest the affected foot and avoid activities that worsen the pain. Immobilization through the use of a walking boot, cast, or crutches may be necessary to allow the plantar fascia to heal.

Ice therapy: Applying ice to the affected area as soon as it happend can help reduce pain and inflammation. Ice packs or frozen water bottles can be used for 15-20 minutes several times a day.

Pain management: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any medication.

Physical therapy: A physical therapist may provide specific exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles and tissues surrounding the foot and ankle. These exercises can help improve mobility, reduce pain, and promote healing.

Orthotic devices: Wearing orthotic devices, such as arch supports or custom-made shoe inserts, can help alleviate stress on the plantar fascia and provide support during the healing process.

Night splints: Night splints are devices worn while sleeping to keep the foot and ankle in a stretched position, which can help prevent the plantar fascia from tightening and promote healing.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT): In some cases, ESWT may be recommended. This treatment involves using shock waves to stimulate healing and reduce pain.

Surgical: If thee above conservative measure do not help, then surgery is an option.

Corticosteroid injections: Corticosteroid injections may be considered if conservative treatments are not effective. However, these injections are generally used sparingly due to potential risks.

Surgical intervention: Surgery is typically considered only when conservative treatments fail to provide relief. Surgical options may include plantar fascia release, where the tight or damaged portion of the plantar fascia is surgically cut or detached to relieve tension.

Oscon for Severs Disease

Severs disease or calcaneal apophysitis is a common problem causing pain in the heel of kids; it is an overuse type injury to the growth plate at the back of the heel bone. It is a self limiting problem that always comes right eventually when the growth in the heel bone stops. Several treatments have been advocated for it treatment. One of these is a dietary supplement called Oscon which consists of selenium and vitamin E. It is only supported by the use of testimonials and no clinical study has been done on it. It is not clear if it is worth trying or not as most children do get the minimum dietary requirements for Vitamin E and Selenium from their normal daily intake.

The best treatment for Severs disease is generally managing the activity levels and using a cushioned heel raise.

Most Useful Resources:
Oscon Supplements for Severs Disease (PodiaPaedia)
Discussion on Oscon and Severs (Podiatry Arena)
Does Oscon work for Severs disease? (Podiatry Experts)