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Systemic causes of heel pain.
1Connecticut Surgical Group, 85 Seymour Street #409, Hartford, CT 06106, USA. ESOOGYLLIS@COMCAST.NET
Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
|August 10, 2010
Summary
Most heel pain resolves with conservative treatment. Persistent heel pain may indicate underlying systemic causes requiring thorough evaluation beyond typical plantar fasciitis. Diagnosis relies on detailed history, physical exam, and tests.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rheumatology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Heel pain is a common ailment, often attributed to plantar fasciitis.
- Many cases resolve with conservative management, but recalcitrant cases pose a diagnostic challenge.
- Systemic conditions can manifest as heel pain, necessitating a broader differential diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the importance of considering systemic causes for persistent heel pain.
- To guide clinicians in diagnosing heel pain that does not respond to standard treatments.
- To highlight the diagnostic process for complex heel pain cases.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentations of heel pain.
- Emphasis on detailed patient history and physical examination.
- Integration of laboratory tests and radiological studies for diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Most heel pain cases are successfully treated with conservative care.
- Recalcitrant heel pain warrants investigation for less common, systemic etiologies.
- A systematic diagnostic approach aids in identifying the correct cause of persistent heel pain.
Conclusions:
- Persistent heel pain requires a high index of suspicion for underlying systemic diseases.
- Comprehensive evaluation is crucial when heel pain does not respond to typical plantar fasciitis treatments.
- Accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause is essential for effective management of refractory heel pain.
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