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Calcaneal osteomyelitis following steroid injection: a case report
Foot & Ankle
|August 1, 1985
Summary
A 71-year-old man experienced persistent heel pain, initially treated for plantar fasciitis. Diagnosis revealed calcaneal osteomyelitis, a rare complication requiring partial calcanectomy, highlighting the need for early differential diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, often treated with corticosteroid injections.
- Persistent or atypical heel pain warrants a thorough diagnostic evaluation beyond initial presumptive diagnoses.
Observation:
- A 71-year-old male presented with intractable heel pain localized to the calcaneal tuberosity.
- Previous treatment with steroid injections for presumed plantar fasciitis provided no relief.
Findings:
- Diagnostic workup, including imaging and potentially biopsy, confirmed calcaneal osteomyelitis.
- Surgical intervention in the form of a partial calcanectomy was necessary for treatment.
Implications:
- This case highlights calcaneal osteomyelitis as an under-recognized complication following treatments for plantar fasciitis.
- Clinicians should consider osteomyelitis in the differential diagnosis of refractory heel pain, even after initial treatments.
- Early identification and management of calcaneal osteomyelitis are crucial to prevent severe complications and ensure optimal patient outcomes.