LETS HEEL THE HEEL!

My heel hurts when I walk.  I cannot run anymore!  Hiking causes a lot of pain!

These are very common complaints I get nowadays with the every changing lifestyle of the population.  This healthy lifestyle is very good at combating other diseases like heart disease and obesity.  Therefore, we must not let heal pain stop us from doing the things we love.

Where is your pain?

The areas above are two of the most common.  They are commonly diagnosed as "ACHILLES TENDINITIS".

The word "achilles" refers to the largest tendon in the body which attaches to the heel.  For movie aficionados, you will remember this in the movie "Troy" starring Brad Pitt.  Achilles was an invincible warrior who was lamed by an arrow shot to his heel by the Trojan prince called Paris.

(from the Guardian Newspaper, UK)

"Tendinitis" on the other hand refers to inflammation of a tendon.

Though pain in the achilles is not exclusively due to inflammation, it is probably the most common reason.  Other causes include tears of the achilles and gout.  This has led to a broader term called "tendinopathy".

Pain in the achilles can be in two specific regions: A - "achilles tendinopathy" and B "insertional achilles tendinopathy".  

PAIN AND SWELLING

Pain and swelling are the most common symptoms.  Frequently it occurs whilst walking. This will lead to a limp and abnormal gait.

TREATMENT

In most circumstances, mild symptoms can be treated with anti inflammatory medication.  Stretching and physical taping has shown some benefit but the balance between physiological and pathological inflammation is difficult to gauge.  

The use of steroids is very controversial.  Steroids are potent anti inflammatory medication either used orally or injected.  Especially when given by an injection to the achilles, may lead to rupture.

Rupture of the achilles tendon

(from orthobullets)

Repeated bouts of achilles tendinopathy does lead to degenerative changes in the tendon. This may lead to ruptures of the achilles tendon.

Should conventional methods of treatment fail, other specialised methods of treatment can be instituted to resolve Achilles Tendinopathy.  This can range from highly specialised injections to surgical intervention.  Please discuss this with your Consultant Orthopaedic, Foot and Ankle Surgeon.

by

Dr Khairul Faizi Mohammad

Consultant Orthopaedic, Foot and Ankle Surgeon

Kuala Lumpur Foot Ankle Clinic (KLFAC)

Pantai Hospitals 

(Cheras and Kuala Lumpur)

T: +603-91452951

w:  KLFAC.com

DO YOU HAVE HEEL PAIN?

DO YOU HAVE HEEL PAIN?

Heel pain or "sakit tumit" is a very common condition.  It can be due to many reasons such as high levels of activity, poor shoeware and trauma.  This is a very debilitating condition and only those whose have suffered it will know how it affects ones life.

The heel is an area in which a multitude of problems could occur.  The diagnosis is made depending on the specific symptoms and its location.

Some of the symptoms that you may suffer from are sharp pains (eg like stepping on a nail), tightness or a stretching pain or numbness / radiating pain.  All of this will differ in magnitude and its location and specific examinations will provide vital evidence to conclude a diagnosis.

The typical locations of heel pain are shown below.

Some diagnoses are more common than others.  Typical diagnoses are plantar fasciitis and achilles tendinopathy.  Other rarer diagnoses include tarsal tunnel syndrome.  These diagnosis are not clear cut as the heel is a small area and there may be a significant overlap between one and another.  

Treatment options will depend on the diagnosis made and its best discussed with your Consultant Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon.

Don't let heel pain ruin your life!

Dr Khairul Faizi Mohammad

Consultant Orthopaedic, Foot and Ankle Surgeon

Kuala Lumpur Foot Ankle Clinic

Pantai Hospitals (Cheras and Kuala Lumpur)

T: +603-91452951

www.klfac.com