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