Treatments of the Heel

The calcaneus, or heel bone, plays an important role in walking. A calcaneal osteotomy is a controlled break of the heel bone, performed by a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon, to correct deformity of the foot and ankle. 

The calcaneus is the heel bone. Fractures or breaks of the calcaneus commonly occur after a fall from a height or car accident. Treatment of these fractures may require surgery.

The goal of heel fracture surgery is to restore the shape of the heel bone as close to normal as possible. Restoration of normal alignment and contour is considered the best way to restore function and minimize pain.  

A Haglund's deformity is a bump in the back of the heel bone. The Achilles tendon runs over the bump. Patients with a Haglund's deformity may or may not have pain. Sometimes, the pain is caused by shoes rubbing against the bump. At other times it can be part of pain of degeneration in the Achilles tendon due to the pressure placed there. It is not always clear how much of this Achilles tendon problem is due to the Haglund's deformity.

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. It helps support the overall shape of your foot, especially when standing. Irritation and scarring of the plantar fascia, known as plantar fasciitis, is one of the most common causes of heel pain.