Heel Conditions

The heel is made up of the calcaneus bone and supported by a network of muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissues, which together support the weight of the body and stress during movement. A heel spur is a bony protrusion on the underside of the heel bone, which may not be visible to the naked eye.

Heel fissures, also known as cracked heels, are a common foot condition in which the skin on the outer edges of the heel becomes flaky, hard and forms deep cracks that can become painful and bleed. Heel fissures mainly occur due to the drying of the skin (xerosis).

The calcaneus or heel bone is a large bone found at the rear of the foot. A heel fracture is a break in the heel bone due to trauma or various disease conditions. A fracture of the heel bone occurs most commonly due to a traumatic event such as falling from a height, twisting injuries, motor vehicle accidents and ankle sprains.

The heel is made up of the calcaneus bone and supported by a network of muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissues, which together support the weight of the body and stress during movement. Heel pain is a common symptom of excessive strain placed on the structures that form the heel.

A fracture is a medical condition in which a bone is cracked or broken. A calcaneal fracture is a break in the calcaneus or heel bone. It is a painful and disabling injury that most commonly occurs as a result of a high-energy event such as a motor vehicle accident or a fall from a height.

Sever’s disease is a painful inflammation of the growth plate in the heel. Growth plates are areas at the end of children’s bones that undergo changes so bone growth can occur. During this time, the muscles and tendons may not grow as fast as the bone causing tightness and pressure at the back of the heel.