The calcaneus bone is more commonly known as the heel of the foot. A bony growth on the undersurface (plantar surface or inferior surface) of this bone is called a heel spur (calcaneal exostosis).
Heel spurs may also occur at the back (posterior) of the heel, where the edge of the shoe may rub; this is also known as a "pump bump," or a posterior heel spur. A posterior heel spur may also form where the Achilles tendon inserts into the calcaneus (retrocalcaneal exostosis, or calcaneal step deformity).
The spur can be seen on x-ray and is often discovered incidentally in x-rays done for another reason. Pain in this region is typically not the result of the spur, but from inflammation of the tissue in the area. Many people have heel spur(s) and do not have pain in the area.
Common causes of pain in the heel include a bruise (contusion) of the fat pad in the heel, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and inflammatory diseases, including Reiter's syndrome.
Plantar calcaneal heel spurs are thought to be caused in part by tension (longitudinal traction) of soft tissues, such as the plantar fascia pulling against the bone, but recent research indicates plantar calcaneal spurs may be more likely formed as an adaptive response to vertical (axial) compression on the heel bone (Menz 7). Posterior heel spurs resulting in a calcaneal step deformity can form in response to tension of an abnormally tight Achilles tendon that causes chronic tendon inflammation and reactive bone formation at its insertion. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| CitedBarrett, S. L. , T. T. Pignetti, and B. R. Egly. "Endoscopic Heel Anatomy: Analysis of 200 Fresh Frozen Specimens." Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery 34 1 (1995): 51-56.Panchbhavi, V. K. "Plantar Heel Pain: Diagnosis and Workup." eMedicine. 17 Jun. 2009. Medscape. 24 Jun. 2009 <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1233178-diagnosis>. Menz, H. B. , K. B. Landorf, and S. E. Munteanu. "Plantar Calcaneal Spurs in Older People: Longitudinal Traction or Vertical Compression?" Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 11 1 (2008): 7-7. Singh, D. , G. Bentley, and S. G. Trevino. "Fortnightly Review: Plantar Fasciitis." BMJ 315 (1997): 172-175. |
| GeneralWapner, Keith L., et al. "Heel Pain, in Chapter 30, Foot and Ankle.." DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. Ed. Robert Atkinson. 2nd ed. 2 vols. Saunders, 2003. MD Consult. Elsevier, Inc. 25 Jun. 2009 <http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/145937721-3/856205125/1103/1155.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-8845-4..50032-6--cesec364_4718>.Kaplan, Robert J. "Regional Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes: Ankle and Foot." Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Review. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill, 2006. 138-139. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor