Yao Ming Retires due to foot injuries
Infracalcaneal Exostosis
An infracalcaneal exostosis is term that describe a large bony prominence or spur on the bottom of the heel bone or calcaneus. In some patients, this bone spur can actually be large enough to to be felt on the bottom of the heel.
The bone spur is caused by traction or pulling on the heel bone or calcaneus by tiny muscles on the bottom of the foot. Many people correlate “heel spurs” with plantar fasciitis. This is a false statement. The plantar fascia in actuality, inserts just lateral to the plantar heel spur. It is the small musculature that causes formation of the bone spur. The reason why the muscles do this is secondary to abnormal and uncontrolled foot mechanics.
Most patients have 1 – 1.5 inches of fat pad on the bottom of the heel that aids in cushioning and shock absorption for the calcaneus. In older patients who have experienced atrophy or thinning of the fat pad, the bone spur can be prominent and very painful.
Treatment includes cushioning of the infracalcaneal exostosis, wearing appropriate shoe gear to soften the impact of the heel with walking or running. Although not available in our office, some plastic surgeons and aestheticians are offering collagen injection therapy to the plantar aspect of the heel to aid in cushioning. It must be known that this is only a temporary solution and often requires multiple periodic injections.
For those patient who cannot find relief cushioning, padding or shoe therapy, surgery is a viable option. Surgery involves removing the plantar heel spur or infracalcaneal exostosis and making the bottom surface of the heel bone flat and smooth. A extended period of non-weightbearing is suggested due to possible risk of stress fracture with early walking following the surgery.
If you have a prominent heel spur on the bottom of the heel, please visit our office for a clinical evaluation. Call 972-542-2155 for an appointment today.
Traumatic Heel Pain
If you have had trauma to the heel, please click on the following link to read more:
Traumatic Heel Pain
Neurologic Heel Pain
Please click the following link to read about the various causes of heel pain caused by nerve disorders.
Neurologic Heel Pain
Mechanical Heel Pain
Please click the following link to learn about the various types of mechanical heel pain:
Mechanical Heel Pain
Custom Molded Flipflops – FLOPTHOTICS!
Advanced Foot & Ankle Center is now offering custom molded flip flops. They are called Flopthotics. Custom molded orthotics are great, however, wearing them in tennis shoes all summer can sometimes be a drag. Enjoy the comfort and support of a custom orthotic with style and breatheability of a flipflop.
The casting process involves making a cast of the foot using a foam impression. The foam impression is then sent to Barcelona, Spain to Edser Labs for manufacturing. There is a guaranteed 10 day turn- around time for the flip flops.
Advanced Foot & Ankle Center is now offering a package deal in which a patient can get a pair of regular custom orthotics that fit into normal shoegear (the cost depends on your insurance benefits) and for additional $150.00, the Flopthotics can be casted for as well. If the regular custom molded orthotics are not purchased or not wanted and you only want the custom molded flipflops, the Flopthotics are $200.00. The Flopthotics are not a covered item through insurance. Take advantage of this wonderful deal offered. This deal will last for 90 days starting 4/28/2011.
Enjoy the summer in a pair of custom molded flipflops. Visit edserlabs.com for more pictures and additional information regarding the Flopthotics.
Call 972-542-2155 to schedule an appointment today. Advanced Foot & Ankle Center is located in McKinney, TX and Prosper, TX.
