Pieter Roos Podiatrist
Education in Pretoria

Podiatrist with 10 years International Experience in:    General Diabetes Foot Care, Chronic Wound Care Management, Peadiatrics foot development, Sports Related Injuries, Minimal Invasive Nail surgery andLower Limb Biomechanical Evaluation and support and correction, General Podiatry Service, Diabetes Education, .

The calcaneus (heel bone) is the largest bone in the foot and is the first to hit the ground when walking. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain and is due to a strain of the long ligament along the bottom of the foot. Stress fractures, which is an abnormal reaction of bone to stress can occur in those that are very active (eg athletes) or have weaker bones (eg osteoporosis) Another cause of heel pain is problems in the calf muscles that refer pain to the heel (myofascial trigger points) or pain referred from the lower back via the nerves from the back to the heel. Heel pain, unlike the heel spurs, that occur in adults is very uncommon in children. As a pronated foot is common in children with this problem, a discussion regarding the use of foot orthotics long term may be important. Unfortunately, Sever’s disease can be very painful and limit sport activity of the child while waiting for it to go away, so treatment is often advised to help relieve it. There are no known long term complications associated with Sever’s disease. Cracked heels are a common foot problem that are often referred to as heel fissures. Cracked heels are commonly caused by dry skin (xerosis), and made more complicated if the skin around the rim of the heel is thick (callus). The skin is normally dry and may have a thick callus which appears as yellow or dark brown discolored area of skin, especially along the inside border of the heel. The thickened dry skin (callus) around the heel that is more likely to crack is often due to mechanical factors that increase pressures in that area (eg the way you walk). insoles may be used to alter the way you walk to prevent the thick skin from developing (these are indicated in cases of heel callus and are not suitable for all cases). A heel spur is a calcium deposit on the underside of the heel bone. Although heel spurs are often painless, they can cause heel pain. They are frequently associated with plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the fibrous band of connective tissue (plantar fascia) that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot. Heel spurs are often caused by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, and repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone. Walking gait abnormalities,which place excessive stress on the heel bone, ligaments, and nerves near the heel Running or jogging, especially on hard surfaces Poorly fitted or badly worn shoes, especially those lacking appropriate arch support Excess weight and obesity. Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk. Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the ligament that supports your arch. You walk, stand, or run for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces. If you have foot pain at night, you may have a different problem, such as arthritis, or a nerve problem such as tarsal tunnel syndrome. Your symptoms, such as where the pain is and what time of day your foot hurts most. How active you are and what types of physical activity you do. Your doctor may take an X-ray of your foot if he or she suspects a problem with the bones of your foot, such as a stress fracture.