Plantar Heel Pain eMedicine Orthopedics

Description: Plantar heel pain is a commonly encountered orthopedic problem that can cause significant discomfort and a limp because of difficulty in bearing weight. Etiologies are multiple; therefore, a careful clinical evaluation is necessary for appropriate management. Nonsurgical or conservative care is successful in most cases.
Synonyms and related keywords: heel pain syndrome, plantar fasciitis, proximal plantar fasciitis, heel spur, plantar heel pain, tarsal tunnel syndrome, fat pad atrophy, heel pain, foot pain, plantar fascia rupture, lateral plantar nerve compression, calcaneal stress fracture, stress fracture of the calcaneus, bone tumor, bone cyst, osteomyelitis, spinal stenosis, prolapsed intervertebral disk, prolapsed intervertebral disc, arthritic inflammatory bowel disease, seronegative spondyloarthropathy, inflammatory arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
Author: Vinod K Panchbhavi, MD 2006