Lateral Posterior Heel Pain
If you have pain on the outside (same side as the little toe) back of the heel you could be sufffering from more than one condition. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Haglund's Deformity and Bursitis are often seen together. Heredity is a common cause of these conditions, which result in lateral posterior heel pain.
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Haglund's Deformity
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According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Haglund's Deformity is most common in women between the ages of 20 and 30. This condition has earned the term "pump bump" because it is frequently found in women who wear high-heeled shoes. The pressure on the back of the heel causes a bony prominence which can be red and quite painful.
Bursitis
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Pressure on the heel can also lead to Bursitis. A bursa is a fluid-filled sack which separates bones, tendons and skin. The bursa becomes inflamed and the soft tissue near the tendon becomes irritated when the heel bone, the Achilles tendon, and the shoe rub together.
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Causes
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Inherited traits, such as high arches or a tendency to walk on the outside of your heel can lead to lateral posterior heel pain.
Conservative Treatments
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Conservative treatments include open-backed shoes, heel lifts and anti-inflammatory medications.
Surgery
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If conservative treatments do not alleviate the lateral posterior heel pain you a surgeon can remove the bony heel prominence and painful bursa.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Andrea Rinaldi
