Heel

The heel bone (calcaneus) is a small bone located at the back of the foot. It is the largest bone in the foot and plays a crucial role in supporting body weight and enabling movement, as it forms part of the joint with the ankle and contributes to the formation of the foot arch. The calcaneus absorbs and transfers loads during walking, running, or jumping. In physiotherapy, attention is often focused on the calcaneus when addressing issues such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and other forms of foot pain, as improper loading or injuries to this bone can affect overall biomechanics and comfort during movement.

How can physiotherapy help you?

Physiotherapists frequently treat the following conditions and issues affecting the heel bone:

• Plantar fasciitis: inflammation of the plantar fascia, a tough membrane that connects the heel bone to the toes and supports the foot arch. Symptoms include heel pain, especially in the morning or after prolonged sitting.
• Heel spur: a bony growth on the heel bone that can develop due to long-term stress and inflammation at the point where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel.
• Achilles tendinopathy: inflammation or injury of the Achilles tendon, which extends from the calf muscles to the heel bone. Symptoms include pain behind the heel or along the tendon.
• Heel bursitis: inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac located between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone. Bursitis can cause pain and swelling at the back of the heel.
• Heel fractures: often caused by falling from a height or direct impact to the heel. A fractured calcaneus can cause severe pain, swelling, and inability to bear weight on the foot.
• Osteochondral lesions of the calcaneus: injuries to the cartilage or bone in the heel joint, which may involve cracks or wear. These lesions can cause pain and difficulty in movement.