Bone Cyst
Cysts are hollow spaces filled with fluid that can occur in various areas of the human body, including the bone, and especially in the heel bone. However, it should be noted that the calcaneus is a rather rare localization for the occurrence of a bone cyst. These benign changes of the bone can mostly be observed in people under the age of twenty years. Often, the bone cysts are diagnosed in the context of a calcaneal fracture, whereby in these cases the fracture was usually promoted by the existing bone cyst.
Bone tumors
Benign and malignant tumors can also develop on the bone. It should be noted that bone tumors of the calcaneus are a real rarity. Fatigue fracture of the calcaneus A fatigue fracture can occur with repeated overstraining of the calcaneus, for example in marathon runners or extensive marches.An already pre-diseased bone favors the occurrence of such fractures. An example of this is osteoporosis, which is characterized by reduced bone density.
Apophysitis calcanei
This clinical picture can mainly be observed in active children and adolescents in the growth phase (about eight to sixteen years of age), with girls usually becoming ill earlier than boys. This leads to a softening of the apophysis of the calcaneus. Apophyses are a special feature of the child’s skeleton.
These bone nuclei are located in the area of the growth plate (epiphysis) and later mature into bony protrusions that serve as a starting point for muscles and ligaments. A chronic inflammation of the Achilles tendon (Achilles tendon endinitis) is in most cases caused by constant strain. In addition, tissue quality naturally deteriorates with increasing age, i.e. tissue deteriorates naturally (degeneration).
Favored by the tendon inflammation, tissue damage and even partial tears of the Achilles tendons can gradually occur. If the tendon is acutely overstressed, an inflammation can also develop. In extreme cases, the tendon ruptures, i.e. the Achilles tendon tears.
In both acute and chronic overloading, strains involving jumping, running and sprinting performance play a role. A complete rupture, i.e. a rupture of the Achilles tendon, is the second most common location for ruptured tendons after ruptured shoulder tendons. The Achilles tendon can rupture in different sections, but most often it occurs at mid-height of the tendon.
More rarely, however, tears occur in upper and lower sections. In special cases, there may also be a tear at the heel bone or tears at the transition between muscle and tendon. The main reason for a rupture of the Achilles tendon is high intensity sports activities. With reduced tissue quality, the Achilles tendon can tear even under loads that can be considered normal. Finally, a kick or impact against the tense Achilles tendon or injections with cortisone can also be responsible for a tear in tendon problems.
