What is the calcaneus?

Our heel bone is also known as the calcaneus, and it is the biggest bone in the foot. On the back of the calcaneus, the gastrocnemius, plantaris, and soleus attach as the Achilles Tendon and are very important for us to walk and run. On the bottom of the calcanues, there are also several muscles that attach and are important for various foot functions. The plantar fascia also attaches on the bottom of the heel bone, and this is a common area of the foot that becomes inflamed in patients, requiring a podiatry visit.

Obesity and the Feet

The new year is here, and many of us have started thinking about shedding pounds and losing weight. Weight gain can cause a variety of foot aches and pains, including plantar fasciitis or heel pain, tendonitis, ankle sprains, arthritis, capusulitis, bursitis, stress fractures, and other conditions. Added pounds stress the normal structures in the feet and alter the way we walk and the way the structures function. Over time, this leads to pain. Many chronic health conditions can also lead to or be related to obesity and foot pain in some patients: peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, renal failure, heart disease, strokes, and others. This can complicate the foot pain and make treatment more important. Finding a weight loss solution that is effective and not harmful to the feet is essential. Swimming, water aerobics, biking, and sitting exercises are often the best options, but there are other forms of exercise that may work as well. Finding supportive shoes and possibly orthotic devices or inserts that provide cushioning and stability to the foot are very important. Additionally, a variety of treatments can be employed by a podiatrist to reduce your pain and make weight loss easier at the same time: padding, medicine, physical therapy, and other treatments. Foot pain? Give us a call 708-763-0580.