Talalgias: Calcaneal congestion syndrome
The feet support the weight of our body throughout life.
For this reason, it is vitally important to take care of them on a daily basis to avoid areas of excessive pressure that, over time, can lead to gait problems and foot deformities.
Talalgia, also called calcaneal congestion syndrome, is a symptom that indicates heel pain and is produced by repetitive impacts on the back of the foot, such as prolonged exercise, walking with thin soles or inadequate footwear on hard surfaces.
In general, rest and custom orthotics are usually sufficient to solve the problem.
In some cases, where early symptoms of heel pain are ignored or insufficient rest is given, the problem worsens and becomes chronic.
Talalgias are mainly caused by plantar fasciitis or plantar muscle pain.
Other less frequent causes of heel pain can be:
- Injury or inflammation of the Achilles tendon.
- Bursitis.
- Haglund’s spur.
- Calcaneal spur.
- Peripheral neuropathy.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome.
If you suffer heel pain, consult a specialist to determine the cause and apply the most effective treatment.
Physical examination of the foot is essential along with the study of pressures to assess the degree and cause of pain.
It is important to distinguish between pain behind the heel and pain just below the heel.
Pain behind the heel is related to inflammation or alterations of the Achilles tendon, which inserts into the calcaneal bone that corresponds to the heel.
This bursitis is frequently observed in patients who wear footwear that continually rubs against the back of the heel or who have heel deformities (such as Haglund’s spur).
When this process becomes chronic, it can become disabling.
If you have pain in the back of the heel, you may have increased temperature, tenderness or even deformity on palpation.
The pain is more intense with the first steps in the morning.
Finally, an x-ray may be necessary to determine if there is bony deformity.
On the other hand, when pain manifests itself under the heel, it often indicates plantar fasciitis which can be caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia or by a heel spur.
When fasciitis becomes chronic, microfractures occur at the insertion of the plantar fascia causing calcium deposits that eventually form the spur.
Treatment in these cases requires orthopedic insoles with heel elevation, anti-inflammatory drugs and rest.
Solution to talalgias
In cases resistant to conservative treatment, minimally invasive surgery for resection of the spur may be necessary.
It is also possible to have a calcaneal spur that is asymptomatic and does not require surgical intervention.
Finally, a trauma or blow to the sole of the foot can produce a plantar contusion.
In these cases, it is advisable to perform an X-ray to rule out fractures and if there is no fracture, rest until the pain disappears.
For more information about this syndrome we suggest you contact our staff at the San Roman Podiatric Clinic.
