Are you struggling with heel pain in Singapore? You’re not alone. An estimated 10 to 15% of cases of foot problems are related to heel pain1. It is also the most common foot problem that most people tend to ignore at its early stage and can severely impact your life. In this comprehensive guide, we aim to provide you with all the information you need to understand, diagnose, and manage heel pain effectively. If you need help with your condition, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Iselin’s disease, also known as apophysitis of the fifth metatarsal base, is a child foot condition that causes pain in the outer foot. It is a type of osteochondrosis that causes pain at the styloid process of the fifth metatarsal – the long bone at the outer foot that connects to the smallest toe. This condition typically affects children and adolescents active in sports like basketball, football, or ballet.
Toe walking, commonly referred to as “walking on tippy toes” by parents, is a condition to describe children who walk without heels touching the ground. Toe walking is a form of gait disorder associated with several underlying neurological or muscular conditions, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and autism. If left untreated, toe walking can lead to other injuries and conditions to the lower limb.
Juvenile bunions, or juvenile hallux abductovalgus, are a type of foot deformity that affects the big toe joint of children or teenagers under the age of 18 years, where the big toe curves towards the lesser toes. The result of the deviation is a bony protrusion over the inner side of the big toe joint. The appearance of a juvenile bunion is similar to an adult bunion, with the only difference being the age of onset.
Juvenile bunions are considered a progressive deformity; therefore, it is expected that the big toe’s deviation worsens as a child grows up. Children affected by juvenile bunions will often not experience any discomfort in its early stages, however, as the deformity worsens, they will usually complain of pain and redness around the big toe joint.
Charcot’s foot, also known as Charcot neuroarthropathy or Charcot’s joint, is a progressive disorder characterized by the breaking and dislocation of the bones, joints, and soft tissues in the foot and ankle. It is a severe diabetic foot or neuropathic complication of the foot. The condition often results in deformity, instability, and an increased risk of ulcers or infections. It primarily affects individuals with peripheral neuropathy, especially those with diabetes, which can lead to a loss of sensation in the affected area.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common and serious condition affecting the arteries or blood vessels outside the heart and brain, leading to reduced or blocked blood flow. The lower limb (leg and feet) are most commonly affected and can lead to amputations.
People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing PAD because the high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels and impair blood flow. As a result, people with diabetes must manage their condition effectively and be vigilant about potential PAD symptoms.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) results from nerve damage caused by long-standing high blood sugar levels. It is a common complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. DPN primarily affects the nerves in the legs and feet but can also involve the arms and hands. DPN generally develops gradually and may lead to complications that can greatly impact the quality of life.
A diabetic foot ulcer is one of the diabetic foot complications and is the leading cause of lower limb amputation in Singapore. It is a type of wound that can occur on the feet of individuals with diabetes. Diabetes can cause nerve damage and poor blood flow to the feet, leading to a loss of sensation and slower healing of wounds. Such damage makes individuals with diabetes particularly vulnerable to foot ulcers, which can become serious if not treated promptly and adequately.
Fungal skin is an infection of the skin caused by dermatophytes fungi and can occur in any part of the body. Fungal skin infections of the foot, widely referred to as “athlete’s foot” or “foot rot“, are medically termed tinea pedis and are a very common skin condition of the foot. Patients with tinea pedis will often complain of itch, dry flaky skin or even tiny blisters on the affected areas.
Corns and calluses are areas of thickened and hard skin (hyperkeratosis) on the body that forms due to pressure and friction. It is most commonly found on the palms of our hands or the soles of our feet. Calluses are generally painless until it becomes very thick where it starts to cause damage to the underlying tissue. Corns, however, are usually painful when pressure is applied and are often misdiagnosed as plantar warts.
It is a myth that corns have “roots” and will resolve when the “roots” are removed. Corns do not have roots and the only effective way to resolve corns is by reducing the amount of friction and pressure over the area.
Osteochondrosis is a group of medical disorders affecting the growth and development of bone and cartilage in young children and adolescents. It can affect any joints of a developing child but are most common in the hip, knee, ankle, and foot. Osteochondrosis can cause significant pain and affect the child’s ability to walk.
Kohler’s disease is a rare child’s foot condition that causes midfoot pain and limp. It is a type of osteochondrosis in children and is also known as avascular necrosis of the navicular bone and affects the inner side of the foot arch. Kohler’s disease commonly occurs in children between 3 and 7 years old and is more common in boys. If left untreated, the condition can limit the foot motions and change your child’s gait pattern.
