Evaluation of patient-related factors in heel pain

Abstract

Objectives: To define the source and localization features of heel pain and to evaluate demographic features and laboratory findings of patients with heal pain. Methods: The study included 132 patients (101 females, 31 males; mean age 43.8 years; range 9 to 72 years) who presented with heel pain. The patients were inquired for age, sex, occupation, height, weight, sports activities, the duration and characteristics of complaints, accompanying symptoms, and former treatments. Data were recorded in evaluation charts prepared for the study. Results: Heel pain was unilateral in 82 patients (62%) and bilateral in 50 patients (38%). Women accounted for 76.3% of the patient group. Most of the patients were leading a sedentary lifestyle (77%). Complaints of heel pain were more frequent in the forties (n=40; 30.3%). Of all the patients, only 10 patients (7.6%) were engaged in sports activities. Forty-one patients (31%; 38 females, 3 males) were regarded as obese according to body mass index. Fifty-one patients (38.6%) had major foot deformities, including pes planus (n=50) and pes cavus (n=1). Radiologically, heel spurs were determined in 89 (58%) and 25 (37%) heels with and without heel pain, respectively. Conclusion: Most of the patients suffering from heel pain can be treated conservatively if adequate efforts are made to determine the factors leading to heel pain.