Question
QUESTION: My 13 year old son went to Dr today for ongoing heel pain.  XRay showed what the Dr thinks is a fracture in the small bone by growth plate in heel.  How should this be treated?

ANSWER: Hi Denise,

I would question that diagnosis.  It is not impossible but unlikely.  Did you see a podiatrist?  Heel pain in a 13 year old is common as you describe.  The growth plate looks very irregular on x-ray and to the untrained eye this may appear as a fracture. If you haven't seen a podiatrist I would make an appointment.  If you have seen a podiatrist, I would seek another opinion to be sure.  When you read the information below you will see the various treatments.

See the link below:
http://www.epodiatry.com/heel-pain-children.htm

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com


DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: In the xray calcaneus is clearly in 2 pieces behind growth plate and is not
attached yet.  Is this normal for a 13 year old involved in sports? We will see
a podiatrist next week.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Denise,

This can be the normal appearance of the heel of a 13 year old.  If there was an injury there could be a fracture of the growth plate but usually it is calcaneal apophysitis.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com


DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.