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     (hallux rigidus)
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     (plantar fasciitis)
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Insertional tendinopathy

Insertional tendinopathy (heel pain) occurs when the back of the heel bone, where the tendon inserts into the bone, becomes painful and swollen. It tends to develop when the tendon is rubbing on a bone spur or another type of bone growth.

Symptoms of insertional tendinopathy include tenderness on the lower back of the heel and difficulties in overflexing the foot. Pain tends to be worse after exercise and can become constant. Sudden increases in running, hill running and landing solidly on the heels when running are closely linked to insertional tendinopathy.

Insertional tendinopathy is not uncommon. Care with shoes, an insole to lift the heel away from the back of the shoe and physiotherapy are usually sufficient treatment. For stubborn cases, surgery to reduce the inflammation (bursitis) and sometimes shave away the prominent bone is helpful, but carries a long recovery period. Keyhole techniques are now available to reduce the scarring associated with this procedure for insertional tendinopathy.

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