Hello, everyone. I am writing in regards to a heel pain I have had for approximately 4 months now. I waited and waited to see about it because I figured it would go away on its own....and of course, it didn't. I went to see a foot specialist in regards to what was causing the pain and this is what I am told. I have a callus on my heel. She said that it actually looks like I may have stepped on something and it lodged into my foot (due to a small pencil size hole in the middle of the callus) and formed the callus around it. It is very painful when I step on my heel....and as most of you know, that's the first place you put pressure when you take a step. I came to this website and read where surgery should be the last resort. The dr. is wanting to do surgery to remove the callus....or as she put it, it will just keep coming back. I would like another opinion on this before I let her cut my heel. Anyones suggestions would be great. Thanks.

Cindy

Dear Cindy,
I guess the first thing I would like to ask is what kinds of conservative measures have been done so far?Calluses form due to an increase in pressure to a specific area. It is actually quite common to have a callus at the heel.Since you have included in your posting that you have a small pin size hole with a callus that surrounds it. That sounds like either an area of increase pressure or maybe it results from a foreign body that has lodged its way into your tissue. Were there X-rays taken? Metallic foreign bodies and glass (to some extent) can be detected on xray. Xrays can also rule out any bony deformity maybe missed on physical exam.

Prior to surgery has the Podiatrist debrided or removed the hard tissue from the area? If so, was the foreign body detectable or was it too minute to see at that time? Also have they tried applying a dispersion pad around the area? this may not completely solve the promblem but it would instead slow the progression or growth of the tissue in that area. If applying a dispersion pad works well you can have an orthotic made with a cut out in the heel area to accommadate for the area of increase pressure. Also you may want to inquire about what type of surgery your doctor will be performing....

It is sometimes difficult to tell you something definitive without actually seeing the problem. But this advice is worth a shot, so good luck and keep us posted.