Bone Tumors In the Heel

Bone tumors in the heel are extremely rare and can be one of the causes of heel pain. 
There are three types of tumors in the heel: intraosseus lipoma, osteoid osteoma, and unicameral bone cyst. 

An intraosseus lipoma is a benign tumor made of lipose or fat tissue that develops inside the bone. On an X-ray, it would look like a hole in the bone. Males are affected more than females and it can occur in people ages 5 to 85. Treatment for this type of tumor is through surgical excision and using a bone graft to fill in the space. 
An osteoid osteoma is also a benign tumor that appears like a centralized hardened bone surrounded by soft tissue. Men are twice as likely to be affected as females, but it is most common in children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 19. The pain from this tumor is usually worst at night and can be relieved with aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Pain will usually subside after two and a half years, but if the pain worsens or the patient cannot endure the pain, surgical excision will be performed. 

A unicameral bone cyst is a fluid filled cyst that is found in children. This cyst is found near the edge of the heel bone, making the bone prone to fracture. The cyst is usually removed and filled with bone graft. 
None of these bone tumors in the heel are life threatening, but they can cause failure fractures and severe pain in some patients. X-rays are typically prescribed to rule out bone tumors in heel pain patients. 
Reference: FAANT
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
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