Subcutaneous Calcaneal Bursitis treatment

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

I’m pretty sure that DS has got a Subcutaneous Calcaneal Bursitis. We’ve just gone back from a skiing holiday and he’s not complained once but he’s just shown me a big swelling on the back of his heel. It’s not red or hot and not tender to touch unless you go mad!

Does anyone have any experience of this? What’s the best treatment? Should he see the GP? Google has brought up mixed results!

I had calcaneal bursitis as a teen, so treatment may have moved on since then.

In your teens the bones of the heels haven't yet fused, and X-rays showed that the swelling was pulling them apart. So I was immediately put on crutches, not allowed to weight-bear on the affected foot at all, and given hefty doses of anti-inflammatories.

After two weeks, my other foot followed suite. I now had bilateral calcaneal bursitis, which triggered blood tests to see if there was an underlying auto-immune condition. Fortunately there wasn't, and treatment continued conservatively - rest and anti-inflammatories. Legs elevated whenever possible, cool packs, crawling around the house to keep mobile.

I was walking with crutches after a couple of weeks, and off crutches after another 3-4 weeks. It plagued me for several years, and as soon as I got any twinge I would start anti-inflammatories and cool packs. It never knocked me back completely again, and didn't stop me skiing. Though skiing sometimes triggered it.

It's not something to take lightly in a teen as it can cause permanent changes in the heel if left untreated. I would except physiotherapy to be part of the treatment nowadays.

I do not recall having visible swelling, certainly my feet did not look dramatically different. The swelling was between the Achilles tendon and the bones.

Thanks, this is affecting the other bursa to yours. He’s always had really nobbly heels!

I missed that. I would still get him seen if this is the first time, especially if your ds is a child. You don't want to mess with the achilles tendon or growing bones.