Retrocalcaneal heel pain, also known as insertional Achilles tendinopathy, can occur in both sedentary and athletic populations. Accordingly, this author offers a primer on posterior heel anatomy and insights on conservative and surgical management in these patient populations.

Yes. Lowell Weil Jr., DPM, MBA, FACFAS cites emerging research on low-energy ESWT and says it can be a cost-effective treatment for plantar fasciitis and other conditions.

   When musculoskeletal extracorporeal shockwave (ESWT) was introduced in the United States with its first FDA approval in 2000, there was a great deal of controversy and posturing among manufacturers of ESWT technologies. Each company was determined to create an exclusive market for itself at the expense of its competition.

Given the challenges of stump neuromas in the foot, this author offers insights on the etiology, conservative management and surgical options such as nerve capping and transplantation.

   The stump neuroma is a natural and expected occurrence after nerve injury. When damaged, the proximal nerve segment attempts to regenerate, leading to a bulb-shaped thickening or stump. Trauma is a common cause for these injuries throughout the body.

   Regardless of their specialty, clinicians will encounter patients who are affected by diabetes mellitus, infection and wound healing issues. Therefore, the emerging, evolving science of nanomedicine and how this technology could positively enhance patient outcomes would be of great interest to all physicians including DPMs.

   The management of posterior heel pain can be a perplexing diagnostic and therapeutic problem. The differential diagnosis is extensive and even the skilled clinician can experience difficulty establishing an accurate diagnosis. Of the challenging conditions affecting the back of the heel, the retrocalcaneal exostosis may be the most onerous to treat.