Bursitis in the Foot
What is foot bursitis? All the information on the causes, symptoms, and most effective ways to cure this pain in the heel or toes.
Symptoms and Causes
Bursitis is a condition that affects the synovial sacs, which cushion the movements of the joints, causing an inflammatory process.
When bursitis occurs in the foot, it may mainly affect the heel. Retrocalcaneal bursitis refers to the condition affecting the serous bursa located between the Achilles tendon and the calcaneus bone, while pre-Achilles bursitis affects the bursa at the back of the Achilles tendon. This inflammatory process may also affect the joints of the toes, which connect the phalanges and metatarsals, resulting in intermetatarsal bursitis.
Depending on its duration, foot bursitis is classified into two types:
- Acute bursitis: pain lasts a few hours and subsides when the cause is removed.
- Chronic bursitis: persists over time, with more intense pain and weakened joints, often occurring after several acute episodes.
Although it can affect anyone, foot bursitis is commonly found among athletes. Prevention and early detection are crucial to avoid complications and prevent the pain from becoming chronic.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of foot bursitis are:
- Pain in the heel or toes.
- Limited joint function.
- Inflammation.
- Stiffness in the posterior leg muscles.
- Metatarsalgia or pain in the front part of the foot.
- Difficulty performing specific movements such as running, jumping, or walking.
Causes
The primary cause of bursitis in the toes (typically the big toe) is the use of improper footwear. Retrocalcaneal and pre-Achilles bursitis are often caused by excessive or repetitive strain on the ankle.
Risk Factors
The main risk factors for developing foot bursitis are:
- Wearing overly tight footwear.
- Participating in sports like running or athletics.
- Failing to perform warm-up exercises or stretches.
- Having arthritis or other inflammatory diseases.
Complications
Bursitis may develop into a chronic condition where the pain severely impacts the patient’s quality of life. Additionally, there may be an infection in the synovial fluid that can spread to the entire joint or even to adjacent bones.
Prevention
To prevent foot bursitis, it is advisable to follow these recommendations:
- Choose appropriate footwear.
- Avoid repetitive movements.
- Warm up before exercise and stretch after practicing sports.
- Use ankle supports to minimize impact on the heel and ankle.
What type of doctor treats foot bursitis?
Podiatrists, orthopedists, and rheumatologists are the specialists who diagnose and treat foot bursitis.
Diagnosis
Specialist doctors diagnose bursitis through physical examination and analysis of the patient's symptoms and history. To confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, X-rays and ultrasound (the key test) are used to provide a clear view of the bones and joints of the foot.
Treatment
Some of the most commonly used treatments for foot bursitis include:
- Applying cold to the affected area, as it reduces inflammation and alleviates pain.
- Analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication, both topical and oral.
- If infection is present, antibiotics are prescribed.
- Physiotherapy to stretch muscles and improve posture and movement.
- Aspiration of synovial fluid to relieve pressure on the joints.
- Customized footwear or insoles to correct the foot's alignment and alleviate symptoms.
- Surgery to remove part of the calcaneus bone, which is only recommended when no other treatment has been effective.
