Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery (Asia Pacific)

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VOLUME 11 , ISSUE 1 ( January-March, 2024 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Idiopathic AVN of Calcaneus: A Case Report

MS Rudra Prasad, Chandan Kulkarni, Puneeth Pai, Amit K Jain

Keywords : Avascular necrosis, Calcaneum, Case Report, Heel pain, Idiopathic

Citation Information : Prasad MR, Kulkarni C, Pai P, Jain AK. Idiopathic AVN of Calcaneus: A Case Report. J Foot Ankle Surg Asia-Pacific 2024; 11 (1):46-49.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10040-1289

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 30-12-2023

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2024; The Author(s).


Abstract

Introduction: Calcaneus is an uncommon location for avascular necrosis (AVN) due to its robust vascular supply. Case description: We present a case of isolated idiopathic AVN diagnosed after excluding the common etiologies. The patient presented to us with heel pain and inability to bear weight, for which he was investigated; plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the foot revealed a lytic lesion in the body of the calcaneum. Excision biopsy of the lesion was carried out by a lateral approach, and the lesion was thoroughly curetted out. Infective etiologies were suspected after intraoperative (intra-OP) assessment of the material obtained after the biopsy and were sent for culture sensitivity and histopathology. The cavity was left in situ as there was good surrounding bone, and the limb was stabilized with a below knee slab. Results: The culture revealed no growth and tested negative for tuberculosis, and histopathology revealed features of AVN of the calcaneus, which was confirmed by two experienced pathologists. The patient was kept non weight bearing for 6 weeks. At 6 weeks, he was pain free and started full weight bearing. There was radiological evidence of healing of the lesion at 3 months and he is being followed up regularly. Conclusion: Thus, AVN of the calcaneum can be a rare cause of heel pain and has to be kept in mind when evaluating a patient with heel pain without a history of trauma.


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