Bursitis???

Bursitis???

Michael B. Alexander

2/22/2001

Dear list,

I have a five yearold patient with cerebral palsy.

A short while ago I made her hinged ankle foot orthosis - since then she has had a serious inflammation around the back of the heel - I think it is a calcaneal bursitis that flares up due to friction/ movement of the calcaneus in the orthosis during ambulation -however the heel doesn't seem to be losing its position so I am not sure. When using the orthosis and then removing it ( end of day etc.) the area flares up, and is painful. It then takes at least a week until it settles down , only to flare up again when use is resumed.
I have tried making the heel area with as close contact as possible to somehow limit motion of the calcaneaus and this did not change the situation. I have also tried padding the area with Beckers anti-friction material - no go.

Before she had hinged afo's she had non articulated afos and there were no problems.
I really don't want to take away the DF movement at the ankle again.

Any suggestions as to why this is happening and what is the best way to treat it?

Any suggestions will be most welcome

Thanks,
Vivian Alexander CO