CALCANEUM OSTEOSARCOMA A RARE CAUSE OF HEEL PAIN: HOW TO PREVENT DELAY IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND THE REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Abstract

Pain around the foot and ankle joint is often misdiagnosed as plantar fasciitis and may lead to delayed diagnosis of osteosarcoma in foot. Delay in diagnosis can lead to adverse prognosis and poor survival outcomes. We present a patient who had primary osteosarcoma of the calcaneum that was initially diagnosed and treated for plantar fasciitis, resulting in a delay of diagnosis. The patient eventually was treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by below-knee amputation and adjuvant chemotherapy. This case highlights the need to maintain an index of suspicion with close scrutiny of the radiographs. We suggest few clinical recommendations and need for a great suspicion while evaluating a mass arising from the calcaneum.