Sinz disease (Haglund) is a fairly common disease among people who lead an active lifestyle and go in for sports. In general, such a lifestyle has many risks in terms of injuries and problems with the limbs and tendons, but without sports and movement it is impossible to live fully. It is more often manifested in girls 13-16 years old. The cause of the occurrence is various injuries of the heels and overstrain of the Achilles tendon or other tendons of the muscles of the sole of the foot during various sports and energetic dances.
The scientific disease is called "osteochondropathy of the apophysis of the calcaneus." This disease was identified and described at the very beginning of the last century by a Swedish surgeon with an interesting surname Haglund, later it was also studied by Schinz himself, in whose honor the ailment was named. Shinz’s disease in children who are still very young (under ten years old) is very rare, because all their bones and cartilage are soft and supple. It begins with the occurrence of acute as well as gradually intensifying pain in the area of the calcaneal tuber, especially after a certain load, for example, a long walk. A swelling appears over the calcaneal tubercle without visible signs of acute inflammation - burning and redness. If the foot is straightened or palpated, then in this area of the heel the pronounced pain will immediately make itself felt. Most often, the painful process occurs on one side of the heel.
How to identify Schinz disease by external signs? Patients walk with a limp and fully leaning on the forefoot. It is difficult to diagnose the disease with an X-ray, because even in normal condition in children, the heel apophysis has up to four ossification nucleoli, of which the middle usually has a seal. The adjacent surface of the apophysis and calcaneus, as a rule, have notches. X-ray Xinz's disease can be determined if the densified ossification core has a spotty structure.
If Schinz’s disease is diagnosed, conservative treatment is usually prescribed. With the appearance of severe pain, which is noticeably aggravated by resting on the heel, the inflamed limb must be fixed with a plaster cast and exclude any load. Naturally, you can not play sports, you need to try to walk as little as possible, relying on the affected limb. At the same time, it is necessary to conduct electrophoresis of the drug - novocaine, carefully alternating it with agents that dilate blood vessels and potassium with iodide, ultrasound, diathermy and warming compresses at night. Ozokerite applications and warm baths will also give a good effect in the fight against the disease. After the pain recedes, you can resume the load on the treated limb, but only in comfortable shoes with a wide and stable heel. You can’t go to shoes with solid soles, this increases the load on the injured limb, delaying the healing process. To reduce the load on the heel, also use a special insole with laying transverse and longitudinal (outer and inner) arches. Such insoles you will find in pharmacies in your city and in stores specializing in the sale of orthopedic shoes.
If you (or your child) have been diagnosed with Sinz’s disease, don’t worry, it will certainly end in your full recovery! Yes, the disease is quite long and lasts from one and a half to two years, but do not despair. Treatment is always aimed at minimizing pain and quick recovery of all functions lost only for a while. Do not give up active sports because of temporary difficulties! After all, life is a movement!