Foreign body induced calcaneal osteomyelitis – A rare complication of barefoot walking

Abstract

Trivial injuries due to barefoot walking are common in developing countries.
Sometimes, patients do not seek medical attention for such incidents. If left untreated, certain
complications may follow. We report a 45 year old male farmer who was walking barefoot all
his life. He sustained multiple trivial injuries to his heel leading to subsequent development of
chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis. Radiographs revealed extensive lysis of the calcaneum. Surgical
debridement showed various soil particles measuring around 5mm to be present inside an eroded
osseous dome of calcaneum. Extensive surgical debridement and appropriate antibiotics was the
key to his recovery.