Hieltest

Hieltest is a term that appears in Dutch-language medical contexts and may refer to a heel-focused examination or diagnostic procedure. There is no universally defined procedure known as the “hieltest” in international medical terminology; the exact meaning depends on the source, discipline, and clinical setting. In podiatry and orthopedics, a heel assessment typically combines patient history with a physical examination to evaluate heel pain and function. Clinicians commonly inquire about onset, duration, activity-related factors, and footwear, and perform a physical exam that may assess tenderness on the plantar aspect of the heel or along the Achilles tendon, as well as ankle range of motion, gait, and weight-bearing tolerance.

Special tests may be employed to support a suspected diagnosis. For example, maneuvers used in plantar fasciitis evaluation include palpation of the plantar fascia and, in some cases, the windlass test. Imaging such as X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI can be used if the history or exam suggests structural issues like plantar fasciitis, heel spur, tendon pathology, or fracture.

In pediatric contexts within the Netherlands and Belgium, the term most closely related to a heel-based screening is the heel prick test (hielprik), used for newborn metabolic screening; this procedure is not typically described as a “hieltest.” The exact usage of the term can vary, and clarification from the source is often needed.