Simple bone cysts, also known as unicameral bone cysts are vague in etiology; however intraosseous lipomas, myxomas, and vascular abnormalities have been proposed as predisposing factors. Unicameral bone cysts typically occur in the metaphyseal-diaphyseal regions of long bones within the first 10 years of life. These unicameral bone cysts are considered a benign self-limiting disease that spontaneously heals after skeletal maturity. These cysts are relatively common in the humerus, femur, and tibia; yet rarely develop in the calcaneous. Unicameral bone cysts in the calcaneous are less susceptible to pathological fractures that are typically associated with cysts occurring in the femur and humerus. Since the cysts are usually located in the anterior aspect of the calcaneous, physiological stresses are lower. Calcaneal cysts, like all unicameral bone cysts, are typically asymptomatic with incidental diagnosis as the result of another injury. Most calcaneal unicameral bone cysts can be treated conservatively with few needing surgical intervention. In addition the incidence of multiple cysts within individuals is extremely rare.
Last date updated on July, 2014
