[Heel necrosis: a complication of geriatric diseases (author's transl)].

12 heel necroses were seen in a group of 596 geriatric patients. The patients average age was 73 years. 3 tentative causes for the development of heel necrosis were investigated. 1. Imobility, 2. Arterial occlusive disease, and 3. Diabetes. Immobility was demonstrable in all cases. Additionally, arterial occlusions of the leg were present in 7 and diabetes in 6 patients. The percentage of arterial occlusion and diabetes was significantly higher in the heel necrosis group than in the overall hospital cohort. The two diseases can be looked upon as risk factors for the development of heel necrosis.