A fracture is a break in a bone from trauma or various disease conditions. The calcaneus or heel bone is a large bone found at the rear of the foot. Sometimes the injury is so severe that returning to high-impact activity is not possible.Sydney Orthopaedic Specialists, Orthopaedic Surgeons, Randwick, Sydney, NSW / For Patients / Foot & Ankle / Conditions / Heel Fractures Heel Fractures Returning to high-impact exercise (running, jumping, and hopping) takes longer. Most people can resume low-impact exercise (swimming, biking, or elliptical machine use) a few months after their injury. Returning to exercise and recreational activity can be difficult. When can I return to exercise and activity?įractures of the heel bone can be devastating injuries. This can be treated with bracing or surgery. This may be able to be treated surgically.Īdditionally, the tendons that pass along the outer border of the calcaneus can become damaged or irritated. Painful arthritis is treated with injections, bracing and sometimes a surgery to fuse the subtalar joint.Ĭalcaneus fractures may cause heel widening, making it difficult to fit into a shoe. Fractures that involve the subtalar joint can develop arthritis over time. Other complications can include permanent stiffness of the subtalar joint after a calcaneus fracture, limiting side-to-side motion of the foot. These usually resolve with local wound care, however, deep infections can occur and may need more surgical treatment. Healing of the surgical incision can be a problem after surgical treatment of heel bone fractures. Most people are able to return to work and recreational activity once their recovery is complete. Pain, stiffness, and swelling may last for months or indefinitely depending on the severity. Physical therapy can help with motion and improve the function of the foot.Ĭalcaneus fractures are significant injuries. The period of non-weightbearing usually lasts for 8-12 weeks. With a severe fracture, a fusion of the subtalar joint also may be recommended. A plate and/or screws may be used to hold the pieces of the fracture in place. Surgery may be recommended if the fracture involves the joint and pieces are displaced. The amount of time that the patient has to keep weight off of the foot depends on the severity of the fracture. The foot can be placed in a split or a removable fracture boot so that patients can work on ankle and foot motion. Some heel fractures can be treated without surgery. A CT scan may be needed to look more closely at the pieces of the fracture or to see aspects that are not seen on the X-rays. X-rays along with physical examination are used to diagnose fractures of the calcaneus. These do not usually involve the joint surfaces. Falls from a height and car accidents are the most common causes. Low-energy injuries such as twisting the ankle can cause smaller chips or bone fragments to break off from the edges of the calcaneus. High-energy injuries usually cause calcaneus fractures that involve the subtalar joint. In fractures with severe swelling, blisters may develop around the heel. Symptoms of a heel fracture include pain, swelling and bruising of the heel. Calcaneal fractures that involve the subtalar joint are usually the most severe. This joint allows side-to-side motion of the foot, which is important for walking on uneven surfaces. The subtalar joint is formed by the calcaneus and the bone above it, which is called the talus. There are two types of calcaneus fractures: one involves the subtalar joint and one does not involve the joint. A calcaneus fracture is a broken heel bone.
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