If you were recently in a fall injury, you might have hurt your foot. Oftentimes, your heel is the part of your foot to strike the ground first. If you have a heel fracture, would you know how to identify it? What are the treatment options for heel fractures? We’ve carefully explained that in this article!

Are you currently living in Celebration? Would you love to have a foot specialist carry out a thorough examination of your heel and foot? Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute is the right team to consult!

What You Should Know About Heel Fractures

The calcaneus, which is also referred to as your heel bone, is a unique bone, often compared to a hardboiled egg. It has a hard external surface that guides the spongier, softer bone on the inside. When a fracture occurs, that great design is impacted negatively. When the exterior surface breaks, it is easier for the bone to collapse and fragment. When that happens, it is often tricky to address. Due to their complexity and the tendencies that it could heal incorrectly, surgery is usually recommended in most cases. But are falls the only cause of these fractures? No! Other causes of heel calcaneus fractures include:

  • Car Accidents- This happens when a vehicle abruptly stops. 
  • Sporting Activities- This includes football, running, soccer, etc. 
  • Athletics- This involves activities that occur on rigid surfaces like volleyball, basketball, and hockey.  

Classifications Of Calcaneus Fractures

  1. Intra-articular Fracture- This type of fracture involves the joint that offers stability to the foot. It can also involve severe damage to the cartilage in that region. Intra-articular fracture is more painful than an extra-articular fracture. 
  2. Extra-articular Fracture- This type of fracture doesn’t involve the subtalar joint. Nevertheless, it doesn’t suggest that they can be managed carelessly. It can result in fragmented fracture and, in most cases, requires surgery. 

How To Treat Calcaneus Fractures

  1. Visit A Specialist’s Office- One of the first steps to take when confirming a calcaneus fracture is to visit a foot and ankle clinic. They will ask about your symptoms and how the injury happened. They might also ask you to perform a few physical tests. To confirm their suspicions, your doctor might finally carry out an x-ray or use a similar imaging device. 
  2. Treatment Options- The treatment administered to you will be based on the imaging test. If you have a displaced fracture, surgery will be recommended. If there is swelling, your doctor might allow it to subside before surgery is performed. 

When there is a non-fragmented fracture, your doctor would likely recommend 2-3 weeks of non-operative treatment accompanied by a series of appointments. These non-operative treatments could include rest, compression, ice, and elevation. It could also request a walking boot to protect the area and guides against stress as healing takes its course.  

  1. Post-op Rehabilitation Recommendations- After the surgery, follow every instruction given by your doctor to avoid a setback or operation failure. If your fracture is minor, it might take you 3-4 months to get back to your activities. However, if it is severe, it might take up to a year or even more. 

Contact Us

Do you live in Celebration and need additional information about heel fractures? Contact us at Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute to meet our trained and talented orthopedic team.