Long-term issues after calcaneus fractures commonly include stiffness in the foot or ankle and limping. After the bone has completely healed, physical therapy activities such as walking without a limp and improving balance can be started.
Stress fractures of the calcaneus are a common injury among athletes who engage in repetitive high-impact activities like running or jumping.
Calcaneal stress fractures can be difficult to diagnose, particularly in young children due to false-negative radiographs. A diagnosis is typically made based on an MRI or bone scintigraphy examination.
Calcaneal Stress Fracture
Diagnosis
Heel pain caused by a stress fracture can often go undetected, but it’s essential to make the correct diagnosis. Once identified as a stress fracture, doctors can work more quickly and efficiently to treat the condition.
Stress fractures are breaks or cracks in your bones that occur when your body doesn’t get enough time to heal after physical exertion. These injuries are common among runners or people who increase their physical activity level frequently.
Your healthcare provider will physically examine your foot and ankle, then use x-rays to diagnose if you have a stress fracture. They may also order a bone scan or MRI to look for signs of damage.
A fractured calcaneus (heel bone) is typically the result of an impact injury such as falling from a height or being involved in a car accident.
The most noticeable symptoms associated with such a fracture include difficulty bearing weight on the foot and swelling or bruising at the site where it was broken.
Treatment
Calcaneal stress fractures can be the result of a traumatic injury such as a fall or automobile accident. Surgery is rarely necessary and most people recover from their calcaneal stress fracture using noninvasive treatments.
Calcaneal stress fractures are typically diagnosed through physical examination and medical imaging such as X-rays or MRI. These studies can determine the extent of injury and whether or not there is involvement of the subtalar joint, which moves your foot side to side when walking.
After an injury, typically a period of rest is necessary to allow the bone to heal and symptoms to subside.
After this has passed, gradual returns to running or sport are recommended in order to build leg strength and robustness. Physiotherapy may also be necessary in order to accelerate healing.
Recovery
Calcaneal stress fractures are a common type of heel pain caused by overloading the heel bone (calcaneus). This can occur from repetitive overuse or loading on the bone which could either be pulling or shearing forces.
Recovery typically begins with a period of reduced weight bearing activity accompanied by physiotherapy guidance. This could involve using crutches or an ankle protector, followed by gradually increasing load to allow return to activities and sports.
Resilience is essential for successful recovery. Establishing a supportive network and avoiding triggers that cause relapses will be invaluable throughout the process of healing.
Prevention
Stress fractures are tiny cracks in bones caused by repeated stress such as running long distances. They’re more common in weight-bearing bones like the calcaneus or heel bone, but can occur anywhere.
Calcaneal stress fractures are commonly experienced by roofers and climbers, as well as people who fall from height or in automobile accidents (where the foot is depressed against an accelerator or brake).
In these instances, the talus acts like a wedge and directs weight downward into the bone to cause it to develop an abnormal shape.
The injury typically presents around or inside the calcaneus, but can also affect the top of your heel bone. The pain may be worse when standing or walking but generally dissipates after resting.
Can You Walk With a Calcaneus Fracture?
It is not recommended to walk on a fractured calcaneus unless it is a very small or hairline fracture. If the fracture is fair-sized or if the bones have shifted, then crutches will be required for 4-6 weeks or surgery may be necessary to align the bones.
Walking too soon on a fractured calcaneus can cause the bone pieces to move out of place and become deformed, which can result in long-term complications such as pain, swelling, and stiffness in the foot or ankle.
If surgery is required for a calcaneus fracture, it can restore the normal shape of the bone but may be associated with complications such as wound healing problems, infection, and nerve damage.
After surgery or without surgery, it takes 3-4 months for the broken bone to heal. During this time, weight-bearing on the foot is not allowed.
Once the bone has completely healed, physical therapy activities such as walking without a limp and improving balance and mobility can begin.
How Painful Is a Calcaneal Fracture?
A calcaneal fracture, or a fracture of the heel bone, can be a painful and disabling injury. Patients with calcaneal fractures usually experience pain, bruising, swelling, heel deformity, and an inability to put weight on the heel or walk.
The pain is usually severe enough to require an emergency room visit.
If the fracture is caused by a stress fracture over time, then symptoms may be far more vague. There might be some pain that gets worse throughout the day and is frequently characterized as dull and achy. Bruising might or might not be visible.
Calcaneal stress fractures can also cause intense pain and make walking more difficult. Treatment for calcaneal fractures often involves surgery to reconstruct the normal anatomy of the heel and restore mobility so that patients can return to normal activity.
However, even with appropriate treatment, some fractures may result in long-term complications such as pain, swelling, and difficulty walking.
The severity of a calcaneus injury depends on several factors including the number of fractures, the amount and size of broken bone fragments, and how much each piece is out of place (displaced).
How Long Does It Take for a Calcaneal Stress Fracture to Heal?
The healing time for a calcaneal stress fracture can vary depending on the extent of the injury, but it typically takes about three months to heal. Treatment usually involves wearing a cast or splint and avoiding putting weight on the heel for up to eight weeks.
Partial weight-bearing or non-weight-bearing with a boot is recommended after that. Complete rest is advised for 6 to 8 weeks if a stress fracture is suspected.
It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and avoid any activities that may cause further damage during the healing process.
Generally, it is underestimated how long it takes for calcaneal stress fractures to heal, so patience and adherence to treatment protocols are crucial for proper recovery.
